c 264- SckeWs Landscape-Gardening. 



formation takes place; also that the vital activity is hastened, 

 so that they may be capable of a quicker absorption of the 

 nourishing matter, as by this means the root formation will go on 

 more quickly ; and, finally, the most suitable soil should be 

 chosen, and the cut made with the greatest care, as all these 

 particulars greatly contribute to the success of the cutting. 



{To be continued.) 



Art. VIII. The Landscape-Gardening of F.L. von Sckell of Munich. 

 Translated from the German for the "Gardener's Magazine." 



(Continued from p. 210.) 



XIV. On excavating Lakes. 



1. These liquid mirrors, which appear so extremely beautiful 

 in the landscape, cannot be otherwise than acceptable in 

 pleasure-grounds. Besides their intrinsic value in the landscape, 

 they communicate life and animation to nature. The sun, the 

 moon, the lowering sky covered with dark clouds, the trees and 

 shrubs overhanging their banks, with the company walking on 

 their shores, are depicted every day in a new form in their 

 waves; they impart novelty to the picture, and are of infinite 

 value as objects of imitation by art. 



In fine summer days pleasure-boats, full of gay company, float 

 on their smooth surface, delightful harmony resounds from the 

 islands, where the sylvan choristers unite their voices ; and the 

 moon is reflected in this picture of repose with solemn splen- 

 dour. 



In the season when nature is stripped of her charms, when she 

 appears in an entirely different, naked, and forlorn condition, 

 and is but little visited, lakes, which are then covered with a 

 smooth surface of ice, invite us to gymnastic exercises. Active 

 young people glide happy and cheerful on skates and sledges 

 over the crystal surface, and recall mirth and life where both 

 had for a time been suspended. 



2. When lakes of this sort are to be made in gardens, hollow 

 rather than elevated spots should be selected, and also not too 

 near the dwelling-house, on account of the clamp ; neither should 

 they be dug too deep, as has been already mentioned, that they 

 may not present the slightest danger, nor occasion fear, which, 

 in pleasure-grounds where children are permitted to stroll, and 

 where in summer exercise is taken in boats, and in winter on 

 skates on the ice, should be carefully avoided. 



The bed of the lake should, therefore, be hollowed out of a 

 concave form, that is, it must slope gradually from the sides, 

 becoming deeper towards the middle, and never sinking ab- 

 ruptly, so that, if any one should fall in, he might easily wade 

 out again. Excavating a lake is generally performed by piece- 



