LESSON 53 
FouUNDATION PLANTING 
HE object of this lesson is to learn some of the 
principles governing foundation planting and to 
become familiar with some of the materials best 
adapted to that work. This study applies es- 
pecially to the requirements of a modest dwell- 
) ing house on a small village lot. 
Definition 
The term foundation planting is applied to groupings of shrub- 
bery, vines and herbaceous plants (rarely including small trees) 
placed about the base of a dwelling house, schoolhouse or any other 
public or private building. The most usual objects of such a plant- 
ing are (a) to cover up high and unsightly foundations, (b) to break 
up hard and formal lines in the architecture, (c) to unite the build- 
ing with the grounds, (d) to secure privacy. Practical observation 
will show that nothing does more to make a dwelling house or other 
building seem naturalized to its surroundings — to assume a cosy 
home-like air — than judicious foundation plantings. 
Problem 
The small dwelling house here presented was designed by Walker 
and Gillette, architects, for the proposed war-time development at 
Ilion, N. Y., under direction of the United States Housing Cor- 
poration.* This is a small house of six rooms and bath, of excellent 
* U. S. Housing Corporation Report, War Emergency Construction, 
Vol. II, p. 186, U. S. Department of Labor, Washington, 1919. 
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