THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PICTURE 125 



second sketch (Fig. 120) presents a definite area 

 at once to the observer, and the individual plants 

 are of minor importance. Here is a landscape 

 a picture ; there is a nursery. 



"A vista is a narrow opening or view between 

 plantations to a distant landscape. It cuts up the 

 broad horizon into portions which are readily cog- 

 nizable. It frames portions of the country-side. 

 The verdurous sides of the planting are the sides 

 of the frame ; the foreground is the bottom, and 

 the sky is the top." 



If the reader catches the full meaning of these 

 contrasts, he has acquired the first and most im- 

 portant conception in landscape gardening. The 

 conception will grow upon him day by day ; and 

 if he is of an observing turn of mind, he will find 

 that this simple lesson will revolutionize his habit 

 of thought respecting the planting of grounds and 

 the beauty of landscapes. He will see that a bush 

 or flower-bed which is no part of any general 

 purpose or design that is, which does not con- 

 tribute to the making of a picture might better 

 never have been planted. For myself, I had 

 rather have a bare and open pasture than such a 

 yard as that shown in Fig. 119, even though it 

 contained the choicest plants of every land. The 

 pasture would at least be plain and restful and 

 unpretentious. It would be nature -like and 

 sweet. But the yard would be full of effort 

 and fidget. 



