W HAT WE DID FIRST 



two parts: the woods, which were to be left untouched, except 

 for a roadway opening through them; and the part bordering on 

 the lake, which was to be made habitable. Of this second part, 

 about eight hundred and forty feet square, a detailed chart was made 

 showing all contours and indicating all trees over six inches in diam- 

 eter. After discussion among the Inevitable Trio, the Land- 

 scape Gardener, the Architect, and the Owner, there was sub- 

 mitted for our approval a plan of work carrying out the idea of a 

 wild-woods home, installing a water and drainage system, opening 

 vistas and spaces necessary for light and air, locating paths and 

 roads, kitchen gardens and flower gardens, and the lawn, besides 

 providing building sites for cottage, stable, and woodshed, and the 

 ultimate home. 



Here was a plan to work with, and we could do as much or as 

 little as we pleased, taking two years or ten, provided that all we did 

 should be a part of a general scheme; then nothing would have to be 

 done over. I think that is why people exclaimed at the apparent 

 oldness of the place after we had lived there only four years; to 

 be sure, the soil was exceedingly rich, we had plenty of water, 

 and we planted only hardy things. 



It was a dull dark day in September when we chose the site for 

 the big house, the centre upon which all the planting must depend. 

 A strong string was drawn from tree to tree the whole length of the 

 proposed front terrace; on this were pinned newspapers, and we 



wandered off in different directions to note the effect. The Constant 



17 



