Shrubbery on the division line secures the privacy of this garden which is within the city 
limits 
A wall enclosing the law-n provides a safe playground for the family. The pergola is a 
centre of composition 
The Development of the Garden Plot 
LEONIDAS WILLING RAMSEY, 
THE THREE BASIC SCHEMES OF TREATMENT OF THE HOME PLOT — DECIDE DEFINITELY ON THE PLAN OF 
DEVELOPMENT BEFORE ORDERING ANY NURSERY STOCK— THE PROPER USE OF GARDEN FURNITURE 
E ven in communities that are more 
or less progressive, there is often a 
noticeable tendency to beautify the 
fore part of the home grounds, yet 
at the same time the rear yard may be allowed 
to take care of itself. Of course the opposite 
of this should be the case, for although the 
front of the house is exposed to the public 
view, the rear portion of the property mat' be 
used as an out of door living room for the 
entire family — and indeed should be so con- 
sidered. The rear portion offers more oppor- 
tunity for individual expression and may 
be so’ arranged that the passer-by may get a 
glimpse of the attractiveness within, yet at 
the same time have seclusion for the owner. 
There is no reason why the rear yard should 
be littered with rubbish and play things, even 
in built up sections, with unsightly views 
upon all sides, for the rear ^ 
yard if judiciously planned 
and planted will add much 
to the beauty of the home 
grounds and contribute 
much to the livability of the 
place. We have our houses 
painted often, for we realize 
that it is a saving in the 
long run; and yet we allow 
our back yards to grow up 
in a haphazard manner 
when a few shrubs would 
add much to the value of 
the place and make the rear 
yard a place of pleasant 
memories; and the shrub- 
bery, unlike the paint, grows 
more beautiful each year. 
As a landscape architect 
I have had the opportunity 
of coming In contact with a 
great number of people who 
wish to have the front lawn 
planted but who do not care 
in what manner the rear is 
treated; however, the same 
people find the back yard a 
source of great enjoyment 
when it is properly devel- 
oped and are ever thankful 
to the designer who is re- 
sponsible for showing how 
it can be accomplished. 
1 o begin with the rear 
area should be screened so that there may be 
absolute privacy, so that even though in the 
heart of the city the yard will seem a part of the 
Suggestion for the use of furniture in the garden 
The three basic lines of development are shown here. All gardens are of necessity moulded on one of three 
schemes. A. Accent on central axis; B. Accent on centre of area; C. Accent on view outside of area 
great out of doors — that is the prime principle 
to start on. Privacy' may be secured by the 
use of planting or the construction of walls; 
either of which will serve admirably if in 
keeping with the general character of the 
scheme. In planting around the area the 
conditions surrounding the property are to 
be carefully studied and any objectionable 
views planted out. Attractive lattice works 
and fences in keeping with the problem 
will add much in the artistic treatment of 
such an area. 
In planting the garden, plants should be 
selected that would giv'e the out of door 
living room a modest, unassuming air. Al- 
though there should be color in the garden at 
all seasons of the year, it is well to exercise 
care in preventing a flashy, extravagant ap- 
pearance. Shrubs that have berries may be 
planted which will add cheer 
to the garden in winter and 
attract birds during the 
summer; nothing can add a 
pleasanter touch to the gar- 
den than the presence of 
birds which return to the 
garden each year during the 
mating season. Taste 
should be shown in con- 
cealing manifestations and 
the garden should be one of 
quietness and refinement; 
and after all the quietness 
of expression is the surest 
index to refinement and 
taste. 
Disregarding all formal 
areas in connection with the 
house and the vegetable 
garden which will be an ad- 
junct part of the general 
scheme, the small rear areas 
are divided into three gen- 
eral groups; (i) those that 
have their accent upon the 
general axis of the area but 
at the outer boundary, (2) 
those that have their accent 
at the centre of the area ,and 
(3) those that have their 
accent outside of the area, 
the view being framed by 
the border planting. 
The area that has its ac- 
214 
