EXAMPLES OF GARDEN DESIGN. 



which were to incorporate the old kitchen garden and a lake formed by his predecessor Garden in 

 in the valley below, both of which have undergone many alterations and modifications granite. 

 to bring them into harmony with the general scheme. Although the alterations to the 

 mansion were so drastic that it might with more truth have been regarded as 

 having been rebuilt than altered, the retention of the original house formed part of the 

 plans, the gardens having undergone entire reconstruction on a scale which bears no 

 relationship to their original arrangement. 



The first radical and necessary change was to bring the main entrance to the house 

 from the South to the West, thus leaving the South front free for garden developments, 

 and ensuring that the delightful prospect, here expanding over rounded hills bordering 

 Dartmoor and the famous Doone Glen, be viewed across stretches of restful lawn, un- 

 broken by drives or gravelled spaces. 



The plan and elevations of the residence were developed in a style distinctly homely, 

 and somewhat symmetrically, with the masses agreeably broken by pleasing projections 

 and wings, as shown by the accompanying photographs, the architect (the late Mr. 

 Dan Gibson), whose influence is also traceable in one or two of the garden details, being 

 appointed on my recommendation. A correspondingly massive and homelike effect has 

 been sought in the gardens, nor is symmetry wholly absent. 



Owing to the importance of the work, the great difference" in, and extreme difficulty of 

 treating the levels, the large number of buildings set at all angles, and the necessity 

 of preserving the sparsely distributed timber trees, a careful survey, with a complete 

 grid of levels, was necessary. On this plan and grid of levels were drawn the sections, 

 and the preliminary plans, including all terraces with properly defined levels, thus 

 ensuring a feasible and workable scheme before proceeding to working drawings. To 

 obviate expensive excavation, all sweeping changes of level were avoided. 



The two sections show that on the West, or entrance front of the house, the ground 

 rises suddenly some 15 feet ; this decided the width of the carriage court, which is as 

 wide as the ground allows, and looks much wider on the site than the plan suggests, the 

 central flight of steps leading to the tennis courts broadening the effect considerably. 

 The grass terraces and tennis courts promise to be the most charming features in the 

 garden, but cannot be presented photographically until the yew hedges have had two years 

 more growth ; for this reason a detailed description, with enlarged plans and cross- 

 section of this part of the garden, are necessary to give an idea of the ultimate effect. 

 Being on the West of the house and considerably above it, it was sought to keep this 

 part of the scheme quiet and restful. There are therefore no flower borders, but broad 

 stretches of quiet lawns surrounded by grassy slopes, and yew hedges to be cut to shape, 

 while at right angles to the entrance, and in a line with the steps rising with the natural 

 level of the ground, stretches a wide open grass glade with cedars planted at either 

 side, the end of the glade being furnished with an architectural pavilion or tea house. 



The tennis lawn is one hundred and twenty feet square, thus giving room for two 

 creases which may be placed either way, with recessed curves for seats and statuary 

 figures representing the Seasons. On the West of the tennis lawn is a wide raised grass 

 terrace, a point of vantage for onlookers. The corner recesses make corresponding 

 bastions on the outside, and therein are planted Pyrus Malus floribunda, which grace the 

 picture with their showers of small apple-like blossom rising above the sombre green 

 of the yew. 



North of the tennis lawn, on a higher level, and partially screened by the yew 

 hedges, is a pergola with rough stone columns connected with the garden house, which 

 in turn communicates with the upper floor of the mansion. 



The stables and motor-house are on the North, as is also the service road ; but, 

 as tradesmen generally use the road through the stable yard or by way of the kitchen 



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