LAYING OUT GROUNDS. 



even amply gratified, in return for the diligent use of those means which a merciful provi- 

 dence has placed within the reach of all. 



And thus will it ever be found in reference to the stud}^ of the beautiful in nature, and 

 the adaptation of her wilds and wildernesses to our present uses. The more we become 

 practicalljr acquainted with the associations of country life, the more shall we becomesen- 

 aible of the numberless instances in which lougb untouched grounds admit of being ac- 

 commodated bj' the experienced e3'e, to the immediate wants and requirements of the ele- 

 gancies of domestic life, and this, very frequently, by simple, although most eifective, be- 

 cause judiciously directed means. 



The first thing to be done in setting about to lay out grounds of moderate extent, is to 

 take a survey of the whole, and determine upon the situation for the house or villa, as- 

 suming that it is not already erected. In doing this, one of the chief considerations 

 should be the aspect, and its situation as regards elevation. This, to be judiciously de- 

 cided upon, must depend not only upon the greater or less extent of the grounds, and 

 their even surface or the contrarj'^, but also upon the nature of the surrounding localities; 

 for instance, the presence or absence of river, lake, or any considerable expanse of water, 

 or of mountainous, or less elevated scenery in the vicinity. More cannot, therefore, be 

 said upon that point, (within our limited space,) than that due regard should be had to 

 these accidents of situation, so as to take advantage of the surrounding scenerj', and so to 

 place the residence that it should command an extensive, and at the same time as varied a 

 view, as ma}' be. 



The situation for the house being determined upon, the general plan of the whole ground 

 has to be arranged. Of course, any domestic offices and out-houses, such as stables, wood 

 house, poultry house, &c., should be placed in the rear of the dwelling house, and be con- 

 cealed from sight b}' a small plantation of trees, and b}' the kitchen garden, taking care, 

 in the position of the latter, that a fjivorable aspect is obtained for it, with a southern ex- 

 posure as nearly as possible. 



The general effect now to be given to tlie whole, will mainly depend upon two circum- 

 stances; the one the distribution of the trees and shrubs, and the other, the nature of the 

 surface. The most favorable ground for landscape gardening, is that which is uneven — 

 presenting an undulating surface, and if with mounds and elevations at some parts, or 

 with a gentle ascent of a considerable portion of it in another direction, so much the bet- 

 ter. The distant scenery should be glanced over, with a view to endeavor to bring it in, 

 by opening its most picturesque portions. The removal of a few trees at intervals, will 

 often effect this, taking care in so doing, that such only are cut down, as are not essential 

 to the home scenery — and only removing sufficient to obtain the view, without exposing 

 the privacy of the residence. 



If in the distant landscape a view of water can be brought in, nothing adds more, and 

 few things so much, to the general effect. In the introduction of the distant .scenery, care 

 should be taken to avoid opening to view those parts of it which may not offer agreeable 

 features; and unless the scene of operations be on an elevated situation, it is generally ex- 

 pedient to avoid the exposure of a great breadth of fiat country, unless bounded b}' dis- 

 tant hills. Then, again, the question of what parts of the outer sceenery are to be open- 

 en upon, must, in many instances, be regulated by that within the grounds. If, for in- 

 stance, there happens to be within the grounds a considerable plantation of dense foliage, 

 wiiich it is desirable to retain for tlie purpose of shelter, or for any particular reason, a 

 ct will usually result from cutting through it a small opening, by which a pleasi 

 is caught of the distant view. By such means the sombreness of the mass 



