146 GARDENS : THEIR FORM AND DESIGN 



effects, and side by side we find dry wall gardens with 

 natural-looking rock-plants in their chinks, whilst almost 

 touching them is a stiff treillage garden of Le N6tre's 

 time. Excellent as are some few of these flower-show 

 effects, we sometimes wonder if they are altogether healthy 

 as regards building up good taste in garden craft. Those 

 who have not made any real study of the progressive 

 history of garden design, who have never been taught to 

 think of the lie of the ground or " suitable surroundings," 

 are here led to choose a garden much as they would 

 select a wedding present. They like it for itself and hope 

 that it will look well in the new home. It is natural that 

 those who invent pergolas, arbours, and garden temples 

 should wish to show them to the public and thus quickly 

 obtain orders ; but to build up a garden in a night is no 

 criterion of the true qualifications as a garden designer. 



Greatly preferable is he who endeavours to makeihis 

 own home or nursery garden as true as it can be to its 

 country surroundings, only keeping in mind how this 

 actual piece of land ought to be treated, following the 

 correct precepts of good taste and past learning. If it be 

 on a steep slope, then let it be with terraces and pergolas, 

 but free of attempt at bog or aquatic gardens ; should it 

 be a wild woodland garden, then show judgnient and 

 moderation in giving only those delicate touches which 

 enhance, but do no injury to, natural beauty. Then the sur- 

 rounding laridiscape has to be considered, and the question 

 whether the lines of the distant hills should form the basis 

 for the main lines of the garden to follow. Each new 

 garden idea has, in short, to be weighed against other 

 natural values. This, successfully carried out, proves 

 the master craftsman. 



The above is a mere digression from the subject of the 

 rows of small houses we are hoping to look at more closely 

 before the train moves on. We only introduce it because 



