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A 
 
 TREATISE 
 
 ON 
 
 THE THEORY AND PRACTICE 
 
 OF 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING, 
 
 ADAPTED TO 
 
 NORTH AMERICA; 
 
 WITH A VIEW TO 
 
 THE IMPROVEMENT OF COUNTRY RESIDENCES. 
 
 COMPRISING 
 
 HISTORICAL NOTICES AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF THE ART, 
 
 DIRECTIONS FOR LAYING OUT GROUNDS AND ARRANGING PLANTATIONS, 
 
 THE DESCRIPTION AND CULTIVATION OF HARDY TREES, 
 
 DECORATIVE ACCOMPANIMENTS TO THE HOUSE AND GROUNDS, 
 
 THE FORMATION OF PIECES OF ARTIFICIAL WATER, FLOWER GARDENS, ETC. 
 
 WITH REMARKS ON 
 
 RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 
 
 Seconli 3SDition, 
 
 ENLARGED, REVISED, AND NEWLY ILLUSTRATED. 
 
 By a. J. DOWNING, 
 
 AUTHOR OF DESIGNS FOR COTTAGE RESIDENCES, ETC. 
 
 ' Insult not Nature with absurd expense, 
 Nor spoil lier simple charms by vain pretence ; 
 Weigh well the subject, he with caution bold, 
 Profuse of genius, not profuse of gold." 
 
 NEW-YORK & LONDON: 
 
 WILEY AND PUTNAM. 
 1844. 
 
Entered according to the Act of Congress, by 
 
 A. J. Downing, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the Southern District of New-York, 
 
 in the year 1841. 
 
 NEW-TORK : 
 
 "WlIiLIAM OsBORN, PeIKTER, 
 
 83 William.strect. 
 
TO 
 
 JOHN aUINCY ADAMS, LL.D., 
 
 EX-PKESIDENT OP THE UNITED STATES; 
 
 THE LOVER OF RURAL PURSUITS, 
 
 AS WELL A3 
 
 THE DISTINGUISHED PATRIOT, STATESMAN, 
 
 AND sage; 
 THIS VOLUME, 
 
 BT FEBMISSION, 
 IS EESPECTFULLT AND AFFECTIONATELY 
 DEDICATED, 
 
 BT HIS FKIEND, 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
 ^ 
 
 74S43 
 
PREFACE 
 
 TO THE SECOND EDITION. 
 
 The favourable manner in which the first edition of this 
 work has been received, is highly gratifying to the author ; 
 and the strong interest existing, at the present moment, 
 on the subject of rural improvement gives us every rea- 
 son to hope that during the next twenty years, our 
 advance towards a national taste in Landscape Gardening 
 and Architecture, will be as rapid as it has hitherto been in 
 the increase of population and general prosperity. Those, 
 who have reflected how much the happy condition of a 
 nation depends on the nature of its " country homes," will 
 be able to appreciate the moral and social value of such a 
 progress in taste. 
 
 In the present edition, a large part of the first portion of the 
 work has been re-written, — some modification of the princi- 
 ples of the art have been introduced, — considerable new 
 matter has been added, — the whole has been revised, and 
 newly and more copiously illustrated, from examples now 
 existing in this country, — and the work is now offered in a 
 much more complete form, than it was heretofore possible to 
 present it. 
 
 A. J. D. 
 
 Highland Gardens, 
 Newburgli, N. Y., Aug. 1844. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 A TASTE for rural improvements of every description is 
 advancing silently, but with great rapidity in this country. 
 While yet in the far west the pioneer constructs his rude 
 hut of logs for a dwelling, and sweeps away with his axe 
 the lofty forest trees that encumber the ground, in the older 
 portions of the Union, bordering the Atlantic, we are sur- 
 rounded by all the luxuries and refinements that belong to 
 an old and long cultivated country. Within the last ten 
 years, especially, the evidences of the growing wealth and 
 prosperity of our citizens have become apparent in the great 
 increase of elegant cottage and villa residences on the banks 
 of our noble rivers, along our rich valleys, and wherever 
 nature seems to invite us by her rich and varied charms. 
 
 In all the expenditure of means in these improvements, 
 amounting in the aggregate to an immense sum, professional 
 talent is seldom employed in Architecture or Landscape 
 Gardening, but almost every man fancies himself an ama- 
 teur, and endeavours to plan and arrange his own residence. 
 With but little practical knowledge, and few correct princi- 
 ples for his guidance, it is not surprising that we witness 
 much incongruity and great waste of time and money. 
 Even those who are familiar with foreign works on the sub- 
 ject in question labour under many obstacles in practice, 
 which grow out of the difference in our soil and climate, or 
 our social and political position. 
 
 These views have so often presented themselves to me of 
 
Vlll PREFACE. 
 
 late, and have been so frequently urged by persons desiring 
 advice, that I have ventured to prepare the present volume, 
 in the hope of supplying, in some degree, the desideratum so 
 much felt at present. While we have treatises, in abun- 
 dance, on the various departments of the arts and sciences, 
 there has not appeared even a single essay on the elegant art 
 of Landscape Gardening. Hundreds of individuals who wish 
 to ornament their grounds and embellish their places, are at 
 a loss how to proceed, from the want of some leading prin- 
 ciples, with the knowledge of which they would find it com- 
 paratively easy to produce delightful and satisfactory results. 
 
 In the following pages I have attempted to trace out such 
 principles, and to suggest practicable methods of embellishing 
 our Rural Residences, on a scale commensurate to the views 
 and means of our proprietors. While I have availed myself 
 of the works of European authors, and especially those of 
 Britain, where Landscape Gardening was first raised to the 
 rank of a fine art, I have also endeavoured to adapt my sug- 
 gestions especially to this country and to the peculiar wants 
 of its inhabitants. 
 
 As a people descended from the English stock, we inherit 
 much of the ardent love of rural life and its pursuits which 
 belongs to that nation ; but our peculiar position, in a new 
 world that required a population full of enterprise and ener- 
 gy to subdue and improve its vast territory, has, until lately, 
 left but little time to cultivate a taste for Rural Embellish- 
 ment. But in the older states, as wealth has accumulated, 
 the country become populous, and society more fixed in its 
 character, a return to those simple and fascinating enjoy- 
 ments to be found in country life and rural pursuits, is 
 witnessed on every side. And to this innate feeling, out 
 of which grows a strong attachment to natal soil, we must 
 look for a counterpoise to the great tendency towards con- 
 stant change, and the restless spirit of emigration, which 
 form part of our national character ; and which, though to a 
 certain extent highly necessary to our national prosperity, 
 are, on the other hand, opposed to social and domestic hap- 
 
PREFACE. IX 
 
 piness. " In the midst of the continual movement which 
 agitates a democratic community," says the most philosophi- 
 cal writer who has yet discussed our institutions, " the tie 
 which unites one generation to another, is relaxed or broken ; 
 every man readily loses the trace of the ideas of his fore- 
 fathers, or takes no care about them." 
 
 The love of country is inseparably connected with the 
 love of home. Whatever, therefore, leads man to assemble 
 the comforts and elegancies of life around his habitation, 
 tends to increase local attachments, and render domestic life 
 more delightful ; thus not only augmenting his own enjoy- 
 ment, but strengthening his patriotism, and making him a 
 better citizen. And there is no employment or recreation 
 which affords the mind greater or more permanent satisfac- 
 tion, than that of cultivating the earth and adorning our own 
 property. " God Almighty first planted a garden ; and, in- 
 deed, it is the parent of human pleasures," says Lord Bacon. 
 And as the first man was shut out from the g-nrden, in the 
 cultivation of which no alloy was mixed with his happiness, 
 the desire to return to it seems to be implanted by nature, 
 more or less strongly, in every heart. 
 
 In Landscape Gardening the country gentleman of leisure 
 finds a resource of the most agreeable nature. While there 
 is no more rational pleasure than that derived from its prac- 
 tice by him, who 
 
 " Plucks life's roses in his quiet fields," 
 
 the enjoyment drawn from it, (unlike many other amuse- 
 ments,) is unembittered by the after recollection of pain or 
 injury inflicted on others, or the loss of moral rectitude. In 
 rendering his home more beautiful, he not only contributes 
 to the happiness of his own family, but improves the taste, 
 and adds loveliness to the country at large. There is, 
 perhaps, something exclusive in the taste for some of the 
 fine arts. A collection of pictures, for example, is compara- 
 tively shut up from the world, in the private gallery. But 
 the sylvan and floral collections, — the groves and gardens. 
 
PREPACK. 
 
 which surround the country residence of the man of taste, — 
 are confined by no barriers narrower than the blue heaven 
 above and around them. The taste and the treasures, grad- 
 ually, but certainly, creep beyond the nominal boundaries of 
 the estate, and re-appear in the pot of flowers in the window, 
 or the luxuriant, blossoming vines which clamber over the 
 porch of the humblest cottage by the way side. 
 
 In the present volume I have sought, by rendering fami- 
 liar to the reader most of the beautiful sylvan materials of the 
 art, and by describing their peculiar effects in Landscape 
 Gardening, to encourage a taste among general readers. 
 And I have also endeavoured to place before the amateur 
 such directions and guiding principles as, it is hoped, will 
 assist him materially in laying out his grounds and arrang- 
 ing the general scenery of his residence. 
 
 The lively interest of late manifested in Rural Architec- 
 ture, and its close connection with Landscape Gardening, 
 have induced me to devote a portion of this work to the con- 
 sideration of buildings in rural scenery. 
 
 I take pleasure in acknowledging my obligations and re- 
 turning thanks to my valued correspondent, J. C. Loudon, 
 Esq., F. L. S., etc. of London, the most distinguished garden- 
 ing author of the age, for the illustrations and description of 
 the English Suburban Cottage in the Appendix ; to the seve- 
 ral gentlemen in this country who have kindly furnished 
 me with plans or drawings of their residences ; and to A. J. 
 Davis, Esq. of New- York, and J. Notman, Esq. of Philadel- 
 phia, architects, for architectural drawings and descriptions. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Objects of the art, page 10. The ancient and modern styles, p. 13. 
 Their peculiarities, p. 14. Origin of the modern and natural style, p. 20. 
 Influence of the English poets and writers, p. 22. Examples of the art 
 abroad, p. 27. Landscape Gardening in North America, and examples 
 now existing, p. 29. 
 
