108 Landscape (iardcning 



remembered thai this is only the chaotic state, from which 

 the new creation is lo emerge more perfectly formed and 

 completed; and also that the appearance of these rocks 

 and slumps, when covered with mosses, and partially over- 

 grown with a profusion of luxuriant vegetation and climb- 

 ing plants, will be as beautifully picturesque after a little 

 time has elapsed, as it is now uncouth and uninviting. 



Islands generally contribute greatly to the beauty of a 

 piece of water. They serve, still further, to increase the 

 variety of outline, and to break up the wide expanse of 

 liquid into secondary portions, without injuring the effect 

 of the whole. The striking contrast, too, between their 

 verdure, the color of their margins, composed of variously 

 tinted soils and stones, and the still, smooth water around 

 them, - - softened and blended as this contrast is, by their 

 shadows reflected back from the limpid element, gives 

 additional richness to the picture. 



The distribution of islands in a lake or pond requires 

 some judgment. They will always appear most natural 

 when sufficiently near the shore, on either side, to maintain 

 in appearance some connection with it. Although islands 

 do sometimes occur near the middle of natural lakes, yet 

 the effect is by no means good, as it not only breaks and 

 distracts the effects of the whole expanse by dividing it into 

 two distinct parts, but it always indicates a shallowness or 

 want of depth where the water should be deepest. 



There are two situations where it is universally admitted 

 that islands may be happily introduced. These are, at the 

 inlet and the exit of the body of water. In many cases 

 where the stream which supplies the lake is not remark- 

 able for size, and will add nothing to the appearance of the 

 whole view from the usual points of sight, it may be con- 

 cealed by an island or small group of islands, placed at 

 some little distance in front of it. The head or dam of a 

 lake, too, is often necessarily so formal and abrupt, that it 

 is difficult to make it appear natural and in good keeping 

 with the rest of the margin. The introduction of an island 

 or two, placed near the main shore, on cither side, and 



