238 HOW TO PLAN THE HOME GROUNDS 



wire fence may be used, and covered in the same 

 way. 



The ornamentation of village greens with classic foun- 

 tains, statues, and memorial shafts is, we may be allowed 

 to say, with all due respect to the benevolent and patriotic 

 motives that frequently inspire their erection, to be gen- 

 erally deprecated. While one would not exactly select 

 a pool or stream for the artificial ornamentation of a 

 more or less formal village green, yet it may readily 

 come to exist naturally in a square, in which case a 

 fountain basin would be in order, provided no elaborate- 

 looking designs hi marble or bronze are used, but if 

 fountains must be used, much rather should one employ 

 the beautiful single spray of crystalline water, or a 

 cluster of sprays like those to be seen in the contrivance 

 known as the geyser fountain. 



With the improvement of village greens should go the 

 proper shade and adornment of the highway bordering it. 

 It is best, as I have stated, that shade trees should be 

 set out at intervals of fifty feet, and the dwelling-houses 

 should be set back as far from the road as circumstances 

 will permit, so as to further extend the openness of the 

 territory. 



On a village green, paths should be few in number, 

 open space or spaces should be left for seats and the 

 gathering of people, and, above all things, plenty of shade 

 should be fostered. Straight walks are admissible, if 

 not often advisable, only they should not make acute 

 angles with each other, to the destruction of beauty and 

 vegetation, but where a long curve can be given to a 

 path, without appreciably detracting from its directness, 

 it is better to employ it, and its effect is sure to be most 

 attractive. 



