January, 1917 
T H E G A R D E N M A G A Z I N E 
215 
r 
cent upon the general axis at the outer border is 
probably the commonest treatment as it leaves 
the area in no way obstructed and the accent is 
the focal point of the whole scheme; in this 
treatment the lawn area is really the pre- 
dominating part of the general scheme and the 
accent and the plantings are the elements 
that give it finish and make it a unit in the 
ground plan. Pergolas, gateways, wall foun- 
tains, lattice designs, pieces of garden sculp- 
ture, and many variations are the commoner 
used accents in such a development. It has 
almost become a popular fallacy that pergolas 
should lead somewhere, and although the 
pergola was primarily used in such a manner, 
still I think that no better location could be 
found for the pergola than as an accent to 
such an area. Of course the outer side of the 
pergola would be latticed up or planted to 
screen views from that direction. Hooded 
gateways, colonial arches, apart from their 
personal charm would be made to serve a 
purpose in the general design. Wall foun- 
tains are often used as accents when the 
barrier is a wall and the presence of water in 
the garden will add a pleasant touch to the 
out of doors living room. Of course bird- 
baths, hermes, and other garden sculpture 
designs could be used as accents when the 
planting draws the attention to the focal 
point. 
Smaller areas are generally treated with the 
accent in the centre as in the case of courts and 
patios, the general lines may be entirely formal 
but it may be edged informally. The ac- 
cents commonly used are sun-dials, bird- 
baths, old wells, and garden sculpture. The 
sun-dial was originally a piece of garden 
furniture, and there is a sentimental attach- 
ment to sun-dials which makes them a wel- 
come feature of places of all sizes. 
Where there is a view to be preserved the 
planting around the area should be handled 
to draw attention to the view. Often river 
views, landscapes, towers and parts of the 
city’s development are desirable; in which 
case the view should be of paramount import- 
ance and should be framed by trees. 
THE PLACE FOR FURNITURE 
The yard should be inviting, and to this 
end we must have some garden furniture, to 
give the yard the look of an abiding place. 
The additions of swings, seats, chairs, and 
other useful features add much to the livability 
of the yard and attract the occupants of the 
house. Bird houses should be included in 
the scheme and the pleasure received from 
watching the birds in caring for their young 
and protecting their homes will add much 
pleasure to the many pleasant hours in the 
back yard. The back yard may be used for 
teas and other social functions, and there are 
many other ways in which the back yard may 
be made a pleasure to the family — these will 
be personal and will be found by experience. 
Home and Garden vs. House and Lot. 
[Editor’s Note. — The “House Beautiful” is a familiar theme — the striving and planning to make the interior comfortable and attractive. The 
“Grounds Beautiful” is a newer theme, but none the less a real one. The first glance at a well kept garden serves as an introduction to a family of in- 
stinctive refinement and asthetic feelings. The garden as part of the home merits the greatest attention of the people to-day. \ 
W HETHER it be an unpretentious 
cottage on the smallest possible lot 
or a mansion with spacious grounds; 
whether owned by yourself or an- 
other; the privilege is yours of making and 
keeping attractive the place which you call 
home. The most elaborate house with its 
beautiful and appropriate furnishings if 
surrounded by uncared for grounds is but 
half a home. Some one has justly said: 
“Some have a house and lot, others a home 
and garden,” and another has said: “Wher- 
ever you find a garden you find a home.” 
It has always seemed to me that the mak- 
ing of a beautiful town or city should be such 
an easy matter. If each and every property 
owner as well as every tenant could be in- 
duced to make and keep their respective 
places as attractive as it was possible to do, 
or even just keep them neat and tidy, what 
beautiful towns we should have! I have 
never been able to understand why persons 
living in rented property should not be 
willing to plant a few shrubs, a tree or a vine, 
care for them, enjoy them as long as it suited 
their convenience to remain; and go on their 
way with the hope that the next occupant 
might be just a little happier for finding some- 
thing attractive about the grounds. If 
tenants W’ere inclined to do something toward 
making their home grounds cozy and at- 
tractive and care for what was planted, I 
believe the majority of our landlords would 
be willing, if appealed to, to do something also 
in the way of permanent appropriate plant- 
ing. 
If you would have beautiful grounds, the 
first matter to receive consideration is your 
lawn. A good lawn is one which has an even 
surface, is slightly crowning, level or terraced, 
as your taste or the lay of the land may dic- 
tate. It is made of a combination of fine 
grasses — the seedsmen offer ready made 
lawn mixtures, which are reliable — but buy 
the very best seed you can obtain, and add 
perhaps a small percentage of white clover; 
sow early in spring and then keep the lawn 
free from weeds and green throughout the 
summer by constant attention — irrigate thor- 
oughly till established. The two latter things 
are more easily said than done, but are entirely 
possible to those who have the inclination, 
especially with the modern appliances now 
axailable. 
TREES FOR LAWN AND STREET 
AXriTH a commendable lawn established, 
’ ’’ consideration can be given to perman- 
ent ornamentation. As the growing of trees 
sometimes requires a life time, let tree plant- 
ing receive your immediate and earnest 
attention. If you have no street trees, do 
not necessarily follow your first impulse to 
plant something which you particularly like 
if the adjacent property owners have other 
desirable trees already planted. In many 
cities this matter is now in the hands of the 
authorities, and this should become universal. 
Strive for uniformity of street trees both as to 
kind and size so far as it is possible to do so. 
No yard, however, small should be without 
at least one tree. Here of course you may 
use what is most to your liking. If several 
are to be used, do not plant in a straight line, 
but rather group them around in irregular 
circular form or groups at the sides and back 
of the house. 
These "before and after” pictures illustrate the latent possibilities of any ordinary lot in one season. A bit of trellis, some shrubbery and a seat about the original tree turn 
the “lot” into an attractive garden 
