58 STATE POMOLOQICAL SOCIETY. 



creates in scenery a thousand points of interest, and elicits new 

 beauties through different arrangements and combinations of forms 

 and colors, lights and shades." 



" Simplicity is an essential element in the laying out and embel- 

 lishment of the small suburban estate. It is net inconsistent with 

 the other principles of which we have spoken, nor is it incompati- 

 ble with true elegance and refinement. 



Convenience never should be sacrificed to ostentation and ex- 

 travagance, as is too often the case. Perhaps this mistake is more 

 frequently made in the disposition of walks and roads than in any 

 other way. Mr. Mitchell tells us in very pleasing words what 

 guides we should follow in this matter. 



*"A walk," he says, "is first of all a convenience; whether 

 leading from door to highway, or to the stable court, or througli 

 gardens, or to the wood, it is essentially, and most of all a con- 

 venience ; and to despoil it of this quality by interposing circles 

 or curves, which have no meaning or sufficieut cause, is mere 

 affectation. Not to say, however, that all paths should be straight ; 

 the farmer, whose home is afra considerable remove from the high- 

 way, and who drives his team tliither, avoiding rock and tree and 

 hillock, will give to his line of approach a grace that it would be 

 hard to excel by counterfeit." * * * 



The gardens, both flower and vegetable, should be of easy 

 access, the stables and out- houses should be in suiBcient proxim- 

 ity, and nothing which can contribute to comfort and convenience 

 should be overlooked. 



For the full enjoyment of even the smallest suburban estate 

 there must be a degree of seclusion. Not to be able to work in 

 one's garden, to meditate or walk therein, without being subjected 

 to the gaze of neighbors or the passers-by, is a condition which is 

 not agreeable to the refined mind. This seclusion need not be 

 such as to entirely deprive one of vistas into the distant or adja- 

 cent country, which are important addenda to every place, and for 

 which every provision should be made, but it should be sufficient 

 to afford that sense of quietude and freedom from interruption so 

 dear to every man, especially a professional one, after the cares 

 and labors of the day. 



This seclusion is to be obtained by a judicious disposition of 

 plantations and hedges, and not by high walls and fences, u)iles8 

 in exceptional cases. 



* My Farm of Edgewood. 



