NOTES ON GARDEN DESIGN 175 



of architecture, and not to be thought of in simple and 

 cottage-Hke places. 



Pergolas are becoming so universally popular that a few 

 special remarks on them may not be out of place. The prin- 

 ciples on which they are most successfully used and made are : 

 first, as said before, they should invariably lead definitely from 

 one place to another. A pergola set up haphazard in a garden, 

 merely as a framework to hang creepers on, can never be a 

 real success ; and if no other means of declaring its object 

 occur, a seat or arbour near one end will help. And next, the 

 really correct proportions seem to be cubical. That is, the 

 length, height and breadth of each section should be equal. 

 For example, if a width of i o feet and a length of 1 00 feet is 

 to be covered, the pillars should be 10 feet apart each way 

 and 10 feet high. There would thus be 10 equal sections or 

 cubes. The pergola at Sandringham is probably the finest in 

 this country. It forms an entrance-way from the West to the 

 East Garden ; and in addition to the charming effect of its 

 hanging masses of foliage and flowers, it gives an impression 

 of imposing and magnificent dignity. This is partly owing 

 to its large and suitable scale, but chiefly to its proportions 

 being cubical. 



In making use of all these accessories, common sense and 

 a strong feeling for suitability are required. The designer of 

 a garden must never lose sight of the main objects for which 

 it is to exist ; namely, that it may be as perfect a setting as 

 possible for the house, and may add to the comfort and 

 convenience of its owner and his friends in every way that 

 can be arranged for, without destroying its beauty or making 

 it out of keeping with the dwelling it is intended to adorn. 



In these Notes on Garden Design, no attempt has been 

 made to give lists of plants suitable for different departments 

 of the garden. It would obviously be impossible to do so in 

 the amount of space which can be devoted to this brief 

 inquiry into some of the principles and reasons for many 

 remarkable successes in the laying out of certain royal gardens. 



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