578 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOClEf V. 



parterres were designed originally, but I do not think they were ever 

 constructed. The ground is at present level, and, as long as records 

 exist, has been nothing but a large lawn. 



In this case I was asked to plan a garden somewhat on English 

 lines, but appropriate to the position — a rather difficult matter, as 

 the style of the chateau is characteristically French. 



Designs of the type developed by Le N otre have influenced for many 

 years the formal gardens of England. Many places to this day contain 

 specimens of his parterres on a more or less large scale, but for their 

 full effect they require such immense areas of flat land that in many 

 situations they would be impracticable, even if one wished to have them . 

 They are dignified, and the avenues provide very fine effects, especially 

 in the autumn, but the gardens are tedious, and one welcomes by 

 contrast the composite construction of English gardens, in which there 

 is less formality and more intimate feeling. 



An interesting part of the work of a landscape gardener deals with 

 the reformation of grounds of mature age, and presents a crucial test 

 of his capacity. 



In such operations he has not only to select existing features which 

 are worth retention, need improvement, or deserve removal, as the case 

 may be, but he must take care that all new work is in harmony with the 

 best of the old. and particularly that his additions do not outbid the im- 

 portance of the buil* ling. When the alterations assume a formal character 

 there is a special tendency to fall into this error, with the result that the 

 centre of attraction is wrongly shifted from the house to the garden. 



Many places date from a period when horticultural details were 

 banished to enclosures at some distance from the house, and the 

 grounds were arranged chiefly to provide landscape effects and 

 necessary shelter. 



At the present day fully grown trees monopolize the sunlight, 

 impoverish the soil, and occupy all spaces not required for vistas. 

 On a bright day these conditions are attractive to the newcomer, 

 but people who live with them often desire more interesting sur- 

 roundings, and it is a difficult matter to provide them without spoiling 

 the prevailing breadth and peace of the place. 



In such circumstances the fact must be faced that the prevailing 

 note is given by the large trees, and that the repose they afford cannot 

 be enjoyed fully in an outlook which also presents the colour, vivacity, 

 detailed interest, and possibly the seclusions sought for in a modern 

 garden. 



When one wishes to keep most of the trees the best course is to 

 make new gardens, so to speak, en suite devoted to flowers in some 

 convenient position clear of the chief views. These gardens should 

 be connected by an important-looking path, with the terrace trom 

 which possibly one may arrange a glimpse of colour to indicate where 

 the flower-gardens are to be found. Flowers can also be planted against 

 backgrounds of shrubbery planting, and additional colour miy be 

 introduced by planting flowering trees. 