 SECTION II. 
 
 BEAUTIES OF LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 Capacities of the art, p. 47. The beauties of the ancient style, p. 48. 
 General beauty, and picturesque beauty : their distinctive characteristics : 
 with illustrations drawn from nature and painting, p. 49. Nature and 
 principles of Landscape Gardening as an imitative art, p. 52. The 
 Graceful School, p. 55. The Picturesque School, p. 56. Simple beauty 
 of the art, p, 60. The principles of Unity, Harmony, and Variety, p. 61. 
 
 SECTION in. 
 
 WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 
 
 The beauty of trees in rural embellishments, p. 66. Pleasure result- 
 ing from their cultivation, p. 69. Plantations in the ancient style ; their 
 formality, p. 70. In the modern style, p. 75. Grouping trees, p. 76. 
 Arrangement and grouping in the Graceful school, p. 81. In the Pic- 
 
XU CONTENTS. 
 
 turesque school, p. 83. Illustrations in planting villa, ferme ornee, and 
 cottage grounds, p. 93. General classification of trees as to forms, with 
 leading characteristics of each class, p. 104. 
 
 SECTION IV. 
 
 DECIDUOUS OKNAMENTAL TREES. 
 
 The history and description of all the finest hardy deciduous trees. 
 Remarks on their effects in Landscape Gardening, individually, and in 
 composition : their cultivation, etc. The oak, p. 118. The elm, p. 131, 
 The plane or buttonwood, p. 136. The ash, p. 140. The lime or linden, 
 p. 144. The beech, p. 148. The poplar, p. 152. The horse chestnut, 
 p. ]58. The birch, p. 161. The alder, p. 166. The maple, p. 168. 
 The locust, p. 173. The three-thorned acacia, p. 177. The Judas tree, 
 p. 179. The chestnut, p. 180. The Osage orange, p. 185. The mul- 
 berry, p. 188. The paper-mulberry, p. 190. The svi^eet gum, p. 192, 
 The walnut, p. 194. The hickory, p. 198. The mountain ash, p. 202. 
 The ailantus, p, 206. The Kentucky coffee, p. 208. The willow, p. 
 211. The sassafras, p. 217. The catalpa, p. 218. The persimmon, p, 
 220. The peperidge, p. 222. The thorn, p, 224, The magnolia, p, 226. 
 The tulip-tree, p. 231, The dogwood, p. 234. The ginko, p. 237. The 
 American cypress, p. 239. The larch, p. 244. The Virgilia, p, 251, 
 The Paulownia, p. 253, 
 
 SECTION V. 
 
 EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES, 
 
 The history and description of all the finest hardy evergreen trees. 
 Remarks on their effects in Landscape Gardening, individually and in 
 composiiion. Their cultivation, etc. The pines, p, 255, The firs, p, 
 264. The cedar of Lebanon, and Deodar cedar, p. 270. The red 
 cedar, p. 274. The arbor vitae, p. 276. The holly, p. 279. The yew, 
 p. 281. 
 
 SECTION VL 
 
 VINES AND CLIMBING PLANTS. 
 
 Value of this kind of vegetation ;— fine natural effects, p. 286. The 
 European ivy, p. 287. The Virginia creeper, p, 290, The wild grape- 
 
CONTENTS Xlll 
 
 vine, p. 291. The bittersweet, — the trumpet creeper, p. 292. The pipe 
 vine, p. 292. The clematis, — the wistaria, p. 293.||iThe honeysuckles 
 and woodbines, p. 294. The climbing roses, p. 296. Tne jasmine and 
 periploca, p. 297. Remarks on the proper mode of introducing vines, p. 
 298. Beautiful effects of climbing plants in connection with buildings, 
 p. 299. 
 
 SECTION VII. 
 
 TREATMENT OF GROUND. — FORMATION OF WALKS. 
 
 Nature of operations on ground, p. 300. Treatment[;of flowing and of 
 irregular surfaces to heighten their expression, p. 301, — of flats or level 
 surfaces, p. 306. Rocks, as materials in landscape, p. 307. Laying out 
 roads and walks : the approach, p. 309. Rules by Repton, p. 312. The 
 drive and minor walks, p. 314. The introduction of fences, p. 315. 
 Verdant hedges, p. 316. 
 
 SECTION VIII. 
 
 TREATMENT OF WATER. 
 
 Beautiful effects of this element in nature, p. 319. In what cases it is 
 desirable to attempt the formation of artificial pieces of water, p. 820. Re- 
 gular forms unpleasing, p. 321. Directions for the formation of ponds or 
 lakes in the irregular manner, p. 323. Study of natural lakes, 324. Is- 
 lands, p. 330. Planting the margin, p. 332. Treatment of natural brooks 
 and rivulets, p. 334. Cascades and water-falls, 33.5. Legitimate sphere 
 of the art in this department, p. 338. 
 
 SECTION IX. 
 
 LANDSCAPE OR RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 
 
 Difference between a city and country house, p. 340. The character- 
 istic features of a country house, p. 341. Examination of the leading 
 principles in Rural Architecture, p. 343. The harmonious union of build- 
 ings and scenery, p. 348. The different styles, p. 351. The Grecian 
 style, its merits and associations, p. 352 ; — its defects for domestic pur- 
 poses, p. 353. The Roman style. The Italian style, p. 3.56 ; — its pecu- 
 liar features, and examples in this country, p. 358. Associations of the 
 Italian style, 360. Swiss style, p. 362. The pointed or Gothic style, — 
 leading features, p. 364. Castellated buildings, p. 367. The Tudor 
 
XIV CONTENTS 
 
 mansion, p. 368. Example here, p. 370. The Elizabethan style, p. 371. 
 The old English cottage,— its features, p. 372. Associations of the 
 pointed style, p. 375. Examples in this country, p. 379. Individual 
 tastes, p. 381. Entrance lodges, p. 382. 
 
 SECTION X. 
 
 EMBELLISHMENTS ; ARCHITECTURAL, RUSTIC, AND FLORAL. 
 
 Value of a proper connection between the house and grounds, p. 388. 
 Beauty of the architectural terrace, and its application to villas and cot- 
 tages, p. 389. Use of vases of different descriptions, p. 392. Sundials, p. 
 396. Architectural flower-garden, p. 397. Irregular flower-garden, p. 
 398. French flower-garden, p. 399. English flower-garden, p. 400. 
 Mino-led flower-garden, p. 406. General remarks on this subject, p. 407. 
 Selection of showy plants, flowering in succession, p. 407. Arrangement 
 of the shrubbery, and selection of choice shrubs, p. 411. The conserva- 
 tory and green-house, p. 418. Open and covered seats, p. 423. Pavi- 
 lions, p. 425. Rustic seats, p. 425. Prospect towers, p. 428. Bridges, 
 p. 430. Rockwork, p. 431. Fountains of various descriptions, p. 435. 
 judicious introduction of decorations, p. 441. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 I. Notes on transplanting trees, p. 442. Reasons for frequent failures 
 in removing large trees, p. 442. Directions for performing this operation, 
 p. 445. Selection of subjects, p. 446. Preparing trees for removal, p. 
 447. Transplanting evergreens, p. 450. 
 
 II. Description of an English suburban residence, Cheshunt Cottage, 
 p. 451. With views and plans showing the arrangement of the house 
 and grounds, p. 452. And mode of managing the whole premises, p. 457. 
 
 III. Note on the treatment of Lawns, p. 490. 
 
 IV. Note on professional quackery, p. 493. 
 
 V. Note on roads and walks, p. 495. 
 
ESSAY ON LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Objects of the Art. The ancient and modern styles. Their peculiarities. Sketch of the 
 ancient style, and the rise and progress of the modern style. Influence of the English poets 
 and writers. Examples of the art abroad. Landscape Gardening in North America, and 
 examples now existing. 
 
 " L'un a nos yeux presento 
 D'un dessein regulierrordonnance imposante, 
 Prete aux champs des beautes qu'ils ne connaissaient pas, 
 D'une pompe etrangere embellit leur appas, 
 Donne aux arbres deslois, aux ondes des entraves, 
 Et, despote orgueilleux, brille entoure d'esclaves ; 
 Son air est moins riant et plus majestueux, 
 Uautre, de la nature amant respectueux, 
 L'orne sans la farder, traite avec indulgence 
 Ses caprices charraants, sa noble negligence, 
 Sa marche irreguliere, et fait naitre avec art 
 Des beautes du desordre, et meme du hasard." 
 
 Delille. 
 
 U R first, most 
 endearing, and 
 
 most sacred • associations," says the amiable Mrs. Hofland. 
 " are connected with gardens ; our most simple and most 
 
 2 
 
 Library 
 N. C. State College 
 
10 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 refined perceptions of beanty are combined with them." 
 And we may add to this, that Landscape Gardening, which 
 is an artistical combination of the beautiful in nature and 
 art—an union of natural expression and harmonious culti- 
 vation — is capable of affording us the highest and most in- 
 tellectual enjoyment to be found in any cares or pleasures 
 belonging to the soil. 
 
 The development of the Beautiful is the end and aim of 
 Landscape Gardening, as it is of all other fine arts. The 
 ancients sought to attain this by a studied and elegant 
 regularity of design in their gardens ; the moderns, by the 
 creation or improvement of grounds which, though of limit- 
 ed extent, exhibit a highly graceful or picturesque epitome 
 of natural beauty. Landscape Gardening differs from gar- 
 dening in its common sense, in embracing the whole scene 
 immediately about a country house, which it softens and 
 refines, or renders more spirited and striking by the aid of 
 art. In it we seek to embody our ideal of a rural home ; 
 not through plots of fruit trees, and beds of choice flowers, 
 though these have their place, but by collecting and combi- 
 ning beautiful forms in trees, surfaces of ground, buildings, 
 and walks, in the landscape surrounding us. It is, in short, 
 the Beautiful, embodied in a home scene. And we attain it 
 by the removal or concealment of every thing uncouth and 
 discordant, and by the introduction and preservation of 
 forms pleasing in their expression, their outlines, and their 
 fitness for the abode of man. In the orchard, we hope to 
 gratify the palate, in the flower garden, the eye and the 
 smell, but in the landscape garden we appeal to that sense 
 of the Beautiful and the Perfect,, which is one of the high- 
 est attributes of om- nature. 
 
