XI 



GRADING AND SHAPING GROUNDS 



ON meadows as a rule, here and there, the 

 Httle ups and downs must be levelled, for 

 practical purposes as well as appearance: 

 but larger undulations of the terrain must by no 

 means be unnecessarily disturbed. But if never- 

 theless it is desirable for other reasons to re- 

 move and level any considerable height, and any 

 fine trees happen to be standing there which should 

 not be removed, then I advise leaving them 

 standing on single small hillocks, which gives the 

 meadow still more variety, for which reason I have 

 often deliberately planted in this way and with 

 good results. 



"Although in general a certain undulation of the 

 terrain is advisable at times, an excellent effect is 

 brought about by making the bottoms of little 

 valleys, having steep surroundings, quite level. We 

 often find such formations in nature which charm us 

 by the contrast." ' 



It is remarkable to find these wise reflections recorded 



' Prince Piickler, Hints on Landscape Gardening. 



184 



