26 INTRODUCTION. 



parterre where Flora has diffused her flowery 

 beauties ; as the contrast, particularly if sud- 

 den, adds greatly to the cheerfulness of the 

 terminating view. 



Bad taste is seldom more conspicuous than 

 when we see trees or plants marshalled in 

 regular order and at equal distances, like 

 beaux and belles standing up for a quadrille 

 or country dance. Where the situation will 

 permit, four or six lilacs should be grouped 

 in one place, and as many laburnums in 

 another, so as to give effect in various parts 

 by a mass of colour. 



The guelder rose should appear as if escap- 

 ing from the dark bosom of evergreens, and 

 not a plant should be set in the ground with- 

 out adding to the harmony of the whole. 

 A shrubbery should be planted, as a court or 

 stage dress is ornamented, for general effect, 

 and not for particular and partial inspection. 

 Boldness of design, which seems to be more 

 the offspring of nature and chance than of 

 art and study, should be attempted; but 

 though boldness is what the planter should 

 aspire to, all harshness, or too great abrupt- 

 ness, must be avoided, by a judicious mixture 

 of plants whose colours will blend easily 

 into one another. 



The most beautiful shrubs should occupy 



