CHAPTER XIX 

 LANDSCAPE GARDENING 



Styles. --The three principal styles of landscape gar- 

 dening are the formal or geometrical style, the natural 

 style, and the picturesque style. The principles govern- 

 ing each style are so different that they can seldom be 

 combined without discord. This is especially true in 

 small areas, but on large estates different styles may be 

 used and harmoniously combined. 



The Formal or Geometrical Style is characterized by its 

 regularity, symmetry, and geometrical forms. Trees 

 planted in rows, walks and drives laid either in straight 

 lines or geometrical curves, and water in fountains or basins 

 are all characteristic features of the formal garden. 



The Natural Style is especially adapted to the improve- 

 ment of the farm home grounds. The principal character- 

 istics of this style are large, open lawns of graceful curving 

 surfaces ; trees, shrubs, and flowering plants naturally dis- 

 posed; and walks laid out with simple, pleasing curves. 

 All forms in this style of landscape design should be free, 

 flowing, and graceful, thus producing a natural effect. 



The Picturesque Style also aims to produce natural ef- 

 fects although its method and style of presentation are 

 quite different. Abrupt lines and irregular forms and 

 figures are used rather than the smooth, simple, flowing 

 lines of the natural style. Irregular groups of wind- 

 swept pines on the top of a barren hillside with broken 



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