356 
The Garden Magazine, August, 1920 
synthetic stone as compared with cut stone seems to be not so 
evident. But it is to be remembered that we still retain the 
advantages of repetition and moulding to form. Synthetic 
stone is moulded to exact shape and the tooling merely means a 
light going-over to remove the cement film and sharpen up 
edges and detail. In cut stone the finished piece must be hewn 
from a solid block, and of course a replica must be similarly 
brought forth, slowly and carefully — and not always successfully 
as to reproducing the original. But just as we cast the metal 
into the mould for a bronze statue or other work of art, we cast 
concrete into a mould to form a synthetic stone ornament. 
It seems almost needless to caution against the selection of 
THF. REST 
IN STONE 
Providing it is simple 
in line and detail the 
design that is suit- 
able for cut stone is 
quite as suitable for 
stone that is cast 
A COMPLETE MOTIF 
Benches flanking low steps whose buttresses afford opportunity 
for the use of a pair of vases, distinguish a garden’s transitions 
garden ornaments which offend because of 
too great elaboration or superfluity of num- 
bers, for the true garden lover knows too 
well that beautiful effects result from sim- 
plicity rather than from ornate elaboration 
and quantity. For the small garden or 
lawn perhaps one simple piece will be far 
preferable to two. Ornament that is ill 
chosen, though perhaps in itself meritor- 
ious, is lamentable in general effect. 
On the other hand, ornamental urns, benches, sundials, and 
statuary always have been considered an essential adjunct to 
well planned gardens and grounds. And well chosen and placed 
they always will be. In such notable examples as the park at 
Versailles, for example, statuary, urns, and fountains mark the 
natural divisions or add interest to well planned vistas. Such 
works of art, hand carved of marble or fine granites and lime- 
stones, are necessarily very expensive, almost prohibitive indeed 
in price, except for the most elaborate gardens and parks. To 
take the place of these costly ornaments, garden owners and 
planners have recourse to terra-cotta pottery and synthetic 
or cast stone ornaments. Both are far less expensive than mar- 
ble or granite, and both are available in objects well designed 
and executed with true feeling and sincerity. 
All lawn and garden ornaments should be carefully set in 
place to insure them a solid foundation and a look of stability. 
INVARIABLY RUGGED YET OF FLOWING, GRACIOUS LINE 
Delicacy of curve is as possible in synthetic stone as in 
any other medium, the whole matter resolving itself in 
the last analysis into the old question of good taste 
A SUNDIAL PEDESTAL OF MORE AMBITIOUS CONCEPTION 
Here the classic column, with its refinement of fluting and base 
moldings, well demonstrates the potentialities lying in a material 
sometimes regarded with suspicion because as yet rarely understood. 
