58 SUBURBAN GARDENS 
so greatly upon varying levels, where these 
exist, that it is really impossible to plan with- 
out them. 
Land that is uneven of surface is more often 
found clothed with scrub trees and under- 
growth than the commoner level and conven- 
tional plot, probably because the cleared 
meadows of farm lands which are the first of- 
ferings of the country to the suburb were 
usually their level portions I suppose, while 
the hillsides were left uncultivated. And in 
this natural growth there is another valuable 
suggestion for the garden, as well as an actual 
beginning sometimes. For even the most un- 
promising specimens already established, if 
given proper care and attention, have an ad- 
vantage over trees and shrubs that are intro- 
duced. 
Preservation of such growth, however, is 
only accomplished by the preservation of the 
grades whereon it is fixed, for the surface 
levels above the roots of trees cannot be ap- 
preciably changed without great risk to the 
trees — a risk varying somewhat according to 
the varieties represented and the amount of the 
change in level, to be sure, but always present 
nevertheless. Six inches of soil added or six 
inches removed may very easily prove fatal, 
