;[74 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



lay out our farms, our nurseries, and our town lots in such a manner as 

 to make them as useful and convenient as possible, at the same time in- 

 troducing such trees, flowers, and othiT accessories of Landscape Gar- 

 dening as may be cf)nsistent with our ability to pay for, and the end de- 

 sired, and not carry them on in the common mixed-up way. 



If one has a country place, and is able to furnish the money, he 

 can have his lakes, fountains, and rcK k-work. and what one worthy horti- 

 culturist, and geologist too, 1 believe, in his contempt for the art saw fit 

 to designate as " turpentine walks," provided of course, that any or all 

 of these modes of ornamenting are consistent with the natural character 

 of the place and with the rest of the improvements. But to attempt 

 anything of the kind without the ability to carry it out is worse than 

 useless. 



Within the limits of a short essay on the subject, of course I can 

 not go into any detailed plan or instructions ; but will try to give a few 

 hints on the matter that perhaps may be of service. 



First of all, begin with a plan and endeavor to have some system in 

 the mode of operation. The site for the dwelling-house should be first 

 selected by going carefully over the ground, and estimating the advant- 

 ages and disadvantages of every location that may seem at all desirable. 

 A central location with good drainage and well sheltered, if there are 

 any trees on the place, would likely be most suitable. Then the out- 

 buildings, pasture-ground, cultivated land, and the place most suitable 

 for planting a forest, (and some of us, I believe, think forest planting is 

 the main thing after all) should be thought about. Perhaps some of the 

 land needs draining ; in that case a system of drainage should be laid 

 out that will when completed fully accomplish its purpose in draining 

 the land at the least expense, and furnish a supply of water, if needed. 



The best method of doing all planning is to have a map of the 

 place made, (drawn to any convenient scale) showing all present and fu- 

 ture improvements accurately located ; for all work can usually be laid out 

 to much better advantage on paper than on the ground itself. Besides, 

 if one proceeds in this manner he is apt to give much more thought 

 and careful study to the requirements of his plan than he otherwise 

 would. 



It may be thought that this is taking much unnecessary trouble, 

 and wasting time to no purpose ; but it is nevertheles true that no place 

 can be laid out to the best advantage in any other way. It is not ne- 

 cessary to finish the map in the style that a professional would adojDt, 

 only let it indicate the location of whatever enters into the composition. 

 Some may say, " I can not make a map. I can not draw." Very well. I 

 by no means recommend any one to make his own ])lans when he can ob- 

 tain the assistance of one experienced in such matters ; but I think that 

 if all could be persuaded to study the subject, and mature plans to the 

 best of their ability, they would much more fully apreciate the services 

 of those who make it their business to plan, and not be so careful about 

 a few dollars where so much is at stake 



