74 HOW TO PLAN THE HOME GROUNDS 



but simply a fussing and vulgarizing of its proper 

 dignity and simplicity. 



It hardly need be said that parterres and statues and 

 fountains can all be used on terraces without injury to 

 their simple and broad dignity, and often with decided 

 advantage to their general effect. 



The use of trees or shrubs in the form of a hedge or 

 arbored walk on the highest borders of a terrace also 

 needs attention. Many would use arbor vitae and privet, 

 with the idea of securing a comparatively permanent 

 clipped formality of outline and height, but in a year or 

 two, perhaps, along would come a peculiar spring, cold 

 and hot by turns, that would destroy a portion of the 

 hedge, and patching would be out of the question ; or, in 

 the case of the privet, it would grow naked of stem, espe- 

 cially at the base of the plant, and vexation of spirit for 

 the owner of the place would ensue, not to be solaced by 

 the thought that in England and Europe generally they 

 do this kind of work better with their hollies and laurels 

 and yews, which do not always thrive here. 



But the trouble with such workmen is they do not know 

 the material that lies at their hand. If they did, they 

 would turn to the ilex crenata, a Japanese holly, of such 

 hardiness and elegance and symmetry of form and richness 

 of grace of leafage that the only wonder is that any ter- 

 race in America is left unadorned by its presence. Prun- 

 ing it stands well, provided we allow it to be in need of 

 pruning with its perfect and yet graceful and light sym- 

 metry ; and again it may be repeated, as supremely im- 

 portant, it is hardy in America, for what other evergreen 

 shrub is actually hardy in America, without it be the 

 American holly, a beautiful but somewhat straggling 

 plant, which is specially slow in growth and diflScult to 



