572 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



since there are such wide differences between various types of 

 architecture and the peculiarities of different garden sites. A 

 classic mansion of regular design is obviously entitled to more 

 dignified treatment of the ground in its vicinity than an irregular 

 and picturesque house ; it is also clear that steep slopes and flat 

 ground cannot be dealt with in the same way. Hillsides invite the 

 construction of level spaces in order that the garden may be comfort- 

 ably enjoyed, and this necessitates a series of terraced areas, frequently 

 sustained by semi-architectural devices. Flat sites require no such 

 artificial support. These elementary examples illustrate the difficulty 

 of applying one set of rules to the design of every garden. 



An important purpose in planning a garden is to invest it with a 

 marked character, and a distinctive quality is derived from difference 

 of level. Subdivision also gives variety to an uninteresting site, 

 and these two methods are particularly conducive to symmetrical 

 treatment. When a site already possesses some striking natural 

 characteristic, there is less reason for the alteration of its normal con- 

 tours and connexion with the surroundings. When the distant view 

 is of particular dominance, it is often unwise to weaken the effect 

 by introducing comparatively petty garden details in the foreground. 

 W T hen there is no distant view or an uninteresting one, a formal garden 

 can generally be employed to advantage. When the only view is a 

 narrow vista on a central axis, a formal garden may also be arranged 

 with satisfactory effect. A small site with no view beyond can 

 usually be made interesting when treated formally, and its limitations 

 can be concealed by subdivision. By clever treatment in the land- 

 scape style one may deceive at the first glance as to the size of a garden, 

 but this is often at the expense of detailed interest. 



Speaking generally, one may say that a formal garden can be 

 justified when it does not entail the destruction of any existing trees 

 or other natural features which give special distinction to a site; 

 when the area is limited and enclosed ; and when such a garden does 

 not spoil the perspective of a view of commanding importance. 



The reputation of informal gardens has scarcely been assisted by 

 the substitution of the phrase " landscape garden." To many people's 

 minds a " landscape garden " means a succession of paths, winding 

 between clumps of planting situated without purpose upon stretches 

 of grass artificially undulated. This conception of a landscape garden 

 is not a modern one, for a century ago we find a poet complaining 

 of effects which the maker of informal gardens to-day should try 

 to avoid. 



Knight expressed his sentiments in the following lines : 



" Curse on the shrubberies' insipid scenes 

 Of tawdry fringe encircling vapid greens, 

 Where incongruities so well unite 

 That nothing can by accident be right, 

 Thickets that neither shade nor shelter yield, 

 Yet from the cooling breeze the senses shield, 