 This embellishment of nature, which we call Landscape 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 11 
 
 Gardening, springs naturally from a love of country life, 
 an attachment to a certain spot, and a desire to render that 
 place attractive — a feeling which seems more or less 
 strongly fixed in the minds of all men. But we should 
 convey a false impression, were we to state that it may be 
 applied with equal success to residences of every class and 
 size, in the country. Lawn and trees, being its two essen- 
 tial elements, some of the beauties of Landscape Gardening 
 may, indeed, be shown wherever a rood of grass surface, and 
 half a dozen trees are within our reach ; we may, even with 
 such scanty space, have tasteful grouping, varied surface, 
 and agreeably curved walks ; but our art, to appear to ad- 
 vantage, requires some extent of surface — its lines should 
 lose themselves indefinitely, and unite agreeably and gra- 
 dually with those of the surrounding country. 
 
 In the case of large landed estates, its capabilities may 
 be displayed to their full extent, as from fifty to five hun- 
 dred acres may be devoted to a park or pleasure grounds. 
 Most of its beauty, and all its charms, may, however, be 
 enjoyed in ten or twenty acres, fortunately situated, and 
 well treated ; and Landscape Gardening, in America, com- 
 bined and working in harmony as it is with our fine 
 scenery, is already beginning to give us results scarcely less 
 beautiful than those produced by its finest efibrts abroad. 
 The lovely villa residences of our noble river and lake 
 margins, when well treated — even in a few acres of tasteful 
 fore-ground, — seem so entirely to appropriate the whole 
 adjacent landscape, and to mingle so sweetly in their out- 
 hnes with the woods, the valleys, and shores around them, 
 that the effects are often truly enchanting. 
 
 But if Landscape Gardening, in its proper sense, cannot 
 be applied to the embellishment of the smallest cottage 
 
12 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 residences in the country, its principles may be studied 
 with advantage, even by him who has only three trees to 
 plant for ornament ; and we hope no one will think his 
 grounds too small, to feel willing to add something to the gene- 
 ral amount of beauty in the country. If the possessor of the 
 cottage acre, would embellish in accordance with propriety, 
 he must not, as we have sometimes seen, render the whole 
 ridiculous by aiming at ambitious and costly embellish- 
 ments ; but he will rather seek to delight us by the good 
 taste evinced in the tasteful simplicity of the whole arrange- 
 ment. And if the proprietors of our country villas, in their 
 improvements, are more likely to run into any one error than 
 another, we fear it will be that of too great a desire for dis- 
 play — too many vases, temples, and seats — and too little 
 purity and simplicity of general effect. 
 
 The enquiring reader will perhaps be glad to have a 
 glance at the history and progress of the art of tasteful gar- 
 dening ; a recurrence to which, as well as to the history of 
 the fine arts, will afford abundant proof that, in the first 
 stage or infancy of all these arts, while the perception of their 
 ultimate capabilities is yet crude and imperfect, mankind 
 has in every instance been completely satisfied with the 
 mere exhibition of design or art. Thus in Sculpture, the first 
 statues were only attempts to imitate rudely the /orm of a 
 human figure, or in painting, to represent that of a tree : 
 the skill of the artist, in effecting an imitation successfully, 
 being sufficient to excite the astonishment and admiration of 
 those who had not yet made such advances as to enable 
 them to appreciate the superior beauty of expression. 
 
 Landscape Gardening is, indeed, only a modern word, 
 first coined, we believe, by Shenstone, since the art has 
 been based upon natural beauty ; but as an extensively 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 13 
 
 embellished scene, filled with rare trees, fountains and 
 statues, may, however artificial, be termed a landscape gar- 
 den, the classical gardens are fairly included in a retrospec- 
 tive view. 
 
 All late authors agree in these two distinct and widely 
 diiFering modes of the art ; 1st, the Ancient, Formal or 
 Geometric Style ; 2d, the Modern, Natural or Irregular Style. 
 
 The Ancient Style. A predominance of regular forms 
 and right lines is the charateristic feature of the ancient 
 style of gardening. The value of art, of power, and of 
 wealth, were at once easily and strongly shown by an artifi- 
 cial arrangement of all the materials ; an arrangement the 
 more striking, as it differed most widely from nature. And 
 in an age when costly and stately architecture was most 
 abundant, as in the times of the Roman empire, it is natural 
 to suppose, that the symmetry and studied elegance of the 
 palace, or the villa, would be transferred and continued in 
 the surrounding gardens. 
 
 Nothing fills so grand a place in the history of the gar- 
 dening of antiquity, as the great hanging gardens of Baby- 
 lon. A series of terraces supported by stone pillars, rising 
 one above the other three hundred feet in height, and 
 planted with rows of all manner of stately trees, shrubs and 
 flowers, interspersed with seats, and watered and supplied 
 with fountains from the Euphrates ; all this was indeed a 
 princely effort of the great king to recall to his Medean 
 queen the beauties of her native country. The " Paradises" 
 of the Persians, seem not only to have had straight walks 
 bordered with blossoming trees, and overhung with exquisite 
 lines of roses and other odoriferous shrubs, but to have been 
 interspersed with occasional thickets, and varied with foun- 
 tains, prospect towers, and aviaries for singing birds. 
 
14 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 The Athenians borrowed their taste in gardens from 
 Persia. The hme tree and the box lined their walks, and 
 bore patiently the shears of symmetry ; and a passion 
 for fragrant flowers seems to have been greatly indulged 
 by them. Their most celebrated philosophers made the 
 sylvan, or landscape gardens of their time, their favourite 
 schools. And the gardens of Epicurus and Plato appear 
 to have been symmetrical groves of the olive, plane, and 
 elm, enriched by elegant statues, moniunents and temples, 
 the beauty of which, for their peculiar purpose, has never 
 been surpassed by any example of more modern times. 
 Among the Romans, ornamental gardening seems to have 
 been not a little studied. The villas of the Emperors Nero 
 and Adrian were enriched with every thing magnificent 
 and pleasing in their gromids ; and the classically famous 
 villas of Cicero at Arpium, and of Pliny at Thuseum, with 
 Caesar's 
 
 " Private arbors, and new planted orchards. 
 On tliis side Tiber," 
 
 are among the most celebrated specimens of the taste 
 among the ancients. Pliny's garden, of which a pretty 
 minute account remains, — filled with cypresses and bay 
 trees, planted to form a coursing place or hippodrome, 
 adorned with vis-a-vis figures of animals cut in box trees, and 
 decorated with fountains and marble alcoves, shaded by 
 vines — seems, indeed, to have been the true classical type of 
 all the later efforts of modern continental nations in their 
 geometric gardens. 
 
 Of the latter, the Italians have been most successful in 
 their ornamental gromids. Their beautiful marbles seem 
 to have been supplied by Art in too great profusion to be 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 15 
 
 confined even to the colonnades of their villas, and broad 
 enriched terraces, vases, and statues, every where enliven, 
 and contrast with, the verdure of the foliage ; trees and plants 
 being often less abundant, than the sculptural ornaments 
 which they serve to set off to advantage. An island — Isola 
 Bella — in one of their little lakes, has often been quoted 
 as the most highly wrought type of the Italian taste ; "a 
 barren rock," says a spirited writer, " rising in the midst of 
 a lake, and producing but a few poor lichens, which has 
 been converted into a pyramid of terraces supported on 
 arches, and ornamented with bays and orange trees of 
 amazing size and beauty." The Villa Borghese, at Rome, 
 is one of the most celebrated later examples, with its 
 pleasure grounds three miles in circumference, filled with 
 symmetrical walks and abounding with an endless pro- 
 fusion of sculpture. 
 
 The old French gardens differ little from those of Italy, 
 if we except that, with the same formality, they have more 
 of theatrical display— frequently substituting gilt trellises 
 and wooden statues for the exquisite marble balustrades 
 and sculptured ornaments of the Italians. But we must 
 not forget the crowning glory of the Geometric style, the 
 gardens of Louis XIV. at Versailles. A prince whose grand 
 idea of a royal garden was not compassed under two hun- 
 dred acres devoted to that purpose, and who, when shown 
 the bills of cost in their formation, amounting to two hun- 
 dred millions of francs, quietly threw them into the fire, 
 could scarcely fail, whatever the style of art adopted, in 
 producing a scene of great splendor. He was fortunate, too, 
 in his gardener, Le Notre, whose ideas, scarcely less superb 
 than those of his master, kept pace so closely with his 
 fancies, that he received the honor of knighthood, and was 
 
16 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 made general director of all the buildings and gardens of 
 the time. 
 
 " The gardens of Versailles," says a tasteful English 
 reviewer, " may indeed be taken as the great exemplar of 
 this style ; and magnificent indeed they are, if expense 
 and extent and variety suffice to make up magnificence. 
 To draw petty figures in dwarf-box and elaborate pat- 
 terns in parti-colored sand, might well be dispensed with 
 where the formal style was carried out on so grand a scale 
 as this, but otherwise the designs of Le Notre differ little 
 from that of his predecessors in the geometric style, save in 
 their monstrous extent. The great wonder of Versailles 
 was the well known labyrinth, not such a maze as is really 
 the source of so much idle amusement at Hampton Court, 
 but a mere ravel of interminable walks, closely fenced in 
 with high hedges, in which thirty-nine of ^sop's fables 
 were represented by painted copper figiues of birds and 
 beasts, each group connected with a separate fountain, and 
 all spouting water out of their mouths ! Every tree was 
 planted with geometrical exactness, and parterre answered 
 to parterre across half a mile of gravel. " Such symmetry," 
 says Lord Byron, " is not for solitude ;" and certainly, the 
 gardens of Versailles were not planted with any such in- 
 tent. The Parisians do not throng there for the contempla- 
 tion to be found in the " trim gardens" of Milton. There 
 is indeed a melancholy, but not a pleasing one, in wander- 
 ing alone, through, those many acres of formal hornbeam, 
 when we feel that it requires the " galliard and clinquant" 
 air of a scene of Watteau ; its crowds and love-making — its 
 hoops and minuets — a ringing laugh and merry tambourine 
 — to make us recognise the real genius of the place. 
 Taking Versailles on the gigantic type of the French 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 17 
 
 school, it need scarcely be said that it embraces broad 
 gravelled terraces, long alleys of yew and hornbeam, vast 
 orangeries, groves planted in the quincunx style, and 
 water-works embellished with, and conducted through 
 every variety of sculptured ornament. It takes the middle 
 line between the other two geometric schools — admitting 
 more sculpture and other works of art than the Italian, but 
 not overpowered with the same number of " huge masses 
 of littleness" as the Dutch. There is more of promenade, 
 ' less of parterre ; more gravel than turf ; more of the de- 
 ciduous than the evergreen tree- The practical water-wit 
 of drenching the spectators was in high vogue in the 
 ancient French gardens ; and Evelyn, in his accoimt of 
 the Duke of Richelieu's villa, describes with some relish 
 how ' on going, two extravagant musketeers shot at us 
 with a stream of water from their musket barrels.' Contri- 
 vances for dousing the visitors — ' especially the ladies' — 
 which once filled so large a space in the catalogue of every 
 show place, seem to militate a little against the national 
 character for gallantry ; but the very fact that every thing 
 was done to surprise the spectator and stranger, evinces 
 how different was their idea of a garden from the home and 
 familiar pleasures which an Englishman looks to in his." 
 
