(BraMng an^ Sbapino OrounDs 185 



nearly a century ago. The feeling for nature is strongly 

 evident, and the whole tendency of the views expressed 

 is to confirm the fundamental ideas which I propose to 

 discuss for the grading and shaping the earth surface 

 for landscape gardening. 



The problem, here as elsewhere, is to humour and 

 conquer nature and yet, to all appearance, still keep 

 her character intact. Before the planting of trees and 

 shrubs and flowers, before, usually, even the final 

 disposition of the paths and roads, comes this modu- 

 lation of the surface of the earth, for it really amounts 

 to this, for not only existing natural conditions should be 

 harmonized and overcome without losing the charac- 

 teristic topography of the place, but due regard should 

 be given also to the general appearance of the scenery 

 immediately outside of the place, and even miles away, 

 and thus the keynote of the scenery of the region be 

 kept continually in mind^ 



To do this work in the proper spirit, and in a really 

 skilful manner, is perhaps the most difficult undertak- 

 ing that the landscape gardener will have to master. 

 There are niceties in the details of shaping the ground, 

 the execution of which will not be easy of accomplish- 

 ment. An active movement of the surface will have 

 to be maintained that is not expressed by either of the 

 words rolling or levelling, and yet both have their 

 value in describing the process. The higher portions 

 are made, or become, lower, overcome by the reaction 

 of the next swell. Nothing is regular. There should 

 be conflict and contrast, and for a moment or longer, 



