614 



PRACTICE OF FORMING 



BOOK II. 



of the present state and proposed improvements; and not only 

 of the buildings (as is also done by some architects), but also 

 of the ground surface, the water, gardens, hothouses*, and 

 villages, both in their present and improved state. I quote 

 below f a concise account which was given of the models of 



* Five different kinds of models in wood, of the principal improvements which 

 I have introduced into hothouses, are sold at Mr. DalzieFs, cabinet-maker, Cha- 

 pel-street, Bedford-row, London ; and at Messrs. Dickson and Shade's seed-ware- 

 room, Edinburgh. They have proved of great service to gentlemen, by enabling 

 their workmen to construct these useful improvements with ease and certainty. 



f " We understand that Mr. Loudon, the author of c Observations on Planting," 

 &c. has just invented a very ingenious method of modelling estates, which will be 

 of immense advantage to landed proprietors, particularly those intending to im- 

 prove, decorate, or build. The variation of the surface is shewn exactly as it is in 

 reality; and all the trees, hedges, roads, rivers, buildings, &c. are accurately raised 

 on it, agreeable to a certain scale; and, afterwards, the whole is coloured from na- 

 ture. A manuscript volume of references, contains the names of the different farms 

 and fields, the contents of each, and the nature of its soil, &c. with every other re- 

 quisite information. Mr. L. has also a curious composition, which may be used 

 without any previous preparation, and by which any gentleman may try, upon the 

 model, the effect of any proposed alteration or improvement : and also a small wire 

 net, each mesh of which is equal to an acre, by which the contents of any part may 

 be instantly known, by applying it, and numbering the meshes which cover the 

 field or space to be measured. From the nature of the model, any changes which 

 may afterwards be made in the ground, can b^ inserted without injuring the piece j 

 and hence no estate will ever require to be remodelled. Remarkable objects upon 

 an estate, such as the Mansion-house, &c. can also, to give a clearer view of them, 

 be modelled separately, upon a larger scale than the general plan. 



At first sight, the unwieldiness and bulk of a model would seem an inconvenience; 

 but by dividing it into separate parts (which parts are kept in a small chest or box,, 

 and may be taken out and fitted together in a few seconds,) it occupies little more- 

 room than a plan. 



