52 FURTHER REMARKS ON LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



mcmly to be found on lawns. Beds, the outlines of which form 

 acute angles, are bad in themselves, because they never can be com- 

 pletely covered with flowers or shrubs at [the angles, and because if 

 the eye of the spectator who observes them is not on a much higher 

 level, the shape of the bed, of which the angle forms so conspicuous 

 a feature when near, is not recognized. For all ordinary purposes, 

 therefore, I consider acute-angled beds as ineligible; though, for 

 symmetrical designs, in situations where the design is commanded 

 by an elevated walk, or surrounding terrace, they may, with pro- 

 priety, be introduced ; because, in such situations, their forms and 

 combinations display them to almost all the advantage of which they 

 are susceptible. It is lamentable to see the pleasure-grounds of some 

 of the finest old places in England spoiled by the introduction of 

 these angular beds, in the most romantic or otherwise strongly 

 marked scenes, that no man of taste would dare to touch ; the beds 

 perhaps planted with dahlias, hollyhocks, or China roses. 



I wish I could strongly impress on the mind of every amateur, and 

 of every gardener, that, for all general purposes of planting beds of 

 shrubs, or beds of flowers on a lawn, to be laid out in the modern 

 style, the best form is the circle, provided that it be always kept of 

 small size, say from two to six feet in diameter, one circle never 

 placed nearer to another than two feet, and that these beds be thrown 

 together in groups or constellations, as stars are in the firmanent, or 

 single trees and single shrubs in a well planted park. 



I do not say that there are not cases where large angular masses, 

 or long variously outlined shapes, may not be preferable to circles, 

 or ought not to be introduced along with them. On the contrary, 

 though in a park, I would effect the great part of the planting by 

 single trees, and small groups, as I would on a lawn by circular beds 

 of different sizes, yet there may be cases in both where a particular 

 practice requires to take the place of a general one. The principles, 

 indeed which guide the disposition of the kind of circular beds that 

 I recommend, are exactly the same as those which guide the dis- 

 position and grouping of single trees. Wherever large masses of 

 shrubs or flowers are wanted, there a greater number of circles of 

 different sizes are to be brought together ; and wherever any par- 

 ticular general form is to be produced, the body of that form 

 may consist of beds in the form of circles, the general outline of 



