28 THE BOOK OF GARDEN DESIGN 
at the upper or northern extremity, with the best views, 
the gardens and landscape beyond, stretching south- 
wards. The chief windows will face south, and on the 
extent of the vista, its variety and absence of signs of 
foreshortening and curtailment, the skill of the designer 
will be appraised. That the garden boundaries should 
end in a point does away with all illusion of space; we 
mark the sudden transition from the cultivated to the 
wild, and our grounds appear as a modest wedge which 
is in momentary danger of being demolished by the en- 
croachments of the neighbouring property. Irregularity 
of outline is another feature to which objection may be 
raised on account of the extra expense incurred in fenc- 
ing. The number of angles, too, renders the making of 
boundary paths a troublesome matter, and for various 
reasons a free, flowing outline is far preferable. 
If a site can be secured on which a number of fine 
trees already stand, it should, other things considered, 
receive preference over one which is bare and barren. 
A well grown tree, grateful on account of its shade, 
and beautiful for its stately outline, is one of the most 
valued objects in the garden. Should there be too 
many trees, it is easy to cut down any that are not 
required; it is another matter to plant fresh ones. 
However, nothing will be gained by endeavouring to 
retain existing features of an unsuitable nature, or by 
altering a well balanced plan so as to include some 
object foreign to the scheme. In such cases it were 
better to start operations in a field destitute of tree, 
shrub or living plant, thereby enabling the projected 
design to be carried out unhampered by restrictions. 
The lack of well grown timber is indeed the greatest 
drawback in new gardens, which must perforce continue 
for many years before they put on the aspect of maturity, 
or even middle age, so that unless there is ample reason 
for the contrary, the retention of any suitable specimen 
