4 HOW TO PLAN THE HOME GROUNDS 



prospective householder that he had better seek else- 

 where for what he wants. The spot may be charming 

 and tempting in the beauty it exhibits, but if it does not 

 readily offer on its unchanged conformation the particular 

 features he requires, it would be much better to leave 

 it alone. It is difficult, and often really hazardous, to 

 undertake to change by grading any spot into the sort 

 of place one wants, where at the very outset the natural 

 peculiarities do not suggest the special form of treatment 

 which is sought. There is a forced note about all such 

 work that may mar the quality of the undertaking, be it 

 ever so skillfully carried out. It must be confessed that 

 we are naturally drawn to many lots unsuitable for us to 

 live on, that are in themselves beautiful with hills, rocks, 

 and running or still water. The charms of certain attrac- 

 tive features enthrall us, and we return again and again, 

 in the vain hope that we may be able to think of a way 

 to force its beauty and picturesqueness into the limita- 

 tions of our home necessities. Finally, perhaps, we yield 

 to the temptation, and buy the fascinating spot. At 

 first it is enough for us to show our friends the many 

 attractive features of knoll and grove and water, but 

 later on, when we start to actually arrange the place 

 with a distinct view to the comforts of daily life, we soon 

 begin to realize the difficulties of our undertaking. 



In the first place, where one would naturally seek a 

 building site, it will be found to stand directly on the 

 street and be peculiarly subject to dust and public expo- 

 sure. The next knoll that has some semblance of suita- 

 bility for the house will probably be too small, and require, 

 if it is to be used for the purpose of a house site, to 

 have its rounded contours broadened and flattened. But 

 the difficulties will not stop here, for when a course is 



