MO OF RURAL GARDENING. SF.CT. XI. 



It weredefirable to be able to perfuade to great things 

 in this way ; but prudence mull guide. 



Thofc who would do much in rural and extenjive 

 gardening, fhould not be forward to trull their own 

 tafte altogether, though they may be ingenious. In 

 this bufinefs there is no making experiments, but all 

 fhould be executed, as much as poflible, upon certain- 

 ty. There are profejjional men in this way, whole pe- 

 culiar practice, and appropriate talents, will enable them 

 to conceive improvements, and the bell manner ol ex- 

 ecuting them, which would fcarcaly be projected by 

 any private perfon. There is a variety of works and 

 decorations in extenfive gardening which injudicioufly 

 introduced, might create a waileful expencc. This is 

 an error that ought to be avoided, and moil probably 

 would be, by thofe who have been in the habit of 

 ftudying nature, and the powers of art, as her fubmil- 

 five handmaid. 



Artificial decorations are at this time much lefs made 

 ufe of than formerly, and the grandeur of pail times in 

 the way of gardening would now be thought trifling 

 and mean. Witncfs (heard trees, ilatues, vafes, water 

 works, figured parterres, &c. in that flyleof gardening, 

 imitated fiom the Dutch, which has been long deemed a 

 mere burlefque upon Nature, the grand characlcriilics 

 of which are eajc and Jiviplickjt, 



The pleafure we leek in laying out gardens, is now 

 juflly founded upon the principles of concealed art, 

 which appears like Nature; but Hill, whether ingenious 

 contrivances and decorations, (altogether artificial,) 

 mould be fo entirely laid ahde as they are, may deferve 

 to be conhdered. Gardens were formerly loaded with. 

 Jlatues, and great improprieties were committed in 

 placing them, as Neptune , in a grove, and Vulcan 

 at a fountain, large hgures in i'mall gardens, ami 

 imall in large, &c. but perhaps works of the fta- 

 tuary might iti.U be introduced, and the meeting wish 

 Flora, Ceres, or Pmuta, &c, well executed, tout 



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