Mater 157 



if for no other, that shearing of shrubs seems an unkind 

 proceeding. 



In the same way, we should seek to touch and beau- 

 tify the very edge and margins of our water spaces on 

 nature's Hnes, with all the devices of horticulture. 

 Such refinements of landscape gardening are after all 

 the supreme result to be sought, for it is these seemingly 

 minor things, these small touches, that make for per- 

 fection. Again the warning should be reiterated that 

 all sense of effort, all fussiness, should be avoided, and 

 simple and relatively large effects alone sought. Above 

 all, any attempt to exhibit variety of plant forms as 

 horticultural curiosities is specially objectionable. 



Water used in the form of fountains should find no 

 place on an estate or park except in the midst of some 

 architectural development, among trees if possible, 

 in a portico, a court, a plaza or esplanade, or in some 

 stately garden in connexion with buildings. Water- 

 falls, cascades, rapids, that dash and resound and trickle 

 and murmur, and swing and sweep, and in so many 

 ways delight the eye and ear, are desirable above most 

 landscape-gardening effects ; but the attempt to produce 

 such effects had better be limited to places where water 

 features already exist, and dash and trickle of their 

 own volition. A rock can be added here, and a plant 

 there, or a shrub and tree, and greatly increase the 

 attractions. Water, plants, rocks, and soil can im- 

 doubtedly be gathered together in distinctly natural 

 forms that will not insult the surrounding scenery by 

 their incongruities, but it will be a difficult undertaking 



