1004.] ESSAY. 63 



Mild 1()V(> for the crcvilioii of one's own, to mako ov(M"y ini])i'ove- 

 nunit possible for the enihellishineiit of Iiis Jionie. 



From years of elos(> study and practical knowledge as to 

 the character of tnn's and ])lants, — the requisites of })lanting 

 or arranging them for a liarmoiiious effect, — we say there is 

 a common error in ornamental gardening, viz. : that of jjro- 

 miscuously mixing of herbaceous plants with shrubs and trees, 

 by which neither can thrive properly, and the effect of the 

 one is injured l\y tliat of the other. PVir however pleasing 

 and i)icturesque it may be in the natural w^oods, yet this kind 

 of beauty is totally unsuit(Ml in landscape art, for it destroys 

 unity and effect by crowding of varieties incongruously together. 



In every small garden, or more commodious grounds, always 

 have some leading feature — such as foliage trees, ornamental 

 shrubs or flowering plants ; also the creating of a flower garden 

 proper, a water fountain, or rockery for plants. But in the 

 constructing of all these permanent and beautiful ornaments, 

 let them harmonize with the surrounding grounds. Let no 

 liarsh lines be left to break the smoothness and harmony of 

 blending from the lawn to the flower beds or walks, — ever 

 remembering the softness of nature's own laws, which always 

 resolve into one another without any offending feature. In 

 the preparation of the grounds let the soil be trenched deeply, 

 by plowing or spading, keej)ing the surface soil always on top 

 and thoroughly enriching it before planting. 



LAWNS. 



In all our rural w\alks the charm of every place is a beautiful 

 lawn, and we w^ill give practical direction for making, sowing 

 and keeping them in their vernal beauty during the growing 

 season. Let the ground be thoroughly prepared in April or 

 August, — fully 18 inches deep of a good, rich, loamy soil, 

 making the whole surface of uniform depth, and same quality; 

 whether on a rising knoll, or a low level grade, enrich the soil 

 with a mixture of 20 bushels wood ashes, 10 bushels bone 

 meal, 2 bushels salt and 1 bushel of plaster per acre. Incor- 

 porate all these thoroughly with the soil; rake and pulverize 



