PREFACE 



The work illustrated and described in this 

 unpretending book represents the author's own 

 undertakings, with one single exception, the 

 pond in Central Park. These concrete examples 

 are selected to show by picture and pen how some 

 problems of landscape gardening were solved by 

 him. They represent certain leading types of 

 work and in a simple way some of the basic prin- 

 ciples of the art. 



It will be noticed that no reference has been 

 made to the actual design of architectural struc- 

 tures. The diflSculty with the landscape architect 

 has often been, that he will insist on designing 

 buildings, something which is really outside of 

 his domain. His province is to deal with Nature 

 and render her more beautiful, more enticing, 

 more lovely in every respect; but always herself, 

 always Nature. It needs a lifetime of study to 

 catch the spirit of her beauty and transfix and 

 utilize it by intelligent manipulation for man's 

 use and enjoyment. 



There are broad and simple principles of the 

 art, which should be reflected in a more or less 

 modified way' in all good landscape-gardening 

 work. Thus, in order to secure a good composition 

 developed from the surroundings to meet man's 

 physical needs and at the same time secure a 



