174 THE FLORIST AND 
try. It seems to me that we may denaturalize a place in tlie two following 
ways :— either by depriving it of some of the individual species and groups 
that belong to it ; or by arranging them in an order that can only be 
attained by art. Nature has made certain groups to harmonize with one 
another, and to depend on each other : and if we disturb these relations we 
do violence to her system. And though there may be certain noxious 
plants and animals which must for our own safety and comfort be extir- 
pated, the offence we thereby commit against the order of nature is a neces- 
sary deviation from a general principle. 
The English artists in landscape, and their followers, have omitted to 
take all these things into consideration, and have believed themselves copy- 
ists of nature, when they have simply imitated her irregularities, in the ar- 
rangement of the different objects in their grounds, while they omit to copy 
her other graces or characteristics. It is true that nature does not plant 
her herbs, trees and shrubs in rows, or according to any mathematical lines 
or figures : but it does not follow that one who plants in the same irregular 
manner, produces a work that is modeled after nature. As well might we 
call hina a mathematician, who placed his figures in mathematical columns, 
while the figures had no relation to one another, and led to no result. We 
must form our opinion of the character of any tract by the decision of na- 
ture herself. If Ave find within it all those indigenous plants which would 
have been found there, if the grounds had never been disturbed, and all 
the indigenous birds and animals accei^ting it as their home, then may w^ 
believe that nature is truly the presiding goddess, receiving the homage of 
all her creatures. 
The little solitary birds that flee the park and orchard, and reside only 
in the woods where certain of their natural conditions still remain, would 
not inquire whether the planter had arranged his trees and shrubs in rows, 
or scattered them at random ; but whether he had left the wild bushes, 
grasses and vines in which they are accustomed to nestle, and the wild fruits 
and seeds that afford them sustenance. How geometrically soever the trees 
and shrubs may be arranged, if they are attended by the same groups and 
species that form their bedding and undergrowth in the wilderness, the tract 
thus arranged is more natural than a park consisting only of selected trees 
and lawn, without any undergrowth of native plants. In the one case, every 
natural circumstance is present, except the irregular planting ; in the other 
case, every natural circumstance except the irregular planting is absent. 
Those in^provers, therefore, who flattered themselves that they were copy- 
ists of nature, when they introduced the custom of irregular planting, and 