 It is scarcely necessary for us to say, that this new splen- 
 dor of the French in their gardens was more or less copied, 
 at the time, all over Europe. " Ainsi font les Frangais — 
 voild ce qiiefai vuen France,^^ was the law of fashion in the 
 gardening taste from which there was no higher court of 
 appeal. But, in copying, every nation seems to have min- 
 gled with the " grand style" some elementary notions of 
 its own, expressive of national character or locality. 
 The most marked of these imitators were the Dutch, whose 
 
 3 
 
18 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 Style of ornamental gardening seems sufficiently unique to 
 be worthy of being considered a separate school. 
 
 And how shall we characterize the Dutch school, which 
 even to this day^ in the Low Countries, has scarcely given 
 way to the continental admiration for the ^^jardin Anglais ;" 
 this double distilled compound of laboured symmetry, regu- 
 larity, and stiifness which seems to convey to the quiet own- 
 ers so much pleasure, and the tasteful traveller and critic so 
 much despair ! A stagnant and muddy canal, with a bridge 
 thrown over it, and often connected with a circular fish- 
 pond ; a grass slope and a mound of green turf ; on which 
 is a pleasure or banqueting house with gilt ornaments ; num- 
 berless clipped trees, and every variety of trellis work lively 
 with green paint ; in the foreground beds of gay bulbs and 
 florist's flowers, interspersed with huge orange trees in tubs, 
 and in the distance smooth green meadows — such are the 
 unvarying features of the Hollander's garden or grounds.* 
 The true Dutchman looks upon his garden as a quiet jilace 
 to smoke and be " content" in ; if he lazily saunters through, 
 it is rather to enjoy the gay pencillings of some new bed of 
 tulips than to enjoy the elegance and harmony of its design, 
 the variety of scenery, or the freshness and beauty of the 
 foliage. At the same time, he is neither exclusive nor secret 
 with the stores of enjoyment which he has within its bounds ; 
 and very many of the private villas near Rotterdam, and in 
 other parts of Holland, have mottoes like these inscribed 
 over the gateways—" Tranquil and Content," '• My desire 
 is satisfied" — {genegentheiel is volde?i,) — " Friendship and 
 sociability," and numerous others of a similar import. 
 
 * In the neighborhood of Antwerp, not a long time since, was the villa of M. 
 Smetz, where, among many things that were pretty, was the odd conceitof a lawn 
 on which were a shepherd, his flock of sheep, and his dog cut in stone, and always 
 looking " pastoral and country like." 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES, 19 
 
 The ornamental gardening of England in the early ages, 
 and during the reigns of Elizabeth, James, and Charles, 
 was in the same courtly and formal taste. Always fonder 
 than any other people of great landed estates, their parks, 
 even in the days of the Henrys, were grand wooded sur- 
 faces, full of wild sylvan beauty ; but that part considered 
 the ornamental groimds, near the house, was always laid 
 out in right lined avenues, labyrinths, parterres, and knot- 
 ted gardens. " Nonsuch," a royal residence, was the gar- 
 dening wonder of the reign of Henry the VHI. ; and the 
 chroniclers have left enthusiastic notes of its various charms. 
 Keutzner, in his account of these gardens, says, " in the 
 grove of Diana is a very agreeable fountain, with Acteon 
 turned into a stag, as he was sprinkled by the goddess and 
 her nymphs, with inscriptions ; besides another pyramid of 
 marble, full of concealed pipes, which spirt on all who come 
 within their reach." 
 
 Charles II. startled, like the rest of Europe, with the 
 fame of Versailles, sent for Le Notre, who, it is said, plant- 
 ed St. James and Greenwich parks, and inspired the nobility 
 with a taste for some of the more splendid formalities of 
 the French school of design. 
 
 Vegetable sculpture, and all the accompaniments of Dutch 
 taste were introduced with King William, and had their hey- 
 day of fashion ; and we may get a good notion of the subjects 
 most in vogue, by an extract from Pope's keen satire on 
 the popular taste, written as late as 1713, when it was be- 
 gimiing to get into disrepute. 
 
 Inventory of a Virtuoso Gardener. Adam and 
 Eve in yew ; Adam, a little shattered by the fall of the 
 tree of knowledge in the great storm ; Eve and the 
 serpent, very flourishing. Noah's ark in Holly ; the 
 ribs a little damaged for want of water, 
 
20 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 The tower of Babel, not yet finished. 
 
 St. George, in box ; his arm scarce long enough, but will 
 be in a condition to stick the dragon by next April. 
 
 Edward the Black Prince, in cypress. 
 
 A pair of giants stunted, to be sold cheap. 
 
 An old maid of honor, in wormwood. 
 
 A topping Ben Jonson, in laurel. 
 
 Divers eminent modern poets, in bays ; somewhat 
 blighted. 
 
 A quick set hog, shot up into a porcupine, by being for- 
 got a week in rainy weather. 
 
 A lavender pig, with sage growing in his belly. 
 
 Whatever may have been the absurdities of the ancient 
 style, it is not to be denied that in connection with highly 
 decorated architecture, its effect, when in the best taste — as 
 the Italian — is not only splendid and striking, but highly 
 suitable and appropriate. Sir Walter Scott, in an essay 
 on landscape embellisment, says, " if we approve of Palla- 
 dian architecture, the vases and balustrades of Vitruvius, 
 the enriched entablatures and superb stairs of the Italian 
 school of gardening, we must not, on this accoimt, be con- 
 strued as vindicating the paltry imitations of the Dutch, 
 who clipped yews into monsters of every species, and re- 
 lieved them with painted wooden figures. The distinction 
 betwixt the Italian and Dutch is obvious. A stone hewn 
 into a gracefully ornamented vase or urn, has a value 
 which it did not before possess ; a yew hedge clipped into 
 a fortification, is only defaced. The one is a production of 
 art, the other a distortion of nature." 
 
 The Modern Style. Dawn to the time of Addison, 
 in the begiiming of the eighteenth century, the formal style 
 reigned triumphant. The gardener, the architect, and the 
 sculptor — all lovers of regularity and symmetry, had re- 
 tained complete mastery of its arrangements. And it is 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 21 
 
 worthy of more than a passing remark, that when the 
 change in taste did take place, it emanated from the poet, 
 the painter, and the tasteful scholar, rather than from the 
 practical man. In the poetical imagination, indeed, the 
 ideal type of a modern landscape garden seems always to 
 have been more or less shadowed forth. The Vaucluse of 
 Petrarch, Tasso's garden of Armida, the vale of Tempe of 
 iElian, were all exquisite conceptions of the modern style. 
 And Milton, surrounded as he was by the splendid formali- 
 ties of the gardens of his time, copied from no existing 
 models, but feeling that Eden must have been free and ma- 
 jestic in its outlines, he drew from his inner sense of the 
 beautiful, and from nature as he saw her developed in the 
 works of the Creator. There, the crisped brooks, — 
 
 " With mazy error under pendant shades 
 Ran nectar, visiting each plant, and fed 
 Flowers worthy of Paradise, which not nice Art 
 In beds and curious knots, but Nature boon 
 Pour'd forth profuse, on hill and dale and plain, 
 Both where the morning sun first warmly smote 
 The open field, and where the unpierced shade 
 Imbrown'd the noontide bowers ; thus was this place 
 Ahappy rural seat of various view." 
 
 But it required more than poetical types to change the 
 long rooted fashion. The lever of satire needed to be ap- 
 plied, and the golden links that bind Nature and Art more 
 clearly revealed, before the old system could be made to 
 waver. Lord Bacon, who looked deeper into the essence of 
 all things than most men of his age, was one of the first to 
 feel uneasy under the dominion of the formal taste ; and, in 
 his essay on gardens, full of a stately and noble plan, he 
 ventured, in the reign of James I. a tilt at the popular taste. 
 
22 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 " As for the making of knots or figures with divers colored 
 earths, that they may lie mider the windows of the house, 
 they be but toys ; you may see as good sights many times 
 in tarts. I, for my part, do not like images cut out in 
 juniper or other garden stuff ; they are for children." 
 
 Without a doubt, however, the glory and merit of the 
 gardening revolution belong mainly to Addison and Pope. 
 In 1712 appeared Addison's papers on Imagination, con- 
 sidered with reference to the works of Nature and Art. 
 With a delicate and masterly hand, at a time when he pos- 
 sessed, through the " Spectator," the ear of all refined and 
 tasteful England, he lifted the veil between the garden and 
 natural charms, and showed how beautiful were their rela- 
 tions — how soon the imagination wearies with the stifihess 
 of the former, and how much grace may be caught from a 
 free-er imitation of the swelling wood and hill. 
 
 The next year Pope, who was both a poet and painter, 
 opened his quiver of satire in the celebrated article on ver- 
 dant sculpture m the Guardian, where he ridiculed with no 
 sparing hand the sheared alleys, formal groves, and 
 
 " Statues growing that noble place in, 
 All heathen goddesses most rare, 
 JHomer, Plutarch, and Nebuchadnezzar, 
 Standing naked in the open air !" 
 
