PLEA FOR BEAUTY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 89, 6 July 1927, Page 10

PLEA FOR BEAUTY

LAY-OUT OF GARDENS LYCEUM CLUB LECTURE The first two essentials for a beautiful garden are shade and water. Principles in garden design were propounded before the gardening circle of the Lyceum Club yesterday by Mr. A. Brown, the Auckland architect. Mrs. A. Kidd, who presided over the “open” afternoon, introduced the speaker. The effort of the true artist, said Mr. Brown, was to make the spirit of the garden take a definite form in the mind. People were now realising the crying need of improvement in townplanning methods. The new democracy was making a plea for beauty in its demand for civic squares. Streets, it was suggested, should be planted with trees and garden plots. Mr. Brown advocated, with reference to the planning of gardens, which surrounded the modern house, that simplicity and a fomal lay-out should be emphasised. Lawns, grassy slopes, and drives which meant easy access to the home should be the main considerations. The planting of flower beds could then follow a definite scheme. Even a kitchen garden could be made a thing of beauty, said Mr. Brown. He suggested that fruit trees should Ibe grown in the kitchen garden | espalier fashion. In America, and i more recently in England, said Mr.

Brown, many of the gardens were left without fences or hedges facing the street. "This gives a very pleasurable aspect to the city,” he added. Mr. Brown also drew attention to the notable gardens of the past, including those at Versailles and Hamp- ! ton Court Palace. A series of lantern slides illustrated many picturesque and delightful gardens.