LITERATURE OF LANDSCAPE GARDENING 
The field of landscape gardening has a large, rich and delightful 
literature. Any student of the subject ought to read widely. 
Some books, naturally, deal with history, others with artistic 
theory, others with engineering phases of the subject, many with 
plant materials. It is not to be expected that any one book will 
expound everything. 
Fortunately a very large part of the best literature of land- 
scape gardening is in the English language. Much of it is American 
and much of it is recent. The best is therefore easily accessible. 
Every serious student ought to expect to buy a few of the best 
books for himself. He must use some care, however, to make sure 
that he is really buying the best books and passing over those which 
are merely showy. 
Every school in which landscape gardening is taught will need 
a reference library including the leading modern works and as many 
others as funds will buy. The selection of such a reference library 
is a matter requiring much thought and investigation. 
The following list of books is offered with some misgivings. 
While it probably includes all the works of most immediate value in 
the course cutlined in the foregoing pages, it is by no means com- 
plete, judged by any standard. In order to bring the list within 
practicable compass and in order to avoid the mistake of confusing 
the teacher or the pupil not already familiar with this field, it has 
been necessary to offer a relatively short list, excluding many in- 
dubitably good books. Some of the books included are certainly 
no better than some of those left out, but specific comparisons of 
this invidious sort would nevertheless be unnecessary, futile, and 
unfair. It is hoped that this list will be of service to the teacher 
making up a small reference library or to the student choosing a 
few books for himself. 
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