20 PRACTICAL LANDSCAPE GARDENING 



is so often the case. Here, too, we have the question of best ex- 

 posure, and, in addition, consideration must be given to the back- 

 ground, views, and drainage. 



The house should always be on an eminence, but need not neces- 

 sarily be on the highest point of the ground (Fig. 14). In fact, it 

 is often advisable to select a site with rising ground at the rear. If 

 the rising ground be wooded the house will appear more attractive 

 and fit more snugly into the landscape. For the best view one 

 can always ascend to the higher point for observation and the scene 

 will be more enjoyable for the occasional visit than it would be if 

 it were continually within the line of ^-ision. 



It is often possible to locate the house so that the principal rooms 

 are on the axis of some beautiful distant view. This point should 

 not be overlooked when the site is selected. 



The question of drainage is an important one. To secure com- 

 fort and health in a home the cellar and foundation should always 

 be dry. The ideal location is one where the ground slopes directly 

 away from the house on all four sides (Fig. 15, page 77). When such 

 a location is not naturally available extra provision must be made 

 when grading the ground directly around the house. 



The character of the soil should be considered and, if the ground 

 is wet, underdrains should be provided. 



The attitude usually assumed, to the effect that no consideration 

 need be given to the landscape treatment when locating houses on 

 plots of an acre or less, needs some modification. While the house 

 must be, of course, the dominant feature, a careful study of sur- 

 rounding .conditions, ,the question of exposure and exterior adorn- 

 ment before locating the house, will well repay the owner. 



It is much to be regretted that, on account of the generally in- 

 considerate placing of the house, most of our lawn area is in the 

 rear of the house. Certainly this gives a larger measure of privacy, 

 but too often this privacy is a detriment. People grow careless of 

 that which is not open for all to see. Backyards provide a con- 

 venient place for the accumulation of trash and rubbish and soon 

 the lawn is in danger of being neglected (Figs. 11 and 12). A much 

 better scheme is that of placing the house well to the rear of the lot, 

 leaving but a small space at the back; or of placing the house well 

 to one side, allowing a more extended lawn from the front to rear 

 line. If the exposure is good the principal rooms of the house may 

 be planned to face the lawn rather than the street. 



