Harry Shepherd, age 15, of Casper, Wyo., for his question:

IS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AN OLD PROFESSION?

Landscape architecture is the science and art of modifying land areas by organizing natural, cultivated or constructed elements according to an aesthetic plan. As long ago as 3,000 B.C. there were Egyptian gardeners who were also landscape architects.

These ancient Egyptian landscape architects planted gardens within the walled enclosures surrounding homes. In time these gardens came to be formally laid out around a rectangular fish pond flanked by ornamental rows of fruit trees and ornamental plants.

In ancient Mesopotamia, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. They included full size trees planted on earth covered terraces raised on stone vaults in a corner of the palace complex of Nebuchadnezzar II.

In ancient Greece, houses included a walled court or garden, usually surrounded by a colonnade. In the fifth century B.C., Athens public gardens and colonnaded walks attached to the Academy and the Lyceum were much frequented by philosophers and their disciples.

Roman villas on the hilly terrain near Rome were designed with terraced gardens. Rich Romans laid out lavish pleasure grounds including porticoes and gardens with sculpture.

In ancient China, palaces, temples and houses were built around a series of courtyards that often included trees and plants in pots that could be changed with the seasons. Pools were another favorite item with early Chinese landscape architects.

Japan has a long tradition of gardens inspired by Chinese anti Korean models. Landscapers included pools and waterfalls, rocks, sand and evergreens. They also often used stone lanterns and sculptures as well as wooden bridges, gates and pavilions.

Every element of the Japanese garden was carefully planned by the landscape architect, often a Zen monk. The gardens were created to effect a feeling of restraint, harmony and peace.

In medieval Europe, ravaged by invasions and incessant wars, gardens were generally small and enclosed for protection within the fortified walls of monasteries and castles.

The gardens of most monasteries were surrounded by cloistered walks and had a well or fountain at the center, possibly inspired by Persian gardens.

During the Renaissance in Italy, when conditions became more stable, castles gave way to palaces and villas where landscape architects laid out extensive grounds in the Roman tradition.

Italian gardens of the early 17th century became complex in the dramatic baroque style. They were distinguished by lavish use of serpentine lines, sculptured figures and spouting fountains and waterfalls.

Later in the 17th century, France replaced Italy as the primary inspiration of landscape design. The vast programs of Louis XIV included miles of symmetrical arranged gardens which, like royal architecture of the period, were designed to give an impression of limitless grandeur.