X INTRODUCTION 



childish creations that distress us. A beautiful site upon 

 sloping ground is converted by the owner into pleasure- 

 ground, and here is to be found some design of flower- 

 beds — taken perhaps from an old book of formal garden 

 plans — which is charming in itself, but is spoilt to the eye 

 of the man who knows about garden-making by the fact 

 that the ground has not been levelled to receive it. As 

 incongruous is an old-fashioned walled-in garden, perfect 

 in its simple restful lines, which is converted by the 

 inexperienced into a miniature Japanese mountain scene, 

 forgetful of the fact that in its native country this would 

 not be within boundary walls. 



It is time the garden owner became as ambitious to 

 have c6rrect and well-balanced lines in the garden as he 

 already is to grow larger and better sweet-peas than his 

 neighbour. It is with a view to directing his attention to 

 this want in our English gardens that I have written this 

 book. I hope that it may prove of some small assistance 

 to him. It has always been my fondest wish that garden- 

 making should become an honoured profession, and that 

 the sons and daughters of Army and Navy men, for 

 instance, should consider themselves privileged in being 

 able to belong to it. The amateur who revels in garden- 

 ing as a pastime is helping much towards this result ; but 

 two important points perhaps need elucidation before the 

 public can be expected to show any enthusiasm over the 

 idea of garden craft as a future profession for their 

 children. 



First, it should be made quite clear that the student 

 will in no way supplant or interfere with the livelihood of 

 the gardener, who up to now has held office. He will 

 still continue where he is. We want his honest face and 

 his strong arm, since there is much that he alone and no 

 one else can accomplish. He now needs help, however ; 

 he alone does not suffice to bring into being the many 



