This produces a rectilinear, square, or round scheme with two or more strong axial lines crossing in the center. In this de sign the central focal point, unlike the terminal, must rarely be above the level of the eye, for the view of the garden be yond should not, ordinarily, be obstructed. For a central fea ture, a waterfall pool, sundial, or birdbath is excellent. Interest can be heightened by accent plants at the corners of adjacent beds, and by the use of choice plants close by. In simple gardens, a feature may be omitted and only the surrounding accent plants used. Nevertheless the centrality of such a scheme will be as strongly felt as though an actual feature were present.

Terminations

Each minor axis in a design must also have its termination. These lines cannot be prolonged indefinitely into outer space. They must be stopped. Sometimes the minor axes are more than adequately terminated, and too many focal points are created; or the designer fails to terminate them at all. There can be only one principal focal point, but minor features, if kept subordinate, heighten the effect of the main one.

Adequate termination is merely a sense of definite ending. In a small simple garden, an interesting tree or shrub set a little forward of the enclosing wall, fence, hedge, or shrub border may be all that is needed. Something is there to stop the eye from continuing in that direction and turn it back on the garden. In a larger, more elaborate garden a bench of plain design set against a good background, or a colorful pot tery jar or vase on a low pedestal, makes an excellent ter mination for a pathway. In more pretentious gardens a piece of fine sculpture serves the same purpose. All these, of course, must be selected with the main focal point in mind, for they must always be subordinate to it.

If a pathway goes through the garden enclosure into an area beyond, a gate will serve as a termination, provided it is kept closed. An open rose-arch does not terminate an axis. It enframes it and makes it all the more important by attracting attention to the vista beyond. When a minor axis leads out into a lawn area or to another garden scheme, the center line of the path can be prolonged across this area and terminated there by tree, shrub, or more important feature, and this ter minal can be independent of the main one in the garden. Since it is outside the enclosure it will not compete with the focal point of the main garden.