THE LAWS OF DEVELOPING LANDSCAPE. 



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arrangements one must respect the natural laws of sight, and that innate 

 aim for the infinite that belongs to the objects of beauty. 



We have noted scenery with outlines and centres, but when we arrange 

 everything properly in rotation, every site that the feet can stand on 

 will change into new scenes of beauty. The mere arrangement of scenery 

 that looks well from one site of observation alone shows ignorance of the 

 grossest kind, for if every effect occupies simply the space necessary for 

 its own effect, space will always be left for the development of other views 

 of the requirements. Scenery consists of scenes within scenes, contain- 

 ing general views, particular views, and objects. 



When we plant the large growing objects, first allowing space for 

 them to develop into their full beauty, we still have space left to fill up 

 all the effects wanted by the subjects that grow at the various lower 

 elevations until we come to the wee carpeting plants that veil the feet of 

 the gigantic timber, and require only a few square yards of space to show 

 their characteristics. 



When we throw the littleness of mankind aside— the results of his 

 habits, his patchwork — we gain the power of admiration by learning with 

 humility and industry to see landscape with her beauties of perpetual 

 impressions free from all repetitions, ever showing her mysteries to the 

 highest and the lowest classes of human observing powers, in charming 

 repose. 



Plant life, small and large, shows its impressions by characters of 

 beauty ; therefore we treasure a plant for its rareness and love it for its 

 beauty, not as one being better than the other, for each is best in its own 

 character of beauty, its own place, and in its own proportions. In 

 planting one should plant just enough of each kind ; more or less than 

 enough will not do, and the repose that is so necessary to developed 

 scenery cannot be acquired except by proper proportions. It is most 

 requisite that our landscapes should manifest character in outline, massing 

 and foliage forming the base of the observation from the principal sites. 

 In tree and shrub arrangements outlines and masses are of the first 

 importance. In small plants the foliage takes first place. Much advan- 

 tage will be found in the growth of leafage, how it masses itself into 

 lights and shades as well as into its own particular forms, even in 

 arranging outlines and masses ; the study of leafage and its assemblage 

 will often lead onwards to the characteristics. 



The lines of vegetation vary greatly, imparting various impressions of 

 their features, according to the 1 period of the year and the stage of their 

 own existence. The features of a plant in general may be summed up 

 under the nine following heads : — Outlines, massing, young leafage, perfect 

 leafage, fall of leaf, flowers, fruit, stem and size. Students making out 

 catalogues of these observations would learn far more upon real landscape 

 arrangements than is generally attempted in the best of park lands. 



Touching. 



When the great work of arranging land is done, landscape requires 

 touching, particularly for the first few years after planting. Touching is 

 planting groups or single trees, shrubs, and smaller permanent plants, and 



