168 HOW TO PLAN THE HOME GROUNDS 



few feet? Steep land and a few rocks will always make 

 one think of the reasonableness of a seemingly small 

 rocky cliff being naturally fashioned at this point. This 

 shows one of the ways in which a new landscape can 

 be actually constructed; the landscape architect then 

 assumes his true function, undertaking always to work 

 on Nature's lines and suggestions, and never in direc- 

 tions uninspired by the existing conditions. 



The same principles may be seen applied in the rocks 

 disposed along a stream. If rocks^ abound, the land- 

 scape architect will throw out promontories, picturesque 

 masses and rough bridges, but, if true to his art, he will 

 not undertake to set up cut-stone copings, and long, 

 straight lines, or mathematical curves. It is so easy to 

 say just what should not be done, but the true course is 

 that which seeks to do things right, and forgets to dwell 

 on wrong things. It is the same sensible way of doing- 

 right things that leads one to use plain, solid steps of 

 granite or bluestone, and as few of them as possible, 

 instead of searching far and wide for some more rustic 

 or shaly pieces. These steps should be broad and low, 

 and not highly axed and smoothed, and the borders 

 should be, in most cases, improved with low, narrow, 

 inconspicuous copings or curbings, and bordering turf 

 masses, well rounded up. 



So, also, should the rocks be selected, being taken from 

 the nearest quarry or stone-heap, without much regard 

 to their shape or size, except that they should not gen- 

 erally be less than two feet the narrow way, with as 

 shallow a depth as possible, so that they will bed down 

 in the ground in what looks to be a firm and settled 

 manner. Although it does not really make much differ- 

 ence whether the upper surface of the rock be weather- 



