INTRODUCTION 



modest owner. The expense of building and main- 

 tenance has been materially lessened during recent 

 years by many labor-saving devices unknown to the 

 famous craftsmen of old-world gardens. It is, for in- 

 stance, now possible to secure in cement excellent 

 reproductions of fountains, temples, garden-seats, 

 steps, balustrades, etc., formerly executed in marble ; 

 and, with the numerous labor-saving devices, their 

 manufacture is within the capabilities of the average 

 garden-craftsman. On the other hand, the wealthy 

 proprietor who wishes to import genuine antiques of 

 such objects or to have them specially designed will 

 find among the illustrations excellent examples for 

 his guidance. 



Another important object in the preparation of 

 this book is the warning against an overcrowding of 

 supposedly desirable accessories. There are numer- 

 ous American properties (including even some of 

 those which are given as models in household jour- 

 nals) which are " horrible examples " of overdoing 

 and incongruity. We must not overlook our natural 

 trait the average American wants too much, wants 

 everything in one small stretch of territory. If it 

 doesn't "belong," he will nevertheless force it in, 

 especially if it happens to be the fad of the moment. 

 Satisfactory results can be obtained only when each 

 architectural feature admitted to the garden beauti- 



3 



