70 LANDSCAPE GARDENING 



buildings and architectural features, both in rela- 

 tion to each other and to the surrounding land- 

 scape. In studying the positions of the architec- 

 ture, pleasing views must be taken advantage of, 

 and objectionable ones eliminated as far as possi- 

 ble. One does not care to gaze from his library 

 window upon a populous and curious chicken- 

 yard, nor yet upon a collection of service build- 

 ings, no matter how neatly they may be kept. A 

 railroad, newly made land, or slatternly neighbors 

 may require "screening," for one should, wher- 

 ever possible, look out upon pleasant surround- 

 ings. This is called the design of the "off -scape," 

 and is of the utmost importance. 



Medieval castles, wherever possible, were built 

 upon rocky peaks, as much for ease of defense as 

 to allow their owners a wide survey of the sur- 

 rounding country, in order to recognize the ap- 

 proach of danger at some distance. Although 

 they commanded a remarkable view, it is quite 

 probable that it had no esthetic appeal to the "rob- 

 ber barons." 



Defensibility in the Italian hillside gardens was 

 no object, but the view was, and the garden was 

 consequently placed in a commanding position. 

 The result, so far as location is concerned, is the 



