18 LANDSCAPE GARDEN SERIES 



Fig. 6 —An English estate with open lawn and pleasing composition of archi- 

 tecture and planting 



The patterns employed in these beds in many cases were similar and 

 sometimes exact reproductions of the details of the architectural deco- 

 ration of the house. Many geometrical features were used. 



In many instances these terrace walls were planted as wall gar- 

 dens, or covered with hedges or fruit trees. There were usually three 

 gates to the estate, the postern or field gate, the main gate through 

 which the owner and his family and usual guests entered, and a 

 special gate used only in the case of visits by royalty or guests of 

 higher rank. These gates were ornamented with vases, etc. Many 

 of these gates were of wrought iron and represent some of the finest 

 types of this art which have ever been produced. 



The mount was usually provided with an arbor and some seats, 

 but in the cases of the very wealthy garden owners elaborate banquet- 

 ting houses were erected thereon. Sometimes when a masque was to 

 be given, or a pageant (for this age delighted in such festivals), 

 temporary structures, which were covered with vines and made of 

 some flimsy material, were erected for the occasion. 



Many of the gardens had mazes or labyrinths, and quite often 

 these were supplied with trick or surprise fountains which would sud- 

 denly play, thus giving the lost one a thorough wetting. 



