GARDEN DESIGN. 



579 



In grounds of the kind described the effect of isolated flower-beds 

 is rarely harmonious. When a house stands on ground even slightly 

 raised, the construction of enclosed terrace gardens sometimes forms 

 an interesting improvement, and the sacrifice of a few trees may be 

 justifiable. Better still if they are so happily placed that one can 

 work them into the plan. 



The general failing of an old establishment is that in early days 

 too much (or too little) respect was paid to badly placed trees, which 

 in the end do not assist picturesque composition in spite of individual 

 beauty. 



How often a fine tree obstructs a good view ! Half of a landscape 

 gardener's work arises from differences of opinion on the question of 

 removal. It is sometimes possible to satisfy each party to a con- 

 troversy by removing a few branches to expose the view enhanced by 

 the framework of the tree, otherwise the expert will be a very clever 

 man if he succeeds in pleasing everybody. 



A satisfactory effect is offered by a group of trees of which the 

 stems are very close together, the branches combining to make one 

 well-balanced head. It is less agreeable when trees are farther apart 

 but so close that they spoil each other. One good tree is preferable 

 to two badly grown, and the sacrifice of the weaker is always worth 

 consideration. 



Ill-directed zeal is responsible for the muddle into which many 

 gardens have drifted. Almost invariably in places governed by no 

 ordered plan, the day arrives when it is found necessary to try to pull 

 things together into some coherent scheme. What is radically wrong 

 calls for radical methods of remedy, and a firm handling of the 

 plan is generally needful. 



It is best to begin at the beginning — that is, with the drive and 

 forecourt — and to correct such difficulties in dealing with the garden as 

 arise from bad planning in this respect. The next point for attack 

 is the terraces or ground surrounding the building, which should be 

 established as a pied-a-terre preparatory to the reconstruction of the 

 garden. 



The evolution of a spirit of harmony in a place full of features 

 interesting individually, but discordant as a whole, is a fascinating 

 problem. The details in the garden worth retention should be well 

 considered, and one should try to unify them in a logical manner, 

 supplying such links as may be missing. The paths are the threads 

 on which the ornaments are strung, and no path should exist which is 

 unnecessary. I prefer to arrange one grand tour which takes one 

 successively to all of the chief features of enjoyment without any 

 retracing of steps. The items of interest in the garden should be well 

 proportioned in relation to the length of the tour, and when this 

 principle is observed it assists generally in preserving the balance of 

 composition of the whole garden in the picture surveyed from the house. 



Some of the most enjoyable work which falls within the province 

 of a landscape gardener is associated with the renovation of an old 



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