370 



LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



Loudon objects to it in the case of an elegant sculp- 

 tured vase, " because it is reducing a work of art to the 

 level of a mere garden flower-pot, and dividing the 

 attention between the beauty of the form of the vase 

 and of its sculptured ornaments, and that of the plant 

 which it contains." This criticism is a just one in its 

 general application, especially when vases 

 are considered as architectural decorations. 

 Occasional deviations, however, may be per- 

 mitted, for the sake of producing variety, 

 especially in the case of vases used as deco- 

 rations in the flower-garden. 



A very pretty and fanciful substitute for 

 the sculptured vase, and which may take its 

 place in the picturesque landscape, may be 

 found in vases or baskets of rustic work, con- [Fig. 67.] 

 ^tructed of the branches and sections of trees with the 

 bark attached. Figure 68 is a re- 

 presentation of a pleasing rustic vase 

 which we have constructed without 

 difficulty. A tripod of branches of trees 

 forms the pedestal. An octagonal box 

 serves as the body or frame of the vase ; 

 on this, pieces of birch and hazel (small 

 [Fig. es.] split limbs covered with the bark) are 



nailed closely, so as to form a sort of mosaic covering to the 

 whole exterior. Ornaments of this kind, which may be 

 made by the amateur with the assistance of a common 

 carpenter, are very suitable for the decoration of the 

 grounds and flower-gardens of cottages or picturesque 

 villas. An endless variety of forms will occur to an 



