CHAPTER I 



THE FORMAL METHOD AND THE LANDSCAPE 

 GARDENER 



The Formal System of Gardening has suffered 

 from a question -begging name. It has been 

 labelled "Formal" by its ill-wishers; and 

 though, in a way, the term expresses the orderly 

 result at which the system aims, the implied 

 reproach is disingenuous. The history of this 

 method of dealing with gardens will be discussed 

 in subsequent chapters, but as some misunder- 

 standing prevails as to its intention, and any 

 quantity of misrepresentation, it will be well to 

 clear the ground by a statement of the principles 

 and standpoint of the Formal School as com- 

 pared with Landscape Gardening. 



The question at issue is a very simple one. 

 Is the garden to be considered in relation to the 

 house, and as an integral part of a design which 

 depends for its success on the combined effect of 

 house and garden ; or is the house to be ignored 

 in dealing with the garden ? The latter is the 



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