16 THE BOOK OF GARDEN DESIGN 
less trouble than originality, in that the latter involves 
individual thought, and a necessary determination to see 
clearly to the root of things. But apart from the lack of 
variety displayed in the general planning of several gardens 
in the same or different localities, there is often a want of 
diversity in the various parts of a single garden. This 
is the opposite fault to that of undue complexity, and it 
is the more pleasant, because of its rarity, when we find 
that a happy mean has been chosen. Variety in garden 
design can be attempted in a number of ways, either in 
the alteration of ground levels, the formation of walks, 
or the grouping of trees and shrubs, The first named 
must always be a matter demanding extreme care and 
judgment, for the good reason that the natural levels 
are nearly always best. In the remodelling of existing 
gardens, it is often necessary to go to considerable labour 
and expense to bring the ground back to its original 
form. The craze for terracing which has led to the 
upheaval of banks and mounds in all sorts of impossible 
positions, has led to an appearance of extreme artificiality 
in many modern gardens. However, it is often possible 
to so alter levels that variety takes the place of monotony, 
and an added charm is given to certain situations. 
Perhaps the safest way to proceed in this direction is 
to take advantage of some existing depression or elevation, 
which, probably too slight to relieve the prevailing flat- 
ness, may be deepened or heightened as the case may 
be. The natural grade should be taken as a guide, and 
emphasis given to points which admit of such treatment. 
The aspect of the surrounding country will exercise con- 
siderable influence in this direction. A garden containing 
many mounds, hillocks, and hollows will look absurd set 
in a nearly flat landscape, and in a hilly district, cultivated 
land wrought into an unbroken level will appear even 
more out of place. The fact that building operations 
has led to the excavation of a large bulk of earth, should 
