330 ORNAMENTAL GARDENING. BOOK I. 



CHAPTER II. - 



OF THE PRINCIPLES OF SELECTION AND ARRANGEMENT 

 IN ORNAMENTAL GARDENING. 



The object of ornamental gardening is to exhibit beauties, 

 either singly or collectively . The first and most obvious purpose 

 of selecting sinle objects is to shew minute beauties, such as 

 flowers, or fruits. This is done by placing the plants or shrubs 

 which produce them in the most conspicuous situations, either 

 on lawn, pulverized earth, or in pots. The next thing which 

 would naturally strike gardeners in selecting beauties from 

 wild nature would be, to collect a number of them together; 

 this would be first done in rows, and afterwards in beds or 

 masses of various forms and dimensions. Originally, symmetry 

 and regularity would be studied, as first perceived beauties; 

 but in time, as parterres or flower gardens of this sort became 

 more general, fancy would be exercised to produce novelty and 

 variety, and excite wonder and curiosity. Hence the origin of 

 fashion or style in this kind of gardening, both with regard to 

 different countries, and the same country at different periods. 

 To pursue the subject farther, however, in an historical way, 

 would not afford much instruction with regard to principles; 



