DESIGN IN THE SUBURBAN GARDEN. 



75 



small space within which comparative seclusion is obtained, and through 

 which the rest of the garden is seen. This feature is exemplified in the 

 plan of " The Orchard," Harrow-on-the-Hill (fig. 21), and in the garden 

 at Ealing (fig. 19). The general arrangement must of course be governed 

 by the surroundings, but if possible it should be centralised from the 

 principal sitting-room window looking on to it, so that standing in the 

 window the garden would as it were unfold itself to us from that point. 



That this enclosure can be contrived in a variety of ways is obvious, 

 but elaboration is not essential, for it is surprising how slight a screen 

 will convey the idea of seclusion. A simple arrangement of upright posts, 

 joined at the top by a rail and covered by some sturdy climber, is really 

 almost all that is wanted, forming as it does the frame through which we 

 look. 



In any garden, no matter how small, I would strongly advocate 

 the growing of fruit trees, whether standards or espaliers, the latter 

 perhaps especially lending themselves to a confined space and systematic 

 handling. In all probability there will be no room for a kitchen garden, 

 but if, at the end, some portion of the space is reserved for fruit trees 

 there cannot fail to be found in them a continual interest and delight, 

 and if separated from the rest by a well-designed trellis screen, their half- 

 veiled charm is still further enhanced. I would rather like to emphasise 

 this growing of fruit trees, as it seems to me that, beautiful though flowers 

 are, they are more ephemeral than the productive and permanent fruit 

 tree, which by its presence gives us in some measure a return to the 

 primitive condition which made the garden a vital necessity. In effect, 

 then, it seems to me that for the back garden we can take the three 

 essentials, seclusion, usefulness, and pleasure ; and, bearing them in mind, 

 can so arrange the plan that it will exemplify these principles, though the 

 actual design may be varied in a thousand pleasing ways to suit the 

 individual taste and requirement of each owner. While there should be 

 nothing in the way of theatrical effect, there should certainly be some 

 effort to differentiate the several parts and if possible to screen each from 

 the other, thus assisting to gain that air of seclusion and peace which 

 should above all others obtain. 



These are, therefore, the main principles upon which I think we may 

 work, and there are here illustrated a few plans which will serve to explain 

 their embodiment better. 



The first is the plan of a garden designed by Mr. John Belcher, A.R.A. 

 It is typical of the long narrow plot of ground, with the house set back 

 a little from the road ; surely, in its original nakedness, sufficiently 

 uninviting to daunt the most optimistic garden enthusiast. The house 

 is clearly too much to one side of the plot to allow of a satisfactory 

 " central " scheme from it, but notice the seat set in a thoroughly secluded 

 position from which the garden unfolds itself on a central line, and how 

 an added sense of mystery is given by the subdivision and well-ordered 

 balance of each part. I think this plan is so full of thought and 

 character that it forms a far more potent argument in its favour than 

 any words of mine could do. (Fig. 18.) 



Here is another plan which, though it cannot be compared with 

 Mr. Belcher's, illustrates the idea that some especial care may with 



