574 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of shrubs at the point of connexion between terrace and garden, 

 are valuable aids to harmony. 



In the time at my disposal it would be hopeless to attempt to 

 grapple seriously with the question of planning. I propose to say but 

 a few words on one or two of the chief resources at the disposal of the 

 garden designer. We all recognize the importance of a lawn as a 

 factor in garden planning — a factor which unites and gives repose and 

 stability to all parts. The texture of grass is so serviceable that it 

 will carry the eye over a gap, like a sunk road, without any break in 

 continuity. Beyond the garden boundary it will reappear on rising 

 ground and serve again to connect the far distance and bring the 

 entire prospect into harmony. It is not surprising that no substitute 

 can be found to compete with grass as a foreground in garden landscape, 

 and whenever one is in doubt as to what to do with the ground 

 immediately in front of the house, no safer expedient could be adopted 

 than to introduce green sward. Many gardens are spoilt by the notion 

 that this situation calls necessarily for the planting of brightly coloured 

 flowers. 



The subject of planting requires a volume to itself for adequate 

 treatment. It is the chief factor upon which the attraction of an 

 informal garden depends. The placing of the right kinds of trees and 

 shrubs in their right places is a matter of the first importance. 

 In considering the question one must distinguish between planting 

 for broad landscape effects and the finer and more delicate treatment 

 required nearer home, although in each case the effects of balance and 

 proportion are obtained by means of the proper combination of trees, 

 shrubs, and grass. The great problem is to dispose grass and plants 

 in such a way that from every salient point the exact limits of 

 neither can be traced. The expanse of light on a lawn must be 

 diversified by shadow. When the number of trees is excessive the 

 light and shade effects are without sufficient breadth, and one must 

 therefore try to establish an intricacy which is midway between uni- 

 formity and confusion. The site is sometimes so restricted that it 

 offers opportunities for no more than one principal picture. In such 

 a case one should concentrate upon the composition of this one picture 

 as completely as possible, and not spoil it by attempting too much 

 variety. 



A landscape effect is always more satisfactory when it is based upon 

 one dominating line of view, because scenes in which two or three 

 vistas are competing for notice produce a distracting and confused 

 result. 



The positions of the chief masses of planting must first be settled. 

 These can be decided more or less arbitrarily by the necessity for 

 providing shelter from winds, and screening unsightly objects. 

 Having determined the dimensions and outline of plantings required 

 for purposes of utility, it is not difficult to settle the approximate 

 positions of other large masses wanted to provide a rough balance 



