THE HOME FLOP, 1ST; 



NOTES ON LANDSCAPE GARDENING ADAPTED 

 TO COMMON PRACTICE. 



As being somewhat distinct from laying out ornamental grounds, parks, etc., of large extent, 

 the present article is devoted to that more limited branch of rural adornment, in which the 

 majority of people outside of crowded districts in large cities are interested, namely : the 

 beautifying and improving of grounds of moderate extent, which lay adjacent to dwellings the 

 planning of which usually devolves upon the owner or occupants of the place. That a marked 

 degree of incongruity and dullness is observable in the surroundings of the majority of Ameri- 

 can homes, cannot be denied, but this arises far oftener from lack of sound and useful informa- 

 tion, ignorance of correct principles, and through not fully realizing the importance of thoroughly 

 executing work of this nature, than from want of appreciation of what is tasteful and elegant in 

 ornamental gardening, in the minds of the people. 



What is Desirable in a Place. To be most delightful, a place of residence should 

 be surrounded with ground of sufficient area to devote to ornamental purposes of lawn, flower 

 beds, walks and drives, and for admitting the planting of shrubbery, trees, etc., in groups 

 or singly. The area need not be very extensive to allow of this, and be rendered very 

 attractive and pleasant, provided the various parts are arranged in good taste, and all operations 

 which contribute to their improvement and after care are thoroughly performed. In all cases 

 of improving grounds the house should be considered as the chief feature with which we have 

 to deal, and the chief point of vision in a place. When the house is already standing, and the 

 grounds have been improved in a measure, perhaps, it may be desirable to introduce some new 

 improvements or to remove or alter any features which it is shown are objectionable ; while 

 with homes still in contemplation, we have the advantage of being able to arrange the various 

 features at will, giving to each ample study and forethought, and finally deciding upon such a 

 plan as combines the greatest number of excellencies. 



Largeness of extent is desirable in ornamental grounds, but the fact that everything 

 connected with constructing and maintaining them requires considerable labor and expense, 

 should never be lost sight of. In every instance it would be better to decide upon a retraction 

 of area, than to attempt work on a large scale with too small an outlay. Surroundings consist- 

 ing of a fourth of an acre of land, improved in the most perfect manner, will be infinitely more 

 satisfactory and enjoyable to the owner than a half or whole acre, with the same amount of 

 labor and expense bestowed upon their improvement. There is such a thing, too, as augmenting 

 the appearance of extent, in a place, be it large or small, and it would be well for all to study 

 the subject who are interested in this matter. A garden no matter what its size may be will 

 always look meagre in breadth without a good open lawn, and one broad glade of grass at least 

 should, therefore, stretch from the best windows of the house to within a short distance of the 

 boundary, at the farthest point, if the place .be small, with as little interruption from walks, 

 trees or other objects as possible. Harmony of parts and simplicity of arrangement also main- 

 tain the idea of size, for where everything is linked together to form a united whole, there will 

 be none of that division of interest which tends to make a place appear still smaller. A place 

 that is laid out in a formal manner in the geometrical style where all walks, flower beds and 

 plantings are arranged with a degree of regularity, in which the various lines and parts bear a 

 geometric relation to each other, will, unless very extensive, always look smaller than it really 

 is, and very much less than one treated in a more irregular and natural way. Where the space 

 will at all justify it, the walks, shrubs, flower beds, etc., should be so disposed of as to afford as 

 many different views as possible. Walks, in which graceful and easy curves are introduced, are 

 more pleasing than if made entirely straight, especially in small places, as straight walks or any 

 straight lines require length to show them to advantage. 



Trees and shrubs should be located mostly in groups at various points about the grounds 

 making the plantings heavier next the boundary fences in preference to the style of planting 

 in straight lines, parallel with the walks. The projections, made by curves in the walks and the 

 points formed by angles, are suitable for accommodating groups, and these may extend back from 

 the walk somewhat, but the inner points should be limited to such a distance as will keep the center 

 of the grass plat open. It will be alloAvable, however, even in a small place, to plant here and 

 there a small irregular group, or a single tree or shrub, which is notable for its fine form and 

 appearance, while in large plans, with extended areas in lawn, large groups may be set with 

 a view to breaking the distance and opening new scenes or parts in the grounds. 



Flower beds are most effective if located in outward bends, formed by walks, or in chaste, 

 well-balanced designs across the walk and opposite a bay or other window of the dwelling, or 

 arranged, either as borders or else as numerous small beds, of round or other forms, on each side 

 of walks, or at distant points across the lawn, to be viewed from the dwelling or street, and in 

 other similar places. Sometimes an excellent effect is created by making them in the line of 

 the walk, with the walk passing on each side, as shown in Fig. 14. 



Where there is an opportunity of connecting a lawn with a closely fed meadow or pasture 

 lot, which is almost on the same level, separating the two by means of a wire fence or a sunk 



