PART III SPECIAL TOPICS 



CHAPTER XXXIV 

 THE HOME LOT 



369. The Decoration of a Landscape with herbs, 

 shrubs and trees has been called "picture-making out- 

 of-doors." Whether we know it or not, all of us have 

 a great appreciation of the beauty and grandeur of 

 landscapes. We recognize that some landscapes are 

 attractive, or that the surroundings of some homes 

 look bleak. Again, there is the little cottage of the new- 

 comer, simple though it may be, yet we say, "It's a nice 

 place." Ask us why, and the answer is a very uncertain 

 one. Why? It's because we fail to recognize the essen- 

 tials of a good picture. 



370. Studying Landscapes. Compare Fig. 165 with 

 Fig. 166. Manifestly, one is more pleasing to the eye 

 than the other, but why? Some shrubs have been added, 

 it is true, but it is not the shrubs in themselves that are 

 so noticeably pleasing. The shrubs cover up many of 

 the harsh geometrical lines and make the landscape look 

 more natural. Had the shrubs been placed in the open 

 space the effect would not have been half so pleasing. 

 The large open lawn gives an attractive setting for the 

 trees farther on. A comparison of these two pictures 

 teaches us the A, B, C of landscape art. In making 



Q (257) 



