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AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



August, 1907 



In the formal gardens of 

 suburban Philadelphia, espe- 

 cially those connected with 

 the country seats of German- 

 town, Chelten Hills and 

 Ashbourne, the use of cement 

 in constructive and decorative 

 work is especially notable. 



American gardens. In con- 

 nection v/ith the most modern 

 methods of introducing con- 

 crete walls and boundaries 

 with distinctly modern-look- 

 ing but graceful designs In 

 concrete garden-seats, there 

 will be added numerous for- 



The Statue of Spring in a 

 Fountain Pool 



Probably the best example 

 of the extensive use to 

 which it is attaining is evi- 

 denced at the Ashbourne 

 country seat of Peter A. B. 

 Widener, Esq., with Its 

 rarely beautiful formal 



gardens. Beautiful garden-marbles have been Introduced in 

 these formal gardens In connection with the cement castings 

 and the durable concrete constructive work; but there has 

 been no attempt to display antiquities. This is the mistake 

 too frequently made in the decorative features of formal 



A Sunken Garden Rich in Design and Effective 

 in Ornamentation 



A Central Fountain Statue of 

 a Sunken Garden 



eign marbles, supposed to 

 possess additional charm 

 from their antiquity. 

 Among these will be found 

 curious wall-fountains and 

 old tree-tubs, with figures 

 in relief. Ancient flower- 

 jars and quaint well-curbs, Italian Renaissance fish-basins, 

 huge French vases, an antique sarcophagus, with drain-holes 

 drilled in to form a plant-holder, stately garden-urns of 

 Italian design and elaborate benches — all displaying, if pos- 

 sible, the charm of the antique. In fact, so great has become 



