122 TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



" High on a hill a goodly cedar grows. 

 Of wondrous length and straight proportion, 

 That far abroad her daintie odor throws." 



Lowell, too, has seen it, for he says : 



" On yon bare knoll the pointed cedar stands." 



Low grounds, near sloughs or streams, after first allowing ample 

 space of turf, should be planted in vines and shrubs, and trees of 

 low-growing habit. The alder should be there, with its large 

 corymbs of white flowers ; and the common alder for wild grape 

 vines and clematis to run upon. These will furnish for an unsightly- 

 slough, or the banks of a creek, a band of embroidery of which 

 Mother Nature herself need not be ashamed. 



Trees of a tall, oblong or spire-like head, should stand on decliv- 

 ities, or crown the high points of the landscape. Let us suppose that 

 there is on the homestead grounds, at the rear, a gentle roll or rise 

 of five or ten feet, which we wish to enhance and make the most of. 

 Leaving the first part of the declivity as open lawn, set a line of low 

 shrubs ; next behind these place low-headed trees — the red bud, or 

 the classic and beautiful hawthorne ; then sugar maple and box 

 alder or trees of similar form; and bring up the rear with tall and 

 pointed trees; or, beginning with gooseberry bushes, follow back of 

 them in order of height with plum, apple, butternut and so on to 

 the tallest to be had. The trees will apparently be growing on a 

 ridge twice or three times its actual elevation. This is a kind of 

 deception that even old Isaac Watts Qiight excuse. On level tracts, 

 trees of medium height, honey locust, ash, sugar maple, and, of 

 course, the elm, are appropriate. The principle of which I am 

 speaking is sometimes recognized, but oftener ignored, in the erection 

 of buildings. A broad, square, low house on tTie summit of a knoll, 

 is incongruous, and painful to the view ; and a tall, pointed and tur- 

 reted structure on a level stretch of prairie, is equally an abom- 

 ination. 



In a prop'^rly executed landscape painting, the lines in the fore- 

 ground are free and bold, diminishing and softening toward the 

 background, giving the effect of distance and depth. The lawn 

 should be arranged on the same principle. There should be no 

 bushes, knickknacks or shrubs at the front ; simply a few goodly 

 trees on a smooth turf, with wide, hospitable spaces between, to "let 

 the light in and the sight out." Toward the rear the shade may be 

 more dense, nearly hiding the ground, giving, if possible, suggestive 

 glimpses of the silver surface of pond or stream ; but, at least, 

 leaving, here and there, narrow peeps through to some vague and 

 indefinite beyond. So we may help out the fancy, and an acre or 

 two shall seem to stretch away to a wide estate. 



Do not try to have every fine thing that grows. As our rooms 

 should not be wildernesses of gewgaws and bric-a-brac, so the lawn 



