Pomona College Journal of Economic Botany 



213 



ideals of landscaping. As the name implies, we are striving for a picture in color, 

 in outline, in effect. Anything which attracts attention because of its individual 

 appearance, detracts from the motif of the picture, and one soon finds himself 

 studying the details, with no impression of the place as a whole. "Landscape 

 pictures are not collections of interesting objects" says a prominent landscapist. 

 Their impression should be as that of a picture on canvas, with one predominating 

 idea, to which everything else is subordinate. In the city home the house should 

 be the main theme, with the yard and plantings as the setting and background. 



Everything should be planted in groups or masses. Do not stick trees and 

 .thrubs into miserable little holes in the lawn. Do not mar the beauty of your 

 home by inserting flower beds in the centers of open spaces. Always keep the 

 front open, as well as the views from the windows, unless it should be desirable to 

 conceal some unsightly object. Trees and shrubs should be massed along the sides 



Figure 86. Showing grading of yard in Figure 85 as it is and as it might have been. 



of the lot with the taller ones in the rear, thus forming a bank of foliage. An 

 excellent place for your flower bed will be in irregular form along the edge of 

 your shrubs. The angles and the masonry of the foundation can be softened by 

 judicious planting of low growing things, arranged in natural and easy positions. 



Sidewalks, drives and masonry should never be used unless absolutely neces- 

 sary, as they detract from the desired effect and should come under the head of 

 formal gardening. The fearful and wonderful creations made by the pruning 

 shears and seen in the carpet beds belong to ornamental and formal gardening. 

 Formal and ornamental gardening are widely separated from landscape gardening. 

 The former two require skill in architecture, in stone work, in plant butchery. The 

 latter requires love and appreciation of nature, a true ingenuity and a sense of 

 beauty, harmony and fitness. 



And thus, while it is interesting and often desirable to plant specimens for 

 their individual value, if you wish a pleasing picture, do not allow the individual 

 to attract undue attention, but place it with its comrades. Plant in groups. Strive 

 for harmony in flower and foliage, ease in outline and natural effect. Have in 

 mind the picture and work to that end. At the same time, every detail of the 

 picture should possess interest as well as beauty. 