 Pope was a refined and skilful amateur, and his garden 
 at Twickenham became a celebrated miniature type of the 
 natural school. In his Epistle to Lord Burlington, he de- 
 veloped somid principles for the new art ; — the study of 
 nature ; the genius of the place ; and never to lose sight of 
 good sense ; the latter a rule which the whimsical follies 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 23 
 
 of that day in gardening, seemed, doubtless, to render espe- 
 cially necessary, but which the discordant abortions of am- 
 bitious, would-be men of taste, prove is one soonest violated 
 in every succeeding age. 
 
 The change in the popular feeling thus created, soon 
 gave rise to innovations in the practical art. Bridgeman, 
 the fashionable garden artist of the time, struck, as Horace 
 Walpole thinks, by Pope's criticisms, banished verdant 
 sculptiue from his plans, and introduced bits of forest scene- 
 ry in the gardens at Richmond. And Loudon and Wise, 
 the two noted nurserymen of the day, laid out Kensington 
 gardens anew in a manner so much more natural as to 
 elicit the warm commendations of Addison in the Specta- 
 tor. It is not too much to say that Kent was the leader of 
 this class. Originally a painter, and the friend of Lord 
 Burlington, he next devoted himself to the subject, and 
 was, undoubtedly, the first professional landscape gardener 
 in the modern style. Previous artists had confined their 
 efforts within the rigid walls of the garden, but Kent, who 
 saw in all nature a garden-landscape, demolished the walls, 
 introduced the ha-ha^ and by blending the park and the 
 garden, substituted for the primness of the old enclosure, 
 the freedom of the pleasiire-groimd. His taste seems to 
 have been partly formed by Pope, and the Twickenham 
 garden was the prototype of those of Carlton House, Kent's 
 chefd'oeuvre. And, notwithstanding his faults, "his tem- 
 ples, obelisks, and gazabos of every description in the park, 
 all stuck about in their respective high places," notwith- 
 standing that his passion for natural effects led him into the 
 absurdity of sometimes planting an old dead tree to make 
 the allusion more perfect, we have no hesitation in ac- 
 cording to Kent the merit of first fully establishing, in 
 
24 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 practice, the reform in taste which Addison and Pope had 
 so completely developed in theory. 
 
 Among the landmarks of the progress of the taste, we must 
 not refuse a passing notice of what seems to have been an 
 unique and beautiful specimen of the new feeling for em- 
 bellished nature — Leasowes, the "sentimental farm" of Shen- 
 stone. From contemporary accounts, it appears to have 
 been originally a grazing farm, from which, by tasteful 
 arrangement and planting, and pretty walks, seats, root- 
 house, urns, and appropriate inscriptions, the poet created a 
 scene of much pastoral and poetical beauty. 
 
 The modern style, was now running high in popular 
 favour in England, but the next professor of the art. Brown, 
 seems to have been a mannerist with so little true sym- 
 pathy with nature, as to be made the jest of every succeed- 
 ing generation- — great and fashionable, as the fortune he 
 amassed, and the long list of royal and noble places 
 which he remodelled, sufficiently prove him to have been in 
 his day. " Capability" Brown, as he was nicknamed, saw 
 in every new place great capabilities, but unfortunately his 
 own mind seems to have furnished but one model — a round 
 lake, a smooth bare lawn, a clump of trees and a boundary 
 belt — which he expanded, with few variations, to suit the 
 compass of an estate of a thousand acres, or a cottage with 
 a few roods. His works were often on a grand scale, and 
 he boasted that the Thames would never forgive him for 
 the rival he had created in the artificial lake at Blenheim. 
 " The places he altered," says Loudon, " are beyond all 
 reckoning. Improvement was the fashion of the time ; and 
 there was scarcely a country gentleman who did not, on some 
 occasion or other, consult the gardening idol of the day." 
 Mason, the poet, praises this artist, and Horace Walpole apolo- 
 
 Library 
 N, C. State CoUeoe 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 25 
 
 gizes for not praising him." Daines Barrington says, "Kent 
 hath been succeeded by Brown, who hath undoubtedly, 
 great merit in laying out pleasure grounds ; but I conceive, 
 that, in some of his plans, I see traces rather of the kitchen 
 gardener of old Stowe, than of Poussin, or Claude Lorraine." 
 
 This mannerism gave rise finally, to the celebrated work 
 On the Picturesque by Sir Uvedale Price, who, in a series of 
 elegant and masterly essays, pointed out the faults and follies 
 of this Brown and his imitators, analyzed the beautiful and 
 picturesque in nature and art, and founded a new school, 
 more spirited and free in its aim, deriving its principles 
 directly from nature and painting. These, with Knight's 
 elegant Poem, the Landscape, the English Garden by 
 Mason, and Whately's Observations on Modern Garden- 
 ing, all published between 1750 and the beginning of the 
 year 1800, established the new style firmly in the public mind. 
 On the Continent, especially in France, though the old 
 fashioned gardens were not demolishedj as in England, 
 new ones were laid out in accordance with the dawning taste, 
 and none of the antique establishments were thought perfect 
 without a spot set apart as a jardin Anglais. 
 
 It is not a little remarkable that the Chinese taste in gar- 
 dening, which was first made known to the English public 
 about this time, is by far the nearest previous approach to 
 the modern style. Some critics, indeed, have asserted that 
 the English are indebted to it for their ideas of the modern 
 style. However this may be, and we confess it has very 
 little weight with us, the harmonious system which the taste 
 of the English has evolved in the modern style, is at the 
 present day, too far beyond the Chinese manner to admit of 
 any comparison. The first is imbued with beauty of the 
 most graceful and agreeable character, based upon nature, 
 
 4 
 
26 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 and refined by art ; while the latter abounds in puerilities 
 and whimsical conceits — rocky hills, five feet high— minia- 
 ture bridges — dwarf oaks, a hundred years old and twenty 
 inches in altitude — which, whatever may be our admiration 
 for the curious ingenuity and skill tasked in their produc- 
 tion, leave on our mind, no very favourable impression of 
 the taste which designed them. 
 
 The most distinguished English Landscape Gardeners of 
 more recent date, are the late Humphrey Repton, who died 
 in 1818 ; and since him John Claudius Loudon, better known 
 in this country, as the celebrated gardening author. Repton's 
 taste in Landscape gardening was cultivated and elegant, and 
 many of the finest parks and pleasure grounds of England, 
 at the present day, bear witness to the skill and harmony of 
 his designs. His published works are full of instructive 
 hints, and at Cobham Hall, one of the finest seats in 
 Britain, is an inscription to his memory, by Lord Darnley. 
 
 Mr. Loudon's* writings and labours in tasteful gardening, 
 are too well known, to render it necessary that we should 
 do more than allude to them here. Much of what is known 
 of the art in this country undoubtedly is, more or less directly 
 to be referred to the influence of his published works. Al- 
 though he is, as it seems to us, somewhat deficient as an 
 artist, in imagination, no previous author ever deduced, so 
 clearly, sound artistical principles in Landscape Gardening, 
 and Rural Architecture ; and fitness, good sense, and beauty, 
 are combined with a remarkable unity of feeling in all his 
 works. 
 
 * While we are revising this edition, we regret deeply to learn the death of Mr. 
 Loudon. His herculean labours as an author, have at last destroyed him ; and 
 in his death we lose one who has done more than any other person that ever 
 lived to popularise, and render universal, a taste for Gardening and Domestic 
 Architecture. 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 27 
 
 As the modern style owes its origin mainly to the English, 
 so it has also been developed and carried to its greatest per- 
 fection in the British Islands. The law of primogeniture, 
 which has there so long existed, in itself, contributes greatly 
 to the continual improvement and embellishment of those 
 vast landed estates, that remain perpetually in the hands 
 of the same family. Magnificent buildings, added to by each 
 succeeding generation, who often preserve also the older 
 portions with the most scrupulous care ; wide spread parks, 
 clothed with a thick velvet turf, which amid their moist 
 atmosphere, preserves during great part of the year an eme- 
 rald greenness — studded with noble oaks and other forest 
 trees which number centuries of growth and maturity ; these 
 advantages, in the hands of the most intelligent and the 
 wealthiest aristocracy in the world, have indeed made, 
 almost, an entire landscape garden of " merry England." 
 Among a multitude of splendid examples of these noble resi- 
 dences, we will only refer the reader to the celebrated 
 Blenheim, the seat of the Duke of Marlborough, where the 
 lake alone (probably the largest piece of artificial water in 
 the world) covers a surface of two hundred acres : Warwick 
 Castle, a venerable pile, portions of which have been built 
 a thousand years, standing on a hill from whence the eye, 
 though rangmg over a wide-spread landscape, only beholds 
 the park and wooded demesne of one proprietor : and Woburn 
 Abbey, the grounds of which are full of the choicest speci- 
 mens of trees and plants, and where the park, like that of 
 Ashbridge, Chatsworth, and several other private residences 
 in England, is only embraced within a circumference of 
 from ten, to twenty miles. 
 
 On the continent of Europe, though there are a multitude 
 of examples of the modern style of landscape gardening, 
 
28 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 which is there called the English or naUiral style, yet in 
 the neighborhood of many of the capitals, especially those 
 of the south of Europe, the taste for the geometric or ancient 
 style of gardening still prevails to a considerable extent ; 
 partially no doubt because that style admits, with more 
 facility, of those classical and architectural acompaniments 
 of vases, statues, busts, etc., the passion for which per- 
 vades a people rich in ancient and modern sculptural works 
 of art. Indeed many of the gardens on the continent are 
 more striking from their numerous sculpturesque orna- 
 ments, interspersed with fountains and jets-d'eau, than from 
 the beauty or rarity of their vegetation, or from their ar- 
 rangement. 
 
 In the United States, it is highly improbable that we shall 
 ever witness such splendid examples of landscape gardens 
 as those abroad, to which we have alluded. Here the rights 
 of man are held to be equal ; and if there are no enormous 
 parks, and no class of men whose wealth is hereditary, there 
 is, at least, what is more gratifying to the feelings of the 
 philanthropist, the almost entire absence of a very poor class 
 in the country ; while Ave have, on the other hand, a large 
 class of independent landholders, who are able to assemble 
 around them, not only the useful and convenient, but the 
 agreeable and beautiful, in country life. 
 
