a terrace, or a courtyard, and still allow space for the expression of an ample lawn — ■ 

 it is well; but one should not forget that the extent of the grounds in this quarter 

 will be more effective than on any other side of the house. Yard improvement 

 aims to afford convenience for necessary features and to make all parts of the 

 property look well, but it purposes primarily to save space and to bend all things 

 toward the best development of the private grounds. Upon success in this part of 

 a yard depends, largely, the success of the whole scheme. 



The simplest scheme for the private grounds is a bordered lawn including both 

 the side yard and the rear area. A hedge consisting of but a single species of 

 shrub or tree will afford the desired enclosure. If a low wire fence is passed through 

 the center of the hedge or erected on the outside, a hedge may be made almost as 

 effective a barrier as a wall. If such a hedge is to be trimmed, on the sides only or 

 on both top and sides, then, of course, a suitable plant should be selected. Of 

 course, in very restricted areas only hedges or architectural barriers are suitable, 

 as they occupy less space than free-growing plantations. Mixed borders of flow- 

 ering shrubs may also be arranged as a hedge and thus occupy less space than 

 curvilinear borders. Likewise, but little space is necessary for a trimmed hedge 

 with groups of flowering shrubs or trees in the comers. 



It is more satisfactory to enclose lawns with free-growing borders of trees and 

 flowering shrubs, carefully arranged with respect to the necessary heights and the 

 suitabiUty of the plants, as by such means the desired enclosure is secured, the 

 flowers and the fruits of the plants may be enjoyed and the minimum of care is 

 required. A private lawn of unconventional character requires considerable 

 space, but lots of one hundred by two hundred feet may be made to accomodate 

 them if the space is carefully planned. If there is a conventional garden or even 

 a very small courtyard, an informal lawn is a pleasing feature in contrast with the 

 predominating conventionality of the house and the remainder of the yard. If 

 all the space of the private grounds is in one lawn, flowering borders, even in- 

 cluding some herbaceous flowers, will furnish the gardenesque character desired. 

 For the greater part of the growing season a simple lawn furnishes a pleasant and 

 restful outlook from the house, but its usefulness is more that of a playground 

 than of a garden. While the so-called informal border is in most cases, more 

 satisfactory, it should be realized that in very small yards conventional schemes 

 such as hedges, trimmed or untrimmed, are also very interesting, will furnish the 

 necessary enclosure, and, what is more important, will leave more space available 

 for a playground. 



Whether or not the need of a garden is felt, an enclosure smaller than the lawn 

 and more closely connected with the house is much to be desired. Whilean ex- 

 pression of spaciousness is essential in a lawn, a terrace or a courtyard or a small 

 garden needs only enough space for a company to sit in the open, as they would 

 in an indoor room. If there is a space for a panel of velvety lawn in addition 

 to the necessary pavement, or if it is possible to have flowers in an ample border 

 or in pots, such decoration is much to be desired and is quite in keeping. Dry 

 pavements within the privacy of one's immediate yard or garden are at times con- 

 venient and attractive places for outdoor exercise, and also for other reasons it is f or- 

 timate if this smaller enclosure is not too limited. But, unless a house is large, a 

 small area is better suited to this purpose than a large one. As one uses his porch, so 

 would he use a terrace or a small garden more frequently than a lawn. In fact. 



