LAYING OUT GROUNDS. 



effect upon home scenery, is much relieved. Another effect of striking elegance is produc 

 ed, if, in exposing the distant landscape to the grounds, it can be so done that any fine, 

 noble tree, (or group of two or three trees,) upon them, can be left standing, mid- way, 

 as it were, between the observer and the outer landscape; Avhether the tree or group is 

 so placed as to be presented to the eye at the side or center of the general view, is of little 

 moment. Few who recall to mind the magnificent effects produced b}"- many of the great 

 landscape painters, by placing a tree in the foreground of their paintings, will fail to ap- 

 preciate readily the value of such an addition to the landscape. And although it may be 

 expedient to get one pretty extensive view of distant objects, assuming them, in character, 

 to present pleasing associations, it should always be borne in mind that more ornament 

 and variety are given to the general effect, (and particularly to the home scenery,) by 

 opening the distant prospect at several distinct points of view from the grounds, than by 

 exposing from one point a great extent of distant objects, by the sweeping destruction of 

 intervening foliage. 



The distance having been called into requisition to the limit of its capability, the home .sce- 

 nery mustnDxtbeattended to — by which is meant the laying out those parts of the ground 

 not intended for garden culture, or required for domestic purposes. And it is here that a 

 small expenditure judiciously laid out by the landscape gardener, admits of the produc- 

 tion of great results; whilst unfortunately the practiced eye too often sees that it is here, 

 more than in any other pai'ticular, that large sums of money are expended frequently in 

 taking Jrom, instead of adding to, the rural beaut}' of the grounds. 



If it is wished to retain, (as it is generally expedient to do,) a part of the grounds im- 

 mediately in front and adjacent to the house, as lawn, turf, or pleasure ground, that por- 

 tion, (be it greater or less, according to the wish of the proprietor,) should be marked off, 

 and shoufd be surrounded either by a fence or ditch. If the former, it is best that it 

 should be of light iron, or wire, so that it may be as invisible as may be, but if of wood, 

 as light, rustic, and elegant as possible; and it should be painted dark green, or some dark, 

 in preference to any light color. If a ditch, it should not be less than four feet wide, and 

 the earth dug out in making it should be throw^n up and made to form an embankment on 

 the homestead side. In case it is intended to plant the part so enclosed, with ornamental 

 trees and shrubs, it must be cleared from all brush and under-wood, and also from the 

 greater portion of the larger trees, leaving, however, here and there, one of them, to form 

 a contrast to the effects of art culture. 



The treatment of tlie grounds outside this home fence, requires a more extended notice. 

 In the first place, supposing the ground to be hilly and uneven, above all things avoid the 

 prevailing error of setting to work to level it. It may be necessary in particular places, 

 and in some parts of many places, to expend some time and money in this use of the spade 

 and wheelbarrow; but, three times out of four, this is done to the positive injury of the 

 place, as it undoubtedly is usually to the pecuniary loss of the proprietor, and this to an 

 amount frequently far greater than the whole of his other out door expenditure. Time 

 out of time have we seen more money expended in moving earth upon a place, than would 

 have served to cover the cost of altering the grounds from a rough state, into first rate 

 order, if it had been laid out by a skilful landscape gardener, whose fee would but have 

 amounted to something like a merchant's commission upon the sum that would have been 

 saved. 



Instead of looking round, therefore, to see how the ground can be levelled, look at the 

 positions occupied by the principal eminences of it, and then see whether they obstruct 

 the view of any desirable object — or if by their proximity to the residence, or otherwise. 



