250 LANDSCAPE GARDENING 



only a short time for floweriBg and fruition are 

 suitable for use. 



New Orleans is warm the year around, with 

 plenty of rain and moisture, giving a large range 

 of plant material, and even permitting the use of 

 some vegetation of a tropical character. 



In Southern California the winter is mild, but 

 there is a dry season extending from July to 

 December; consequently the planting material 

 must be such as will survive long periods of 

 drought and require little water. If a plant is 

 well suited for one of these three sets of conditions, 

 it will often be impossible to employ it to advan- 

 tage in either of the others. 



In an analysis of garden design, every problem 

 must be considered from two points of view : first, 

 that of use ; second, that of its esthetic value. The 

 use is of primary importance, but a garden is gen- 

 erally designed for pleasure purposes, and so the 

 appearance can hardly be termed secondary; a 

 garden should give pleasure as well as comfort to 

 the beholder. 



The importance of the topographical features 

 of the landscape as affecting garden design may 

 again be noted in a comparison of the French and 

 Italian gardens. The magnificent conceptions of 