 The number of individuals among us who possess wealth 
 and refinement SLifficient to enable them to enjoy the plea- 
 sures of a country life, and who desire in their private resi- 
 dences so much of the beauties of landscape gardening and 
 rural embellishment as may be had without any enor- 
 mous expenditure of means, is every day increasing. And 
 although, until lately, a very meagre plan of laying out the 
 grounds of a residence, was all that we could lay claim 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 29 
 
 to, yet the taste for elegant rural improvements is advancing 
 now so rapidly, that we have no hesitation in predicting that 
 in half a century more, there will exist a greater number of 
 beautiful villas and country seats of moderate extent, in the 
 Atlantic States, than in any country in Europe, England 
 alone excepted. With us, a feeling, a taste, or an improve- 
 ment, is contagious ; and once fairly appreciated and esta- 
 blished in one portion of the country, it is disseminated with 
 a celerity that is indeed wonderful, to every other portion. 
 And though, it is necessarily the case where amateurs of any 
 art are more numerous than its professors, that there will 
 be, in devising and carrying plans into execution, many 
 specimens of bad taste, and perhaps a sufficient number of 
 efforts to improve without any real taste whatever, still we 
 are convinced the effect of our rural embellishments will in 
 the end be highly agreeable, as a false taste is not likely to 
 be a permanent one in a community where every thing is so 
 much the subject of criticism. 
 
 With regard to the literature and practice of Landscape 
 Gardening as an art, in North America, almost every thing 
 is yet before us, comparatively little having yet been 
 done. Almost all the improvements in the gromids of our 
 finest country residences, have been carried on under the 
 direction of the proprietors themselves, suggested by their 
 own good taste, in many instances improved by the study 
 of European authors, or by a personal inspection of the finest 
 places abroad. The only American work previously published 
 which treats directly of Landscape Gardening, is the A7ne7-i- 
 can Garderiefs Calendar, by Bernard McMahon of Phila- 
 delphia. The only practitioner of the art, of any note, was 
 the late M. Parmentier of Brooklyn, Long Island. 
 
 M. Andre Parmentier was the brother of that celebrated 
 
30 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 horticulturist, the ChevaUer Parmentier, Mayor of Enghien, 
 Holland. He emigrated to this country about the year 
 1824, and in the Horticultural Nurseries which he esta- 
 blished at Brooklyn, he gave a specimen of the natural style 
 of laying out grounds, combined with a scientific arrange- 
 ment of plants, which excited public curiosity, and contri- 
 buted not a little, to the dissemination of a taste for the na- 
 tural mode of landscape gardening. 
 
 During M. Parmentier's residence on Long Island, he was 
 almost constantly applied to for plans for laying out the 
 grounds of country seats, by persons in various parts of the 
 Union, as well as in the immediate proximity of New- York. 
 In many cases he not only surveyed the demesne to be im- 
 proved, but furnished the plants and trees necessary to carry 
 out his designs. Several plans were prepared by him for re- 
 sidences of note in the Southern States ; and two or three 
 places in Upper Canada, especially near Montreal, were, we 
 believe, laid out by his own hands and stocked from his 
 nursery grounds. In his periodical catalogue, he arranged 
 the hardy trees and shrubs that fiomish in this latitude in 
 classes, according to their height, etc., and published a short 
 treatise on the superior claims of the natural, over the formal 
 or geometric style of laying out gromids. In short Ave con- 
 sider M. Parmentier's labours and example as having efiected, 
 directly, far more for landscape gardening in America, than 
 those of any other individual whatever. 
 
 The introduction of tasteful gardening in this country is, 
 of course, of a very recent date. But so long ago as from 
 25 to 50 years, there were several country residences highly 
 remarkable for extent, elegance of arrangement, and the 
 highest order and keeping. Among these, we desire espe- 
 cially, to record here the celebrated seats of Chancellor Liv- 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 31 
 
 mgston,,Wm. Hamilton Esq., Theodore Lyman Esq., and 
 Judge Peters. 
 
 Woodlands, the seat of the Hamilton family, near Phila- 
 delphia, was, so long ago as 1805, highly celebrated for its 
 gardening beauties. The refined taste and the wealth of its 
 accomplished owner, were freely lavished in its improvement 
 and embellishment ; and at a time when the introduction of 
 rare exotics was attended with a vast deal of risk and trouble, 
 the extensive green-houses and orangeries of this seat, con- 
 tained all the richest treasures of the exotic flora, and 
 among other excellent gardeners employed, was the distin- 
 guished botanist Pursh, whose enthusiastic taste in his favorite 
 science was promoted and aided by Mr. Hamilton. The 
 extensive pleasure grounds were judiciously planted singly 
 and in groups, with a great variety of the finest species of 
 trees. The attention of the visitor to this place is now arrest- 
 ed by two very large specimens of that curious tree, the 
 Japanese Ginko, {Salishiii^ia) 60 or 70 feet high, perhaps 
 the finest in Europe or America, by the noble magnolias, 
 and the rich park-like appearance of some of the plantations 
 of the finest native and foreign oaks. From the recent 
 unhealthiness of this portion of the Schuylkill, Woodlands 
 has fallen into decay, but there can be no question that it 
 was, for a long time, the most tasteful and beautiful residence 
 in America. 
 
 The seat of the late Judge Peters, about five miles from 
 Philadelphia, was, 30 years ago, a noted specimen of the 
 ancient school of landscape gardening. Its proprietor 
 had a most extended reputation as a scientific agricul- 
 turist, and his place was also no less remarkable for the 
 design and culture of its pleasure-grounds, than for the 
 excellence of its farm. Long and stately avenues, with 
 
32 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 vistas terminated by obelisks, a garden adorned with marble 
 vases, busts and statues, and pleasure grounds filled with 
 the rarest trees and shrubs, were conspicuous features here. 
 Some of the latter are now so remarkable as to attract 
 strongly the attention of the visitor. Among them, is the 
 chestnut planted by Washington, which produces the 
 largest and finest fruit ; very large hollies ; and a curious 
 old box tree much higher than the mansion near which 
 it stands. But the most striking feature now, is the still 
 remaining' grand old avenue of hemlocks, {Abies canaden- 
 sis.) Many of these trees, which were planted 100 years 
 ago, are now venerable specimens, ninety feet high, whose 
 huge trunks and wide spread branches, are in many cases 
 densely wreathed and draped with masses of English Ivy, 
 forming the most picturesque, sylvan objects we ever be- 
 held. 
 
 Lemon Hill, half a mile above the Fairmount water- 
 works of Philadelphia, was, 20 years ago, the most perfect 
 specimen of the geometric mode in America, and since its 
 destruction by the extension of the city, a few years since? 
 there is nothing comparable with it, in that style, among us. 
 All the symmetry, uniformity, and high art of the old 
 school, were displayed here in artificial plantations, formal 
 gardens with trellises, grottoes, spring-houses, temples,- 
 statues and vases, with numerous ponds of water, jets-d'eau 
 and other waterworks, parterres and an extensive range of 
 hothouses. The eifect of this garden was brilliant and 
 striking, its position, on the lovely banks of the Schuylkill, 
 admirable, and its liberal proprietor Mr. Pratt, by opening 
 it freely to the public, greatly increased the popular taste in 
 the neighbourhood of that city. 
 
 On the Hudson, the show place of the last age was the 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 33 
 
 Still interesting Clermont, then the residence of Chancellor 
 Livingston. Its level or gently undulating lawn, four or 
 five miles in length, the rich native woods, and the long 
 vistas of planted avenues, added to its fine water view, ren- 
 dered this a noble place. The mansion, the green-houses, 
 and the gardens, show something of the French taste in 
 design, which Mr. Livingston's residence abroad, at the time 
 when that mode was popular, no doubt, led him to adopt. 
 The finest yellow locusts in America are now standing in 
 the pleasure-grounds here, and the gardens contain many 
 specimens of fruit trees, the first of their sorts introduced 
 into the Union, 
 
 Waltham House, about nine miles from Boston, was, 25 
 years ago, one of the oldest and finest places, as regards 
 Landscape Gardening. Its owner, the late Hon. T. Lyman, 
 was a highly accomplished man, and thp grounds at Wal- 
 tham House bear witness to a refined and elegant taste in 
 rural improvement. A fine level park, a mile in length, en- 
 riched with groups of English limes, elms and oaks, and 
 rich masses of native wood, watered by a fine stream and 
 stocked with deer, were the leading features of the place at 
 that time; and this, and Woodlands, were the two best 
 specimens of the modern style, as Judge Peters' seat. Lemon 
 Hill, and Clermont, were of the ancient style, in the earliest 
 period of the history of Landscape Gardening among us. 
 
 There is no part of the Union where the taste in Land- 
 scape Gardening is so far advanced, as on the middle portion 
 of the Hudson. The natural scenery is of the finest cha- 
 racter, and places but a mile or two apart often possess, from 
 the constantly varying forms of the water, shores, and dis- 
 tant hills, widely diiferent kinds of home landscape and 
 distant view. Standing in the grounds of some of the 
 
 5 
 
34 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 finest of these seats, the eye beholds only the soft foreground 
 of smooth lawn, the rich groups of trees shutting out all 
 neighbouring tracts, the lake-like expanse of water, and, 
 closing the distance., a fine range of wooded mountain. 
 A residence here of but a hundred acres, so fortunately are 
 these disposed by nature, seems to appropriate the whole 
 scenery around, and to be a thousand in extent. 
 
 At the present time, our handsome villa residences are 
 becoming every day more numerous, and it would require 
 much more space than our present limits, to eraunerate all 
 the tasteful rural country places within our knowledge, 
 many of which have been newly laid out, or greatly im- 
 proved within a few years. But we consider it so im- 
 portant and instructive to the novice in the art of Landscape 
 Gardening to examine, personally, country seats of a highly 
 tasteful character, that we shall venture to refer the reader 
 to a few of those which have now a reputation among us as 
 elegant country residences. 
 
