PRACTICAL BOOK OF GARDEN ARCHITECTURE 



or looking down over a broad expanse, to gaze into 

 the upturned faces of flowers and into fountains 

 and pools, or studying different levels from the stairs 

 leading from one terrace to another, will soon con- 

 vince the owner of a large estate that he has. achieved 

 one of the principal fascinations of the old gardens 

 of the Renaissance when he has introduced into his 

 domains the poetry of changing view-points. 



The changing levels necessitate steps and balus- 

 trades and quaint winding stairways. The most im- 

 portant feature in building rustic stairways is their 

 suitability. Their construction should be conscien- 

 tiously kept in harmony with their surroundings. 

 It would be absurd to find stately formal marble 

 steps, mounted by costly statuary, leading from an 

 untamed woodland thicket into an upper level of 

 wild gardening. Such stairs obviously belong only 

 in formal gardening. Irregular stairs of logs and 

 rough stones are equally out of place in stately for- 

 mal gardens, when their every feature calls for un- 

 pruned garden thickets, secluded nooks and corners, 

 and terraces leading to garden retreats. 



Rustic stairways (the term "rustic" is here used 

 in its broad sense) are most appropriately formed of 

 the material of the surrounding walks and terrace 

 boundaries. Whether built of stone, brick, concrete, 

 rough wooden branches, or huge logs, the choice of 



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