14 GARDENS IN THE MAKING 



Taking the twofold classification suggested above, 

 our primary consideration in design should be 

 simplicity of treatment and harmony with existing con- 

 ditions. The stretches of lawn, the enclosures for 

 pleasure gardens, the terraces, wide walks and greens 

 should be rectilinear in outline as far as possible ; the 

 paths should be straight, the planting should be 

 formed in simple masses — the whole effect being 

 well-balanced and restful. Isolated clumps of plant- 

 ing should be avoided, and single trees and shrubs 

 where valuable enough to be preserved should be 

 linked to boundaries or made to appear intentional 

 objects in the general scheme. It often happens 

 that such obstacles, unwelcome at first to the garden 

 plan, provide it, in the end, with the happiest of its 

 inspirations. It is much better to be directed by 

 the conditions of the site, than to attempt to force 

 some preconceived plan on a reluctant situation, and 

 in drawing out the guiding lines it should be our 

 object to find the simplest solution of the problems 

 which the existing levels, aspect, trees, and other 

 natural conditions present to us. Many are the 

 failures in gardens which have resulted from violating 

 this rule of simplicity of treatment and harmony 



