XXVI. 



Gardens for Small Country Houses. 



made was the cutting of a way through the middle of the old stepped hedge, so that 

 a vista might be secured from the forecourt up a new stairway through the hedge 

 and across the rose garden that was then formed on the upper level, which was once a 

 bowling green. This vista is picturesquely closed by a great purple beech, which 

 stands out from the woodland at the east boundary. Thus was estabhshed a scheme 



FIG. XIII. — MARKY.VTE CELL : PLAN OF G.AKDEN, 



the chief feature of which is a marked axial line at right angles to the longer axis of 

 the house. The effect of the vista was emphasised by a fine old stone \'ase on a roughly 

 paved round base in the middle of the rose garden. A central feature of this kind is 

 very valuable in increasing the impression of distance, and is attractive in its own 

 right as an ornament of simple and pleasing character. The upper piers of the 

 flight of steps which lead through the break in the stepped hedge are made the more 



