550 



JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



" The Art of Landscape Gardening." By Humphrey Repton. Edited 

 by J. Nolen. 8vo., 252 pp. (Constable, London.) 12s. 6d. net. 



This book has an introduction by Mr. John Nolen, Cambridge, Mass., 

 and in this introduction he makes the following statement : " It is to the 

 period of Repton and the work of Repton himself that we must look for 

 the sound and rational development of the so-called landscape school of 

 England, a school whose influence spread rapidly to the continent of 

 Europe, and whose principles still control the treatment of large areas in 

 the informal or naturalistic style." As we had scarcely heard of Repton, 

 we turned to Loudon, and that great authority speaks of Repton as 

 follows : " His published observations on these subjects are valuable, 

 though we think otherwise of his remarks on landscape gardening, which 

 we look upon as puerile, wanting depth, often at variance with each other, 

 and abounding too much in affectation and arrogance." We fully agree 

 with Loudon, for although there is much to be admired in his plans and 

 ideas of laying out a large or small garden, it is greatly discounted by 

 the stilted style, and we are often puzzled as to the exact meaning of his 

 description of places. Welbeck may be taken as a case in point (p. 18). 

 Under the chapter of " Buildings " he quotes Saracenic, Saxon, Norman, 

 Gothic, Grecian, and Roman models, but we fail to understand whether 

 he means that Welbeck belongs to one or all of these styles. Again, in 

 his landscape effects, Repton appears to be particularly fond of intro- 

 ducing cottages or other buildings on hill sides or near woods in full view 

 of the mansion, and we cannot quite see why, for, although they may 

 give life to the scene, they are by no means ornamental when the 

 weekly — sometimes daily — washing is hung out. In our opinion one of 

 the great charms of a country mansion is its privacy and peaceful 

 surroundings ; plenty cf life can always be obtained by deer, Scotch or 

 Hereford cattle, horses, &c, all of which are in harmony. 



" The Art and Craft of Garden-making." By Thomas H. Mawson, 

 Hon. A.R.I.B.A. Third edition. 4to. 310 pp. (Batsford, London.) 

 35s. net. 



We are not surprised that this beautiful work has run into its third 

 editirn. The printing and illustrations are excellent, and the whole 

 book is full of clear, concise information of great value for those 

 possessing a garden, or intending to make one. If there is a fault at all 

 we think it is in the formality and the architecture of the gardens near 

 the mansion ; though, in the majority of the illustrations, we admit the 

 whole is in harmony with the building. However, this is a matter of 

 taste, and what is beautiful to one may be the opposite to another. 

 The chapters on " Gardens, Old and New," and " The Site and its 

 Treatment," are particularly interesting and instructive, and the way 

 in which striking and beautiful features may be introduced with good 

 taste are well indicated. In the chapter on " Gates and Fences for 

 Garden and Park " the difficult problem of the best boundary is 

 thoroughly treated upon, and will be read with attention by all troubled 

 on this important subject. Again the chapter on " Lawns and Garden 

 Walks " is one that shows a master hand, for often do we find both to 

 the highest degree unsatisfactory. The best kinds of grass seeds are 



