Photo 135. 



surrounding's complete. A mansion without the landscape finish looks defective and 

 sometimes repulsive, but a log cabin, with a nicely finished yard, everything "balanced," 

 with neat walks and drive proportional in width to the frontage, and a judicious arrange- 

 ment of trees, shrubs and flowers, brings forth spontaneously the exclamation: " That is 

 home /" Many a man who grades yards knows nothing more than to rake off the sur- 

 face and make it smooth, and has no idea of proportion, waves, rolls, flares, etc., and 

 cares but little about the quality of soil used and has no understanding how to make the 

 flower beds (which in new lawns should always be made when the work on the grounds 

 is being executed). Perhaps these men do the best they know how, but the trouble is 

 they are not born landscapers, but work of such importance should not be entrusted to 

 them. Study the art yourself; determine what you 

 want and see that your wishes are carried out. To 

 assist you, some few "pointers" will be given. 



Never use a terrace if you can dispense with it. 

 The main objection against the terrace is, it is hard to 

 take care of. In 134 there is a double terrace and 

 there was no need of any. The foundation of the 

 house might just as well have been two feet lower, 

 and as the house is back from the street some 200 feet 

 there was an excellent chance for a graceful slope and 

 a spacious lawn, with plenty of room (at the side), for 

 the most gorgeous display of decorative plants. Some- 

 times the terrace has to be used. Photo 140 gives an 

 example. That is a property which was said to be 

 graded when the picture was taken, but it changed 

 hands and the grade did not suit the new proprietor Photo 136. 



64 



