In the formation of a garden or park there are certain 

 rules which must guide the landscape-gardener. These vary 

 according to the situation, size, and purpose of the garden whose 

 creation they are intended to control. In any case, however, good 

 taste must prevail. A garden cannot be laid out according to 

 a set pattern : it must be as natural as possible, and the different 

 parts must harmonise in every detail with the surrounding neigh- 

 bourhood. Advantage may be taken of the existing landscape, 

 and its aspect may be improved ; but the general character of a 

 situation must not be changed. All creations must remain tiue 

 to natural laws. In a flat country one must not endeavour, for 

 instance, to give to a garden a mountainous aspect by creating 

 a rushing stream, dashing in cascades over rocks : it would be 

 offensive to both the sight and the imagination. The landscape- 

 gardener must study the general aspect of the situation, the 

 nature of the soil, the altitude, the climate, and the local 

 vegetation. He must think what will be the aspect of his 

 creation thirtv or fortv vears hence, Avhen the trees will be in 

 the fulness of their development, in order to be able to judge 

 of the correctness of his conceptions. Full attention must be 

 devoted to the views which one can command over the neigh- 

 bourhood, or in the garden or park itself Everything which he 



