314 
THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
clematis, or creeper-vine might thrive there. We cannot pursue 
the subject, but these brief hints may bo useful. 
The best screens in all cases are those which are at once useful 
and appropriate furniture, and have no appearance of being screens 
at all. A fine clump of mixed shrubs may effectually exclude 
from view an objectionable scene, without suggesting to anv one 
that its office is to hide something much more than make a display 
on its own account. But a belt of common laurel on the same spot 
will have an unmitigable screen-like look, and to some quick minds, 
will prove as suggestive as if in its place there stood a great sign- 
board, bearing an inscription, “ Please not to look this way.” A 
rustic alcove may be made to form the termination of a view, with 
the warrant of usefulness to justify it. Such a little construction as 
the figure on page 313 represents, is also well adapted to the purpose, 
as it may be extended any reasonable distance right and el . 
few shrubs rising above it in the rear will effectually complete it as a 
block to the view, without the shadow' of a suggestion of anything 
ugly beyond requiring to be hidden. 
A collector of antiquities might extemporize a screen delight- 
fully neglige and artistic, all unintentionally, by thrustiug into some 
odd nook in the garden ancieDt monuments and slabs of stone, for 
which there could not be found accommodation in the museum. 
Some such effect as this, a little less classic in tone perhaps, we may 
see in a country builder’s yard, and possibly in such a place materials 
towards an imitation of our own sketch (mayhap an improvement on 
it might be obtained at a very trifling cost). In the event of an imita- 
tion being adopted, the materials should all be copies of authentic 
originals, both for the sake of effect and to enable the owner to 
relate their history when questioned by a curious guest. 
Green Aucades. — Overmuch pruning aud trimming of trees 
results in harshness of outlines, aud the inevitable deadness that 
accompanies tameness and sameness. It is well to see trees of dis- 
tinctive habit totvering up in all their natural character without 
guidance or compulsion, even in the midst of the most highly dressed 
and formal gardens. We are no advocates for wood-chopping in 
general, nevertheless there are good reasons for the practice in par- 
ticular cases, and by judicious clipping and pruning beautiful effects 
may be produced both in the highly finished and the semi-rustic 
scenes. 
The solemn shade, 
Verdure and gloom, where many branches meet; 
So grateful, when the noon of summer made 
The valleys sick with heat. 
( To he continued.) 
