LANDSCAPE GARPENING. 



BY AUGUSTUS HEPP, LANDSCAPE GARDENER AND ARCHITECT. 



Much has been said and written about Landscape Gardening^ 

 and in this country the writings of A, J. Downing have done 

 something towards improving the taste for natural beauty, and 

 the embellishment of country residences; still it seems tome that 

 comparatively few have a just appreciation of the true principles 

 of the art. 



Generally it is thought that curvilinear roads and paths, scat- 

 tering trees and shrubs at random, without regard to their habits, 

 height, &c., avoiding straight lines, regular forms, &c., suffice to 

 accomplish all that has been recommended by celebrated writers 

 and experienced men. Nearly all attempts, based upon such a 

 supposition have resulted in disappointment, and at most have 

 not, perhaps, elicited a more gratifying expression than that they 

 were " very pretty," which, in my opinion, is very moderate praise, 

 considering the many natural advantages with which Providence 

 has blessed this country, containing so many charming spots, 

 which invite us to stay and rest at a moment when the physical 

 man feels most inclined for exercise, while before us is spread a 

 lovely panorama, with its flowering shrubs and lofty trees, Flora's 

 lovely children gathered in clusters on the border of groups near 

 the road, leaning and hanging over mossy rocks by the side of a 

 murmuring brook, the more attractive by their manifold dresses. 



Nature distributes picturesque scenery all over the globe, and 

 provides for every part, according to its climate, soil, and other local 

 circumstances, a different Flora, and never places a plant where 

 it cannot prosper, or is not appropriate to the character of the 



