city environment. This openness of environment, in combination with the isola- 

 tion, and even loneliness, of the country, requires a more densely planted or at 

 least a less open yard than is desirable in the city. A low and spreading house 

 quite surrounded by gardens, orchards, and like growth, and with tall trees over- 

 hanging the house, all unite to suggest shelter and protection. In the city one 

 plans to obtain space and the effect of roominess, as land, and especially an ample 

 frontage, is at a premium; but with a reversal of these conditions, however 

 interesting may be the broad expanse of the country, it is still more interesting 

 if seen from a snug home. A gardenlilie setting for a cottage is almost essential 

 for its best appearance, and a very much sheltered setting is equally essential for 

 either a homelike atmosphere or a garden background. 



One often finds, in descriptions of country homes, the expression 'the snug 

 cottage.' The attractiveness of the cottage in a garden may be the result of 

 several factors: a suitable type of house, set low on the ground; a well-planned 

 but picturesque grouping of all buildings; a compact and convenient arrange- 

 ment of all elements, without, however, the effect of being studied. Likewise 

 necessary are an abundance of flowers, a well-stocked kitchen-garden, an orchard, 

 high and thick hedges about the boundaries; and from without, but a glimpse of 

 all this to be seen through a simple gateway. The cottager of long ago could not 

 afford to waste his land, and to him a front lawn was unknown. If his cottage 

 was not directly on the road, walls or hedges enclosed the ground between the 

 road and the house, and this area became a garden or a grass plot. But what- 

 ever may be the best plan for the details of a cottage yard, it is generally safe to 

 say that, after allowing sufficient space for high and dense borders, the major 

 part of the area should be devoted to gardens, orchards, shrubberies, and the 

 like. It is not inconsistent with such an effect, however„to allow glimpses of 

 interesting parts of the surrounding country from suitable vantage points. 



However smaU a country house, it is not apt to look as well if tall and narrow as 

 it will if low and spreading in its proportions. It is possible for many styles of 

 cottages to be very picturesque and attractive in themselves; but to appear well 

 in their garden setting they must have a country aspect, and also must be set low 

 on the ground. Rural homes especially should be intimately related to their 

 surrounding gardens, and therefore the first floor of the house should be but a 

 step above the garden level. Usually it is best to keep the first-floor level low, 

 and also to plan a low and spreading house. The style of the house is an im- 

 portant factor in the appearance erf the whole property, as it is very prominent. 

 It should therefore have a native aspect, express the amplitude of the country 

 without appearing too elaborate, and, above all, the house should seem at home 

 in its garden. 



Apparently there are no factors limiting the position of the country house ex- 

 cept those of good planning within the lot. The position of the house will, of 

 course, determine both the size of the areas on its several sides and also the uses 

 of these areas. The allotment of the space desired and the conveniejace of the 

 whole plan should be borne in mind while the house is being placed and its first- 

 floor plan determined. However, as the frontages of lots in the country are 

 generally more ample than those of city lots, there may be a great deal of latitude 

 in the placing of the house, and, in fact, in the planning of the entire lot. Front- 

 age on country roads, and even in villages, is not so expensive as in cities, and if 



