Planning the Ground 



headed trees, but rather by a mass formed of such trees as the 

 Californian Laurel, while next to the Laurel might come the 

 Poplar or some other tree of similar column-shaped head and 

 symmetry. Then again, when groups meet, they might some- 

 times be blended together. For example, a group of Oaks, 

 adjoining a group of Californian Laurels, might be blended into 

 the Laurel group, by the Oaks being planted so as to overlap the 

 Laurels and the Laurels the Oaks, as is to be found in natural 

 groups. 



The same rule applies to shrubs and even to flowers at the 

 extreme points of the groups. 



When a group of Pines adjoins a group of Live Oaks, it is 

 always, desirable to blend the two at the junction of the one 

 with the other, care being taken to avoid regular progression and 

 everything like formality, and it being borne in mind that 

 grounds laid out according to simple plans are generally much 

 more pleasing than those laid out on overpretentious lines. 



After the walks and drives are laid out (this subject being 

 fully treated in chapter 4) the next important work should be 

 the mapping of the water-pipe system. 



For a garden of about four acres in extent, a two-inch main 

 will be necessary. This main should be laid along the middle 

 of the ground with one and one-half inch branches laid at right 

 angles from the main, about one hundred feet apart from each 

 other, (the first branch from the main to be laid fifty feet from 

 the fence line), and with stand-pipes and connections to fit the 

 hydrants also one hundred feet apart, so that any part of the 

 garden may be reached with a single fifty-foot length of hose. 



How often do we see both amateur and professional gar- 

 deners struggling to reach some favorite which unfortunately 

 has been planted just out of reach of the last length of hose! 

 It should always be borne in mind that water-pipe, even of the 

 best quality, is much cheaper than hose; also that iron pipe lasts 

 in the ground at least twenty years, whereas the life of the 



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