THE SMALL PLACE 



little steep for the automobile, which came into use 

 after the road was built, but it is not impracticable 

 except in very slippery winter weather. The road's 

 very picturesqueness is due to the curve which was 

 a necessity. It provides a series of woodland pic- 

 tures. The views from the dining room windows 

 and from the piazza are especially charming. The 

 open glade where the road runs along the back of 

 the house provides a small laundry yard. 



Trees and shrubs, for the most part decidu- 

 ous, predominate over flowers and ever-greens. 

 These give interest to the grounds in all sea- 

 sons. In spring they cheer with delicate flowers, 

 in summer they rest with abundant green and 

 shade, in autumn and winter they enliven the 

 grounds with bright fruit and colored twigs. This 

 is one of the most important points to keep in mind 

 in the planting of small places, for the suburban 

 grounds are the setting for houses which are in use 

 the year around.' 



" Since the chapter was written and the pictures taken, the original 

 owner has died and the place has been sold. Through neglect and 

 changes made by an untutored and unsjonpathetic hand the place has 

 almost lost in the short space of two years its essential charm. The 

 place never had unusual care, nor did it require the trimness of less 

 informal places, but now it has lost the ever sympathetic understanding 

 of its spirit. I make note of it with regret in justice to the original 

 owner and to the landscape architect, to emphasize the worth of intelli- 

 gent maintenance. 



70 



