CREATING BEAUTIFUL SURROUNDINGS 
19 
development which is distinctly ours) . . . down a gradual slope 
that has been planted to simulate Nature at her loveliest, one is 
lured to a pool, a sunken garden, or sometimes to a formal rose 
garden. 
In the strong yellow glow of our Southwestern sunlight, pour¬ 
ing over our rolling plains and hillsides in intensity for six to eight 
months of the year, the ideas of both the Orient and Europe must 
be altered and adapted to meet our needs. Our climatic range 
includes some of the features that both experience, which makes 
the designs of each peculiarly applicable to our requirements. We 
like the sense of geometric order which one gets from a formal 
design, yet the temper of our people—that all-pervading cordiality, 
hospitality and geniality—will not admit of stiffness. We merely 
insist on that appropriate arrangement of grounds to house which, 
like one’s clothes, must fit, be becoming and in style. 
To secure this there are several important factors that everyone 
must consider carefully. Certain physical conditions must be recog¬ 
nized to insure perfection of detail and successful results. Such 
vital though general questions as the range of the temperature 
(heat and cold); the amount of moisture (natural or artificial); 
the quality of the soil; the exposure of the location; and the con¬ 
tour of the land, must be known and intelligently studied. 
Everyone must cope with these essentials, yet each gardener’s 
problem is different, due to the fact that the combination of 
these five factors is infinitely varied. Therefore, no decided rules 
can be given, although certain specific directions may be stated, 
and attention be called to those established lines upon which the 
landscaping of a well-balanced, well-planned garden and grounds 
depend. 
Stress has too often been placed by landscape and garden ex¬ 
perts upon creating the garden itself an example of landscaping 
perfection, without enough thought having been paid to its specific 
place as merely a part of the whole picture of the buildings in 
relation to their surroundings. The design to be complete must 
present a pleasing effect when viewed on approaching the property, 
Southwest 
Physical 
Require¬ 
ments 
Information 
Needed 
