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of the former is of comeliness. After a few years have elapsed, an em- 

 bryo orchard shoots up to relieve the general monotony, distinguished 

 by a number of green lines, so formally and abrubtly defined that it looks 

 like a thing per se, having no connection or harmony in itself, or with 

 anything else in nature. 



Few States in the Union can compare with Wisconsin in the capability 

 of furnishing materials for creating beautiful landscapes ; nor need we go 

 out of it to seek for the choicest models. The world-renowned parks of 

 "Old England" do not afford better opportunities than our own oak 

 openings — with their graceful and flowing outlines, and their gently un- 

 dulating sweeps, the noble vistas — here contracted, there extended — in 

 this direction, radiant with some gleaming lakelet half concealed; in an- 

 other, reflecting sombre shadows from some lazy stream ; and as a whole, 

 producing such harmony of coloring, so rich a distribution of light and 

 shade as cannot fail to delight, but never cloy, the most artistic eye. — 

 When a dwelling is located amidst the oak openings, the occupant can 

 have no difficulty in laying out his grounds, for the scenery around will, 

 be suggestive of the character of all his out-door embellishments, and 

 his aim will be to make them tend to the idea of connectedness and con- 

 sistency with that. In such situations, to make startling: contrasts is 

 attended with no small amount of expense, and a demand of no common- 

 place skill. In this State, nature is so lavish of the materials for verdant 

 decoration that little or no expense need be incurred in furnishing, but 

 rather in thinning out, and only subduing a reasonable portion of the 

 land foi usefulness or convenience, without impairing any of the natural 

 or local beauties. When it is desired to give a park-like appearance to a 

 whole farm, where the land is well timbered, nothing can be more easy. 

 The square, or quadrangular form, may generally be the most convenient 

 for fencing off" the various fields, but it is not necessary that they should 

 assume that form. By a little management, the fences at a certain point 

 may be so concealed by clumps of trees left standing as to take away any 

 formality, and obscure the real boundary of a field. The size of the 

 fields, and the distance and distribution of the clumps, will of course de- 

 pend on the extent of the farm, and the purposes to which it is devoted. 

 The clumps of trees should consist of irregular, detached masses, or oc- 

 casionally single trees, when they possess individual beauty to recommend 

 them, and can maintain the idea of connectedness. Under this arrange- 

 ment, a farm would partake of the character of a forest scene subjected 



