12 



Farmers' Bulletin 1087. 



should be livable and attractive, but not so different in their gen- 

 eral lines as to seem out of place (figs. 14 and 21) . 



After these factors are determined the type of landscape treat- 

 ment must be studied so as successfully to apply that which is best 

 adapted to farmsteads. In general, only informal designs are ap- 

 plicable except in limited garden areas, but in order to understand 

 informal design better it is desirable to have a clear idea of formal 

 design. Formal design in landscape (see the flower gardens shown 

 in figs. 4 and 36 and the plan illustrated in fig. 15) is composed of 

 geometrical figures, usually symmetrical, 1 and always balanced. 2 

 It is freqently emphasized by architectural or sculptural additions. 

 In general, the more straight lines are used the greater is the for- 

 mality. The buildings need to be regularly and symmetrically placed 



FIG. 11. A typical barn of southeastern Pennsylvania. 



and appropriately designed. The gound must be graded to suit 

 the plan. All the details both of grounds and of buildings must be 

 carefully worked out to conform with one another, and the upkeep 

 must be of the best continually. Formal design is inelastic, not 

 readily permitting additions, and is relatively expensive both in 

 installation and maintenance. 



1 "Symmetrical " in landscape design means that each part on one side of a central 

 axis is exactly duplicated on the other. Each half of tho design reflects the other half. 

 This 'does not mean that the two sides must be alike in their details, as the design may 

 be symmetrical only in general outline. 



a " Balance " in landscape design means that the features on each side of an axis are 

 of equal interest, but not necessarily alike. A symmetrical design is balanced, but a 

 balanced design need not be symmetrical. The axis must be in the center of the interest, 

 not necessarily in the center of the design. A large area of lawn with little planting on 

 one side of a walk may be balanced, for example, by a smaller area on the other if it 

 contains more striking objects. 



