Modernizing Ol) 
Ftome Grounds 
Age imparts charm and beauty to many 
things and not the least of these is the vege- 
tation about many fine old homes. Trees 
planted by the grandparents of the present 
generation are often priceless elements of 
our present day landscape. 
Valuable as these trees may be—they are 
rarely sufficient by themselves to complete 
the modern landscape picture. Buildings 
have been modernized. Our method of living 
has changed from the front porch era. Fre- 
quently the changes made to grounds have 
been make-shifts. Outlooks that were once 
well planned have been spoiled by new 
buildings too close to the old grounds. 
An Harmonious Composition of Landscape and 
Architecture—The Terrace Was Added When 
the House Was Remodeled 

[5] 

Careful Study Was Necessary to 
Make This New Home Fit on 
Beautiful, Old Grounds 
Careful study of these situations will 
frequently bring amazing results. New 
border plantings will give new unity to 
the composition. Utilization of portions 
of open areas for terraces, gardens or 
games will result in new usefulness and 
interest from the old grounds. These 
can be accomplished with an eye to- 
ward the greater privacy demanded by 
our changed conditions. 
A large part of the most successful 
landscapes are those built around ma- 
tured plantings. Not only to preserve 
these plantings, but to make use of 
them to the best advantage, requires 
skillful planning. Careful surveys of 
existing trees and shrub groups are 
necessary in order to provide data for 
thorough study of the plan. Moderniza- 
tion of old home grounds is one of the 
most difficult jobs the Landscape Archi- 
tect has to handle, but oddly, perhaps, 
most often results in the greatest satis- 
faction for all concerned. 
