286 A HISTORY OF GARDENING IN ENGLAND. 



The absurdity of trying to make small villa gardens in the 

 landscape style, with miniature lawns, " clumps and strips of 

 trees," was pointed out by Loudon.* He recommended instead, 

 designs in a more formal style, and gives plans of villa 

 grounds of six acres laid out in "the geometric style," and 

 others combining that with the newer fashions. Regent's Park 

 was made in the early years of this century, and Loudon 

 speaks of it to illustrate his theories. " The magnificent 

 design of the late Mr. Fordyce, Surveyor-General, now executing 

 (1812) in Marylebone Farm, will in a few years afford a noble 

 example of the unison of the ancient and modern styles of 

 planting." 



The flower-garden began once more to hold a more 

 conspicuous position, and to be considered as separate from 

 the shrubbery, or less formal part, while that again was kept 

 more distinct from the park beyond. The planting of the 

 grounds outside the flower-garden was also much improved : 

 the stiff clumps and belts broken into, and trees arranged more 

 ornamentally. Sir Henry Steuart, of Allanton, whose work, 

 The Planter's Guide, occasioned the review by Sir Walter Scott 

 in the Quarterly, already referred to, was a good authority on 

 the subject of planting, and by his own plantations, as well 

 as in his works, gave useful hints as to the management of 

 trees, and the choice of suitable ones for different situations. 



Thus the garden and its surroundings were again being 

 treated with more skill and taste. Although other styles are 

 now practised as well, the landscape, in its reformed character, 

 still finds admirers, and skilful designers, t Architects have 

 made garden design more of a study, and artists and gardeners 

 also have, in many instances, shown that, with careful handling, 

 the landscape style can be reconciled to the house, and most 

 pleasing effects of scenery produced, well suited to this country 

 and its clima^^ 



* Hints on we Formation of Gardens and Pleasure Grounds. By J. C. 

 Loudon, 1812. 



j" The Art and Practice of Landscape Gardening. By Henry Ernest 

 Milner, 1890. 



