Department of Landscape Gardening. 
One of the first questions that arises with the purchaser of a new estate is the improvement and orna¬ 
mentation of the grounds. 
The business man has but little time to give this matter study and attention, and it is not generally known 
that an expert in this line can be consulted as readily and advantageously as one consults his lawyer, his 
architect or his doctor; hence the great number of estates that fall far short of giving the satisfaction they 
might to their owners, and that are eyesores to the neighbors instead of being, as they easily could be made, 
“ things of beauty,” and therefore “joys forever.” 
How out of place and unfinished a mansion appears, however artistic in itself, when situated in unde¬ 
veloped or inartistically treated grounds. 
Building architects are recognized as a necessity in the successful accomplishment of all large building 
operations, yet the value of the landscape architect, for laying out private or public grounds is not so gener¬ 
ally understood. Each, however, is really indispensable in his respective field. 
As this country grows in taste and wealth, the importance of the house and grounds, which together con¬ 
stitute the home, making an harmonious whole, is becoming more and more apparent, and these remarks 
are as applicable, if not more so, to the lot containing five or ten thousand square feet, as to the great 
estate comprising many acres. 
We know of many properties both small and great, that by intelligent expenditure of very moderate 
amounts have in this way been increased hundreds — yes, thousands of dollars in actual market value. 
We realize fully this growing want, and also that the ordinary land owner, as intimated above, does not 
appreciate how readily and inexpensively one’s surroundings can be beautified when treated by one suitably 
trained for the work, through natural taste perfected by study and experience. 
We have established therefore, in connection with our comprehensive business, a department of landscape 
gardening and engineering, under the charge of a competent party whom we can recommend to our patrons. 
Where the Building Architect can, by his superior knowledge of material, its adaptability to the condi¬ 
tions involved and the artistic combination of the same, produce the most harmonious and practical results 
with the greatest economy, so the Landscape Gardener can, with his unusual and varied knowledge of I rees, 
Shrubs and Flowers, as well as of their best use for the most harmonious and satisfactory results, together 
with his practical knowledge of soils, climatic and ^ther conditions, produce the most desirable effects for his 
clients at a minimum expenditure of time and money. 
Our system of procedure in such work is a personal interview with the client, an examination of the 
grounds and an understanding of the requirements and capabilities of the same; followed by a sketch plan to 
be submitted showing the proposed improvements. This affords opportunity for acceptance or the making of 
any desired changes: later, a complete detailed working and planting plan drawn to an accurate scale, thus 
making possible the completion of the work, without further professional skill. 
Estimates on agreed-on improvements are supplied, together with special quotations, on planting lists. 
We will furnish clients who have no regular gardeners for carrying out the actual planting operations, 
with men and competent superintendents for the work. 
Our charges vary according to the complexity and volume of the work required. 
It is readily seen that the course of procedure outlined above necessarily saves our clients much of the 
worry and many of the costly mistakes common to persons unfamiliar with such work and whose business or 
social requirements render a close study of the matter quite out of the question. 
The saving gained by the special rates alone on shrubs, plants and the other necessary material that we 
can usually arrange for where the entire work of ornamenting a place is undertaken by us in a systematic 
and complete manner, often far exceeds the original cost of the plans and advice. 
Office labor in carrying out the detail plan work is charged at a definite amount per hour to which the 
value of the drawing material is added. 
Professional visits for advice and suggestions are made at a definite rate agreed upon when the time 
required for such visits is understood. 
Where plans are not essential and judicious advice alone is needed, such advice will be given at reason¬ 
able rates. 
Correspondence on this subject is solicited. 
Yours respectfully, 
To facilitate business, please address 
JOSEPH BRECK & SONS, Corp., 
47 to 54 No. Market Street, Boston, Mass. 
“ Department of Landscape Gardening.” 
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