 Hyde Park, on the Hudson, formerly the seat of the late 
 Dr. Hosack, now of W. Langdon, Esq., has been justly 
 celebrated as one of the finest specimens of the modern 
 style of Landscape Gardening in America. Nature has, 
 indeed, done much for this place, as the grounds are finely 
 varied, beautifully watered by a lively stream, and the views 
 are inexpressibly striking from the neighbourhood of the 
 house itself, including, as they do, the noble Hudson for 
 sixty miles in its course, through rich valleys and bold 
 mountains. (See Fig. 1.) But the efforts of art are not 
 unworthy so rare a locality ; and while the native woods, 
 and beautifully undulating surface, are preserved in their 
 original state, the pleasure-grounds, roads, walks, drives, and 
 new plantations, have been laid out in such a judicious 
 
I' ig. 1. View in the Grounds at Hyde Park 
 
 Fig. 2. TLie I.IaL.or of Livingston. 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 35 
 
 manner as to heighten the charms of nature. Large and 
 costly hot-houses were erected by Dr. Hosack, with also 
 entrance lodges at two points on the estate, a fine bridge over 
 the stream, and niunerous pavilions and seats commanding 
 extensive prospects ; in short, nothing was spared to render 
 this a complete residence. The park, which at one time 
 contained some fine deer, afforded a delightful drive within 
 itself, as the whole estate numbered about seven hmidred 
 acres. The plans for laying out the grounds were fur- 
 nished by Parmentier, and architects from New- York were 
 employed in designing and erecting the buildings. For a 
 long time, this was the finest seat in America, but there are 
 now many rivals to this claim. 
 
 The Manor of Livingston, the seat of Mrs. Mary Liv- 
 ingston, is seven miles east of the city of Hudson. The 
 mansion stands in the midst of a fine park, rising gradually 
 from the level of a rich inland country, and commanding 
 prospects for sixty miles around. This park is, perhaps, 
 the most remarkable in America, for the noble simplicity of 
 its character, and the perfect order in which it is kept. 
 The turf is, every-where, short and velvet-like, the gravel- 
 roads scrupuloushr firm and smooth, and near the house 
 are the largest and most superb evergreens. The mansion 
 is one of the chastest specimens of the Grecian style, and 
 there is an air of great dignity and grace about the whole 
 demesne. (Fig. 2.) 
 
 Blithewood, the seat of R. Donaldson, Esq., near Barry- 
 town on the Hudson, is one of the most charming villa resi- 
 dences in the Union. The natiual scenery here, is nowhere 
 surpassed in its enchanting union of softness and dignity — 
 the river being four miles wide, its placid bosom broken only 
 by islands and gleaming sails, and the horizon grandly 
 closing in with the tall blue summits of the distant Kaats- 
 
36 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 kills. The smiling, gently varied lawn is studded with 
 groups and masses of fine forest and ornamental trees, be- 
 neath which are walks leading in easy curves to rustic 
 seats, and summer houses placed in secluded spots, or to 
 openings affording most lovely prospects. (See Frontis- 
 piece). In various situations near the house and upon the 
 lawn, sculptured vases of Maltese stone are also disposed in 
 such a manner as to give a refined and classic air to the 
 grounds. 
 
 As a pendant to this graceful landscape, there is within 
 the gromids scenery of an opposite character, equally wild 
 and picturesque — a fine, bold stream, fringed with woody 
 banks, and dashing over several rocky cascades, thirty or forty 
 feet in height, and falling, altogether, a hundred feet in half 
 a mile. (See view. Sect, viii.) There are also, within the 
 groimds, a pretty gardener's lodge, in the rural cottage style, 
 and a new entrance lodge by the gate, in the bracketted 
 mode ; in short, we can recall no place of moderate extent, 
 where nature, and tasteful art, are both so prodigal of beauty, 
 and so harmonious in effect. 
 
 Montgomery Place is directly south of Blithewood. It 
 is remarkable for its rich masses of wo(^, with dark and 
 shadowy walks of great length and variety, the interest of 
 which is heightened by numerous, tasteful rustic seats, 
 arbours, and root-houses. Near the house are a stately 
 Conservatory and flower-garden, and the views from the 
 lawn are rich and extensive. This place is the seat of Mrs. 
 Edward Livingston, and like the neighbouring one of J. R. 
 Livingston, Esq., abomids in magnificent single trees, 
 groups, masses, and rolling woods, disposed in the modern 
 style over an extensive rolling surface, having much the 
 air of an old European residence. 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 37 
 
 These places owe almost their entire beauty to nature, as 
 this wood is the native growth of the soil — ^just so much of 
 the natural foliage having been retained, as clothes the es- 
 tate with an ample garniture ; and much of the effect of the 
 finest park, carefully laid out and planted in the modern 
 style, is obtained, by judiciously managing the materials, of 
 which nature has here been so extremely prodigal. 
 
 The seat of Mr. Wadsworth, at Geneseo, is the first in 
 the interior of this state. The park is large, on a fine 
 sweeping outline of surface, and contains many oaks of 
 extraordinary size and beauty. The Genesee valley is, 
 itself, when seen at a distance, quite park-like, and for 
 natural, sylvan beauty, there is little in the country, sur- 
 passing portions of the grounds of this extensive estate. 
 
 Beaverwyck, a little north of Albany, on the opposite bank 
 of the river, is the seat of Wm. P. Van Rensselaer, Esq. 
 (Fig. 3.) The whole estate is ten or twelve miles square, in- 
 cluding the village of Bath on the river shore, and a large 
 farming district. The home residence embraces several hun- 
 dred acres, with a large level lawn, bordered by highly varied 
 surface of hill and dale. The mansion, one of the first 
 class, is newly erected from the plans of Mr. Diaper, and in 
 its interior — its hall with mosaic floor of polished woods, 
 its marble staircase, frescoed apartments, and spacious adjoin- 
 ing conservatory — is perhaps the most splendid in the Union. 
 The grounds are yet newly laid out, but with much judg- 
 ment ; and six or seven miles of winding, gravelled roads 
 and walks have been formed — their boundaries now leading 
 over level meadows, and now winding through woody dells. 
 The drives thus afforded, are almost unrivalled in extent and 
 variety, and give the stranger or guest, an opportunity of see- 
 ing the near, and distant views, to the best advantage. 
 
38 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 Dutchess county, bordering the Hudson, abounds with 
 many beautiful seats. Near Rhinebeck are Mr. James's and 
 Mr. Emmet's, charmingly located, with much simple beauty 
 of lawn and trees ; and Mr. Kelly's, remarkable for the rich 
 park-like view from the terrace, in front of the house. Near 
 NeAV-Hambm-gh, the seats of Mr. Sheafe and Mr. Lenox, 
 evince high keeping, and tasteful culture. 
 
 At Tarrytown, is the cottage residence of Washington 
 Irving, which is, in location and accessories, almost the beau 
 ideal of a cottage-ornee. The charming manner in which 
 the wild foot-paths, in the neighborhood of this cottage, are 
 conducted among the picturesque dells and banks, is pre- 
 cisely what one would look for here. A little below, Mr. 
 Sheldon's cottage, with its pretty lawn and its charming 
 brook, — is one of the best specimens of this kind of resi- 
 dence on the river. At Hastings, four or five miles south, 
 is the agreeable seat of Judge Constant. 
 
 About twelve miles from New- York, on the Somid, is 
 Huntefs Island, the seat of John Hunter, Esq., a place of 
 much simplicity and dignity of character. The whole island, 
 may be considered an extensive park, carpeted with soft 
 lawn, and studded with noble trees. The mansion is sim- 
 ple in its exterior, but, internally, is filled with rich treasures 
 of art. The seat of James Munroe, Esq., on the East river 
 in this neighbourhood, abounds with beautiful trees, and 
 many other features of interest. 
 
 The Cottage residence of William H. Aspinwall, Esq.,* 
 on Staten Island, is a highly picturesque specimen of 
 Landscape Gardening. The house is in the English cot- 
 tage style, and from its open lawn in front, the eye takes 
 in a wide view of the ocean, the Narrows, and the blue 
 hills of Neversink. In the rear of the cottage, the sur- 
 
-liTIiii ' iin iil ni 
 
 Fig. 3 Beavex-n^yck. the Seat of Wm P. Van Rensselaer, Esq. 
 
 Fig. 4 Cottage Residence of Wm. H, Asxjinvrall, Esq. 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 39 
 
 face is much broken and varied, and finely wooded and 
 planted. In improving this picturesque site, a nice sense 
 of the charm of natural expression has been evinced ; 
 and the sudden variations from smooth open surface, to 
 wild, w^ooded banks, with rocky, moss-covered flights of 
 steps, strike the stranger, equally with surprise and delight. 
 A charming greenhouse, a knotted flower garden, and a 
 pretty, rustic moss-house, are among the interesting points 
 of this spirited place. (See Fig. 4). 
 
 In Connecticut, Monte Video, the seat of Daniel Wads- 
 worth, Esq., near Hartford, is worthy of commendation, as 
 it evinces a good deal of beauty in its grounds, and is one 
 of the most tasteful in the state. The residence of James 
 HilDiouse, Esq., near New-Haven, is a pleasing specimen 
 of the simplest kind of Landscape Gardening, where grace- 
 ful forms of trees, and a gently sloping surface of grass, 
 are the principal features. The villa of Mr. Whitney, near 
 New-Haven, is one of the most tastefully managed in the 
 state. In Maine, the most remarkable seat, as respects 
 landscape gardening and architecture, is that of Mr. Gar- 
 diner, of Gardiner. 
 
 The environs of Boston, are more highly cultivated than 
 those of any other city in North America. There are here, 
 whole rural neighborhoods of pretty cottages and villas, 
 admirably cultivated, and, in many cases, tastefully laid out 
 and planted. The character of even the finest of these 
 places, is, perhaps, somewhat suburban, as compared with 
 those of the Hudson river, but we regard them as furnish- 
 ing admirable hints for a class of residence likely to become 
 more numerous than any other in this country — the taste- 
 ful, suburban cottage. The owner of a small cottage resi- 
 dence, may have almost every kind of beauty and enjoyment 
 
40 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 in his groimds, that the largest estate will aftbrd, so far 
 as regards the interest of trees and plants, tasteful arrange- 
 ment, recreation, and occupation. Indeed, we have little 
 doubt that he, who directs, personally, the curve of every 
 walk, selects and plants every shrub and tree, and watches 
 with solicitude every evidence of beauty and progress, 
 succeeds in extracting from his tasteful grounds of half a 
 dozen acres, a more intense degree of pleasure, than one 
 who is only able to direct and enjoy, in a general sense, the 
 arrangement of a vast estate. 
 
