AN ISLAND HOME 



of deciduous trees and shrubs shut in and protected 

 the house from northerly storms. 



The island itself in other parts was given over 

 to open lawns, groves of evergreen and deciduous 

 trees, and occasional masses of wild bayberry- 

 bush effects. The ailanthus was almost entirely 

 rooted out except an occasional isolated specimen, 

 which was retained on account of its essential 

 beauty, for there is no more desirable tree than 

 the ailanthus if it were not for its suckering pro- 

 pensities and disagreeable odor. 



The general appearance of the island was not 

 seriously modified by all this work; just enough 

 home-like effect of lawns and trees was introduced 

 to suggest the idea of human habitation. 



The vegetable garden was shut in on at least 

 three sides by farm buildings and high rough 

 banks constructed of roots and turf accumulated 

 in removing the ailanthus and cultivating the 

 soil. Over these rough ramparts were planted 

 wild vines of all sorts; Virginia creepers, grapes, 

 honeysuckles, and bittersweet. Within this inclos- 

 ure were set the vegetable garden and poultry 

 yard. By this means the general effect of the 

 place was kept comparatively natural and wild. 



The only essentially artificial feature of this 

 island treatment lay in the house garden, and 

 this was entirely screened on all sides by vine- 

 clad pergola, house, dining-room, and shrubbery, 

 deciduous tree and red cedar plantation. 



Three designs were made for the treatment 

 of this one-hundred-feet four-square garden. 



[77] 



