ATTRACTIVE GARDEN STAIRWAYS 



material must depend largely on the treatment of 

 surrounding garden spaces. 



A winding stairway making frequent curves and 

 angles, when leading up a steep slope, serves a double 

 purpose in providing an air of mystery as to what 

 may be discovered in pictorial beauty beyond each 

 bend and curve ; and in furnishing varied levels along 

 the winding flight of stairs for rustic seats and en- 

 chanting resting places. One can scarcely realize the 

 charm of these winding stairs until the borders and 

 boundaries are planted with masses of shrubbery and 

 blooming trailers. Instead of balustrades for out- 

 lining and for support in building these winding 

 rustic stairs, big stones and bowlders may appro- 

 priately edge their winding course, to keep the rough 

 logs or stone steps firmly fixed in the soil and pro- 

 vide unique railings for the support of the boundary 

 planting. These winding stairs with stone borders 

 are especially appropriate where the climbing ter- 

 races are cut through rocky soil. 



Steep flights of stone steps should be avoided 

 wherever it is possible to lay out the stairways in 

 graceful curves that are easy to climb. After climb- 

 ing to an upper terrace, the short-winded visitor may 

 resent the feeling that he has been required to per- 

 form a gymnastic feat. The result will take away 

 half the pleasure of the changing view-points. Unless 



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