The Winning Designs 
achieved in this design, and that is facile connection 
by dry paths, that are not too obtrusive, between all 
parts. 
In the design by Mr. Ernest Biggs (p. 72) we come 
at once upon an appreciation of the seclusion a garden 
should afford. He starts by creating a sense of pleasant 
isolation from the outside world by planting a screen of 
vegetation—trees, shrubs, etc.—right round the site, 
and if I interpret the lines on his plan aright, he would 
achieve some highly desirable effects by his arrange- 
ment, for he does not lay down the gospel of straight 
lines quite so ardently as is done in some cases. An 
irregular outline to shrubbery planting is often desir- 
able, and an isolated tree or shrub, as it were casually 
breaking away from the actual border into the lawn, 
is often picturesque. It also tends to eradicate the 
sense of being bounded on four sides by fences that 
seem always too near one. If Mr. Dalgliesh in his 
design produces effects that can be described as ambi- 
tiously formal, Mr. Biggs displays distinct aspirations 
in the direction of what is sometimes erroneously 
described as natural gardening. I cannot say the 
result in this case is generally very happy, and in the 
end evidently Mr. Biggs realized this too, the result 
being that he has produced a plan that is too much 
cut up by paths, most of which lead in the same direc- 
tion without producing anywhere a really interesting 
perspective. If Rhododendrons are wanted—and they 
are, as arule, I think—the rectangular bed opposite the 
dining-room window is the last place I should suggest 
for them. If they did well they would grow, and if 
they grew, within a year or two there would be a blank 
66 
