6 



that which would seem least liable to be overlooked, 

 is its tendency to grow. Yet trees are constantly so 

 placed that they must in time interfere with each 

 other and with other objects, so that eventually, just as 

 we become attached to them, we are forced to muti- 

 late or destroy them. Lastly, it is a general rule 

 that almost everything done in haste is badly done. 

 The operations of landscape gardening are sometimes 

 spoken of as expensive, yet men do not hesitate to 

 prosecute them with such precipitation, that they 

 are fortunate if they have to do the work no more 

 than twice. 



Thus far we have spoken only of what to avoid ; 

 let us now look at the positive side of the subject, and 

 consider what to pursue ; and, first of all, how to 

 begin. We must, at the outset, make ourselves well 

 acquainted with our land. Look first at the direction 

 of its inclinations. Southern slopes are among the 

 prime resources of an estate; and, in our country, 

 the West is, for several reasons, rather preferable to 

 the East. Next consider the views. These are to 

 be estimated not only for their intrinsic beauty, but 

 with reference to direction, to accessibility, to per- 

 manence, etc., etc. Small peaked hills, whence one 

 gets an extended prospect, are common enough, and 

 of comparatively little value; while a sheltered 

 South-western slope, commanding a valley or water 

 view, the objects of interest lying mainly on our 

 own ground, so that the prospect cannot be cut off 

 and may be indefinitely improved, — this is invalu- 



