ORNAMENTAL PLANTING FOR PARKS, ETC. 129 



scheme for the whole plan of decorative work. In this way only 

 can a complete and satisfactory result be secured. The flower 

 garden treated in any other way is simply an aggregation of 

 detached effects that have no reference to a complete design. 



It would be impossible for me in this paper to specify in detail 

 just what trees, shrubs, or plants are to be used, and what gen- 

 eral plan of arrangement should be followed, to arrive at satisfac- 

 tory results in every case. The whole matter is a question of 

 taste, experience, and the faculty of adapting the design to the 

 especial locality to be treated. One might as well attempt to 

 make a general plan for a park and apply it to every park to be 

 improved. 



In the latter case the landscape architect or gardener secures 

 primarily a detailed topographical survey showing the inequali- 

 ties of the surface and all objects covering it. He makes a care- 

 ful study of the surroundings, and the general topographical 

 features to be included in tlie territory to be improved. The gen- 

 eral scheme of his work will be largely dictated by the existing 

 conditions and the environment. 



The same careful study should be made by the gardener for 

 any plan of ornamental planting, either of trees and shrubs or of 

 purely sub-tropical and floral decoration. 



To have on hand a certain number of decorative plants and to 

 place them properly and expeditiously, with due regard to their 

 immediate environment, requires more- than the usual ability of 

 the average gardener. 



It is to be hoped that the " Theory and Practice of Landscape 

 Gardening," now the subject of special study at the St. Louis 

 Botanical Gardens and the Bussey Institution, Avill produce a 

 class of gardeners well fitted to harmonize the general scheme of. 

 park ornamentation ; to emphasize, in the larger parks of sylvan 

 character, the natural beauties of the localities to be treated, by a 

 judicioiis admixture of the ornamental features of planting; con- 

 fining the floral work, if any, to tlie immediate vicinity of the 

 refectories, terraces, fountains, conservatories, and other archi- 

 tectural embellishments, and reserving the main features of the 

 park for woods, lawns, water effects, and natural scenery. 



In the smaller city parks or places such a gardener would con- 

 struct as direct and broad lines of transit as would be consistent 

 with easy and graceful lines ; he would secure ample laAvns and 



