ON LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



7 



to appear larger than it really is, and boundaries may be so 

 dissimulated that the garden may appear to embrace the whole 

 of the surrounding landscape. The boundary walls and fences 

 may be clothed with ivy ; hedges may be kept low ; or again, 

 they may be set in a ditch so as to be completely hidden when 

 viewed from a certain distance. 



The gardener should bear in mind that trees serve to frame 

 the view, and give, by the variation of their forms and colours, 

 light and shade to the picture. By these helps the lines of 

 sight may be broken, thus giving life to a landscape, and pre- 

 venting even the most beautiful views from becoming monotonous. 

 In some cases a view hidden by trees may be brought intot, sight, 

 while at the same time the most charming effects can be created, 

 by making openings amidst the trees by cutting down branches, 

 or, when necessary, by altogether removing the trees which inter- 

 cept the view. If recourse be had to the latter expedient, the 

 gardener must make sure before sacrificing a tree that the general 

 aspect will benefit thereby, as any mistake in that direction cannot 

 afterwards be easily rectified ; he should well consider, too, the 

 number of years a tree takes to attain its full development. 



The choice of a site for the house in respect to the points 

 of the compass is of the greatest importance. It must come 

 before every other consideration; it must even take precedence 

 of the view, as the comfort of the dwelling, which must never 

 be undervalued, depends largely on its aspect. It is not easy 

 to state the best position to meet every case ; but, all things 

 considered, perhaps a south-easterly one presents the most 

 advantages. A house facing the south on that side gets too 

 much sun in the summer, while the side facing north gets none 

 in the winter. With a south-easterly position, however, every side 

 gets the benefit of the sun. Fig. i. gives a plan of a country 

 residence, embodying the usual accessories. 



The gardener has also to consider the approaches in their 

 relation to public roads leading to say the railway-station, the 

 post-office, or the church. They must appear to lead as directly 

 as possible to the intended points. 



One of the most charming features of a landscape is the 

 water. A river imparts life and action in proportion to the 

 rapidity of its stream ; while a lake suggests repose. 



Preliminary Operations. — When the formation of a garden 

 has been decided upon, the first operation will be a careful 

 study of the ground, with the plan of the site at hand. If 



