26 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of a good landscape, much also depends upon the character of the 

 scenery in view, for if the sea can be seen on the one side, and a 

 mountain on the other, the planting would require to be bolder 

 and more decided than if the only views to be obtained were a 

 meadow with its flocks and herds. 



These different circumstances would require to be borne in mind 

 by any one who undertakes such work as the laying out and 

 decorating a suburban residence in the style now practised in 

 Landscape Gardening. Much may be learned by the attentive 

 observer from studying the natural forests, whether on meadow or 

 mountain side, the natural groups being, in many cases, so ar- 

 ranged as to give the landscape a very pleasing effect, so that lit- 

 tle improvement could be made by the most skilful artist. 



The first thing that requires attention is to have the ground 

 properly drained, and subsoiled, and afterwards graded and en- 

 riched ; also to have the places marked off for groups of trees which 

 it is intended to plant. You will then be ready to sow the 

 grass seed, and must be sure to procure the best mixture to pro- 

 duce a good lawn. 



There are many opinions on this point, but after long experience 

 with various mixtures, the kinds I have found to give the best 

 satisfaction are as follows : eight quarts of red top, two quarts 

 of fine top, three quarts of Rhode Island betot and three 

 quarts of Kentuck}^ blue, adding half a pound of white clover. 

 These grasses when kept short will soon make a fine lawn, which 

 is one of the best components of a good landscape. Some soils 

 require more seed than others, but the proportion will be the same 

 whatever the quantity required. 



It is difficult to give a design for any supposed place, as almost 

 every one differs somewhat from its next neighbor ; but assuming 

 the ground to be nearly level, or slightly undulating, with a public 

 road in front, and rather sloping to the road than otherwise, placing 

 the house about two-thirds of the depth of the property towards 

 the back, will give a good opportunity to have the necessary build- 

 ings, such as the stables, carriage-house, ice-house, etc., behind 

 the mansion where they can be shut out from view, if desired, by 

 irregular groups of planting, which could lap over each other and 

 thus secure privacy. This arrangement would afford space for a 

 fine lawn in front, with small, irregular chimps of trees and 

 flowering shrubs near the road, making the lawn look as large as 

 possible and giving views of pleasant objects bej'ond. 



