286 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



most beautiful accessories that are capable of being com- 

 bined with trees, as well as with buildings, gardens, and 

 fences. 



The reader must not imagine, from the remarks which 

 we have here made on the beauty and charms of climbing 

 plants, that we would desire to see every tree in an 

 extensive park wreathed about, and overhung with fantastic 

 vines and creepers. Such is by no means our intention. 

 We should consider such a proceeding something in the 

 worst possible taste. There are some trees whose rugged 

 and tograceful forms would refuse all such accompani- 

 ment ; and others from whose dignity and majesty it would 

 be improper to^detract even by adding the gracefulness of the 

 loveliest vine. 



Although we are not now writing of buildings, it is not 

 inappropriate here to remark how much may be done in 

 the country, and indeed even in town, by using vines and 

 creepers to decorate buildings. The cottage in this country 

 too rarely conveys the idea of comfort and happiness which 

 we wish to attach to such a habitation, and chiefly because 

 so often it stands bleak, solitary, and exposed to every ray 

 of our summer sun, with a scanty robe of foliage to shelter 

 it. How difierent such edifices, however humble, become 

 when the porch is overhung with climbing plants. 



Almost every man feels prouder of his home when it is 

 a pleasant spot for the eye to rest upon, than when it is 

 situated in a desert, or overgrown with weeds. Besides 

 this, tasteful embellishment has a tendency to refine the 

 feelings of every member of the family ; and every leisure 

 hour spent in rendering more lovely and agreeable even 

 the humblest cottage, is infinitely better employed than in 

 lounging about in idle and useless dissipation. 



