P. X Bcrckmans Co., Inc. 
Landscape Architects 
Phone 6636 
Augusta, Georgia 
7 | LTHOUGH Landscape Gardening is one of the oldest of the arts, the work of the 
I profession of Landscape Architecture, in its modern sense, is comparitively new. 
In spite of this fact, the value of the service now rendered by this profession is 
very generally understood, since the number of good examples of its work is rapidly 
increasing, and the appreciation of the artistic design, in these, by people of good 
taste, is steadily growing. 
The Landscape Architect is one who “arranges land and the features on that 
land for the purpose of utility and beauty." In brief, his work is that of arranging 
elementary materials—trees, flowers, earth, rock and water, in a comprehensive plan, 
that embodies ideas, both practical and aesthetic. In arranging these materials, he is 
a designer, just as an Architect is a designer. He begins each problem by answering, 
first, the demands of utility, and works from these, to the final decoration or embellish¬ 
ment of all parts of the design. His work should begin before the buildings are 
definitely designed and located, as there are many considerations, in the choosing of the 
site, that do not properly enter into the Architect’s field. 
The P. J. Berckmans Company, Inc., respectfully offers its services, as Landscape 
Architects to all persons who are interested in the laying out of land for practical and 
aesthetic purposes. The men who have charge of this work have had the best of techni¬ 
cal training in the Schools of Landscape Architecture in Harvard University and in the 
State College of Pennsylvania; and have traveled extensively in this country and abroad 
for the purpose of studying the best work in landscape design. Their knowledge of the 
flora, suitable for landscape work in this section of the country, is the result of the 
firm’s fifty years of experience. t 
The practice of this office includes the making of reports, designs and specifica¬ 
tions for the development of large country estates, the grounds of suburban or city 
homes (the small place often needs the more careful attention), formal and informal 
gardens, garden accessories, such as pergolas, fountains and garden houses; the grounds 
of country clubs, golf clubs, educational institutions and public buildings; parks and park¬ 
ways, cemeteries, playgrounds, industrial villages and land sub-divisions. It is prepared, 
also, to give advice upon forest culture and problems in city planning. 
Professional Methods—A visit to the property, and a consultation with the owner, 
is the first step. If buildings are to be erected, the owner, Architect and Landscape 
Architect should consult together, to determine the best site, and outline the general 
arrangement of the most important features. This saves expense, and gives the Landscape 
Architect an advantage in working out the design. A topographical survey is next 
prepared, and over this a preliminary plan is made, which outlines the general design 
in a tentative way. When this is approved, working drawings for grading, construc¬ 
tion and planting are made. Planting is studied to bring out the general design, and 
to obtain harmonious groupings according to growth, texture and color. The adapta¬ 
bility of plants to soil and climatic conditions is carefully considered. 
Charges—Charges are made on a per diem basis, for time spent in consultation, 
in the preparation of reports, plans and specifications, and in traveling, if the latter 
must be done during office hours. All traveling, and living expense is rendered as an 
additional charge, but, when several clients are visited on one trip, this expense is pro¬ 
portioned among them. 
A statement, giving more detailed information, 
will be forwarded on request. 
