32 



of low shrubbery, if abundantly introduced near the base of a building, 

 will foreshorten the elevation, obstruct the view of the horizontal base 

 line, and seemingly destroy architectural proportions. Many of the 

 finest structures, both public and private, are ruinously shorn of their 

 beauty by careless or ignorant planters, who, in their endeavors to beau- 

 tify a building, succeed only in concealing those salient lines and pro- 

 jections that give it character and distinctiveness. 



A proper connection of the house with its surroundings is the first 

 point to which attention should be given in laying out grounds, as it is 

 the most prominent and leading detail of improvements. A house 

 should not appear to have risen out of the green lawn like a tree. It 

 is necessary that some evidence should be apparent of suitable prepa- 

 ration having been made for the building ; at least a level platform of 

 more or less width should project from the base line. The ground line 

 should be level, and all walks should correspond with the lines of the 

 ground plan. Zigzag and curving walks close to the straight lines of 

 a large or even the most humble building are directly opposed to 

 beauty or propriety ; they are sure evidence of unskilled labor. 



The principal front of a building should show a terrace, either archi- 

 tecturally treated or at least with the architectural appendages. The 

 level line of the terrace will furnish a uniform base to the building, and 

 masses of low-growing plants may be introduced below the terrace where 

 they will not interfere with the view of the structure. A few trees may 

 be planted at the ends or in the rear, which will serve to connect the 

 house with the grounds and their scenery, and this can be done with- 

 out either hiding or overshadowing the building. 



It has long been laid down as a general principle that round-headed 

 trees contrast best with the prevailing perpendicular lines of Gothic 

 architecture, and those of the pointed or conic shape with the hori- 

 zontal of the Grecian. It may be questioned whether either of these 

 rules is sufficiently accurate to be worthy of consideration ; certain it is 

 that there may be found compositions of expressive beauty where the 

 arrangements are the reverse of those proposed in this general princi- 

 ple. It is perhaps nearer the facts to state that in the arrangement of 

 forms harmony will prove more pleasing than contract; but when ap- 

 plied to colors contrast will develop the most distinct and expressive 

 compositions. 



GROUPING TREES AND SHRUBS AND PLANTING IN MASSES. 



Among the various operative details in landscape gardening the 

 arrangement of vegetation is the most important, and there is no other 

 that shows so distinctly the artistic skill and arboriculiural knowledge 

 of the operator. While this is the most decisive as to the ultimate 

 beauty and value of the improvements, it is acknowledged to be the 

 least understood ; for artists of considerable repute, who may establish 

 grades, run lines of roads, and stake out places for groups and single 