 Belmont, the seat of J. P. Gushing, Esq., is a residence 
 of more note than any other near Boston; but this is, 
 chiefly, on account of the extensive ranges of glass, the 
 forced fruits, and the high culture of the gardens. A new 
 and spacious mansion has recently been erected here, and 
 the pleasure-grounds are agreeably varied with fine groups 
 and masses of trees and shrubs on a pleasing lawn. (Fig. 5.) 
 
 The seat of Col. Perkins, at Brookline, is one of the 
 most interesting in this neighbourhood. The very beautiful 
 lawn here, abounds with exquisite trees, finely disposed ; 
 among them, some larches and Norvvay firs, with many other 
 rare trees of uncommon beauty of form. At a short dis- 
 tance is the villa residence of Theodore Lyman, Esq., re- 
 markable for the unusually fine avenue of Elms leading to 
 the house, and for the beautiful architectural taste displayed 
 in the dwelling itself. The seat of the Hon. John Lowell, 
 at Roxbury, possesses also, many interesting gardening 
 features.* 
 
 * We Americans are, proverbially impatient of delay, and a few years in 
 prospect, appears an endless futurity. So much is this the feeling with many, 
 that we verily believe there are hundreds of our country places, wliich owe 
 their bareness and destitution of foliage to the idea, so common, that it requires 
 "an age" for forest trees to " grow up." 
 
 The middle aged man, hesitates about the good of planting what he imagines, 
 
Fig. 5. Belmont Place, near Boston, the Seat of J. P^Cusbing, Esq. 
 
 FiH, ij. 'vicwin the Grounds at Pits Bank. 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 41 
 
 Pine Bank, the Perkins estate, on the border of Jamaica 
 lake, is one of the most beautiful residences near Boston. 
 The natural surface of the ground is exceedingly flowing 
 and graceful, and it is varied by two or three singular little 
 dimples, or hollows, which add to its eflect. Luxuri- 
 ant specimens of the white pine abound, so as to give a 
 name to the place, Avhich is otherwise charmingly planted 
 and grown. The perfect order of the gromids ; the beauty 
 of the walks, sometimes skirting the smooth open lawn, en- 
 riched with rare plants and shrubs, and then winding by 
 the shadowy banks of the water ; the soft and quiet cha- 
 racter of the lake itself, — its margin richly fringed with 
 trees, which conceal here and there a pretty cottage, its firm 
 clean beach of gravel, and its water of crystal purity ; all 
 these features make this place a little gem of natural and 
 artistical harmony, and beauty. (Fig. 6.) 
 
 On the other side of the lake is the cottage of Thomas 
 Lee, Esq. Enthusiastically fond of botany, and gardening 
 in all its departments, Mr. Lee has here formed a residence of 
 
 he shall never see arriving at maturity, and even many who are younger, 
 conceive that it requires more than an ordinary lifetime, to rear a fine wood of 
 planted trees. About two years since, we had the pleasure of visiting the seat 
 of the late Mr. Lowell, whom we found in a green old age, still enjoying, with 
 the enthusiasm of youth, the pleasures of Horticulture and a country life. For 
 the encouragement of those, who are ever complaining of the tardy pace with which 
 the growth of trees advances, we will here record that we accompanied Mr. L. 
 through a belt of fine woods (skirting part of his residence,) nearly half a mile in 
 length, consisting of almost all our finer hardy tree.s, many of them apparently 
 full grown, the whole of wliich had been planted by him when he was thirty-two 
 years old. At that time, a solitary elm, or two were almost the only trees upon 
 his estate. We can hardly conceive a more rational source of pride or enjoyment, 
 than to be able thus to walk, in the decline of years, beneath the shadow of um- 
 brageous woods and groves, planted by our own hands, and whose growth has 
 become almost identified with our own progress and existence. 
 
 6 
 
42 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 as much variety and interest as we ever saw in so moderate 
 a compass — about 20 acres. It is, indeed, not only a most 
 instructive place to the amateur of landscape gardening, but 
 to the naturalist and lover of plants. Every shrub seems 
 placed precisely in the soil and aspect it likes best, and 
 native and foreign Rhododendrons, Kalmias, and other rare 
 shrubs, are seen here in the finest condition. There is a 
 great deal of variety in the surface here, and while the lawn- 
 front of the house has a polished and graceful air, one or 
 two other portions are quite picturesque. Near the entrance 
 gate is an English oak, only fourteen years planted, now 
 forty feet high. 
 
 The whole of this neighbourhood of Brookline is a kind 
 of landscape garden, and there is nothing in America, of the 
 sort, so inexpressibly charming as the lanes which lead 
 from one cottage, or villa, to another. No animals are 
 allowed to run at large, and the open gates, with tempting 
 vistas and glimpses under the pendant boughs, give it quite 
 an Arcadian air of rural freedom and enjoyment. These 
 lanes are clothed with a profusion of trees and wild shrub- 
 bery, often almost to the carriage tracks, and curve and wind 
 about, in a mamier quite bewildermg to the stranger who 
 attempts to thread them alone ; and there are more hints 
 here for the lover of the picturesque in lanes, than we ever 
 saw assembled together in so small a compass. 
 
 In the environs of New-Bedford are many beautiful 
 residences. Among these, we desire particularly to notice 
 the residence of James Arnold, Esq. There is scarcely a 
 place in New-England, where the -pleasure-grounds are so 
 artistically laid out, so full of variety, and in such perfect 
 order and keeping, as at this charming spot ; and its winding 
 walks, open bits of lawn, shrubs and plants grouped on turf, 
 
~^ i5*?^l:^^fc=^ 
 
 Fig. 7. View in the Grounds of James Arnold, Esq New-Bedford. 
 
 Fig 8 M'r Dunns Cottaqe, Mount Hollv, N J 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 43 
 
 shady bowers, and rustic seats, all most agreeably combined, 
 render this a very interesting and instructive suburban seat. 
 
 In New- Jersey, the grounds of the Count de Survilliers, 
 at Bordentown, are very extensive ; and although the surface 
 is mostly flat, it has been well varied by extensive plan- 
 tations. At Momit Holly, about twenty miles from Camden, 
 is Mr. Dunn's unique, semi-oriental cottage, with a con- 
 siderable extent of pleasure ground, newly planted, after the 
 designs of Mr. Notman. (Fig. 8.) 
 
 About Philadelphia there are several very interesting seats 
 on the banks of the Delaware, and Schuylkill, and the 
 district between these two rivers. 
 
 The country seat of Geo. iSheaff, Esq., one of the most 
 remarkable in Pennsylvania, in many respects, is twelve 
 miles north of Philadelphia. The house is a large and 
 respectable mansion of stone, surromided by pleasure-grounds 
 and plantations of fine evergreen and deciduous trees. The 
 conspicuous ornament of the grounds, however, is a mag- 
 nificent white oak, of enormous size, whose wide stretching 
 branches, and grand head, give an air of dignity to the whole 
 place. (Fig. 9.) Among the sylvan features here, most in- 
 teresting, are also the handsome evergreens, chiefly Balsam 
 or Balm of Gilead firs, some of which are now much 
 higher than the mansion. These trees were planted by Mr. 
 Sheaff twenty-two years ago, and were then so small, that they 
 were brought by him from Philadelphia, at various times, in 
 his carriage — a circumstance highly encouraging to despair- 
 ing planters, when we reflect how comparatively slow grow- 
 ing is this tree. This whole estate is a striking example of 
 science, skill and taste, applied to a country seat, and there are 
 few in the Union, taken as a whole, superiour to it.* 
 
 * The farm is 300 acres in extent, and, in the time of De Witt Clinton, was pro- 
 nounced by him the model farm of the United States. At the present time we 
 
44 LANDSCAPE GARDENING, 
 
 Cottage residence of Mrs. Camac. This is one of the 
 most agreeable places, within a few miles of Philadelphia. 
 The house is a picturesque cottage, in the rural gothic style, 
 with very charming and appropriate pleasure grounds, com- 
 prising many groups and masses of large and finely grown 
 trees, interspersed with a handsome collection of shrubs and 
 plants ; the whole very tastefully arranged. (Fig. 10.) The 
 lawn is prettily varied in surface, and there is a conservatory 
 attached to the house, in which the plants in pots are 
 hidden in beds of soft green moss, and which, in its whole 
 effect and management, is more tasteful and elegant than 
 any plant house, comiected with a dwelling, that we re- 
 member to have seen. 
 
 Stenton, near Germantown, four miles from Philadelphia 
 is a fine old place, with many picturesque features. The 
 farm consists of 700 acres, almost without division fences — 
 admirably managed — and remarkable for its grand old 
 avenue of the hemlock spruce, 110 years old, leading to a 
 family cemetery, of much sylvan beauty. There is a large, 
 and excellent old mansion, with paved hall, built in 1731, 
 which is preserved in its original condition. This place was 
 the seat of the celebrated Logan, the friend of William Penn, 
 and is now owned by his descendant, Albanus Logan. 
 
 know nothing superior to it, and Capt. Barclay, in his agricultural tour, says it was 
 the only instance of regular, scientific system of husbandry in the English man- 
 ner, he saw in America. Indeed, the large, and regular fields, filled with luxuriant 
 crops, every where of an exact evenness of growth, and every where free from 
 ■weeds of any sort ; the perfect system of manuring and culture ; the simple and 
 complete fences ; the fine stock ; the very spacious bams, every season newly 
 whitewashed internally and externally, paved with wood, and as clean as a 
 gentleman's stable, (with stalls to fatten 90 head of cattle;) these, and the 
 masterly way in which the whole is managed, both as regards culture and profit, 
 render this estate one of no common interest in an agricultural, as well as ornamental 
 point of view. 
 
Y\" 9. The Seat of Geo. SheafF, lisq. 
 
 Fig. 10 Mrs. Camac's Residence. 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 45 
 
 The villa residence of Alexander Brown, Esq., is situated 
 on the Delaware, a few miles above Philadelphia. There 
 is here, a good deal of beauty in the natural style, made up 
 chiefly by lawn and forest trees. A pleasing drive through 
 plantations of 25 years growth, is one of the most interest- 
 ing features— and there is much elegance and high keeping 
 in the grounds. 
 
 Below Philadelphia, the lover of beautiful places will 
 find a good deal to admire in the country seat of John R. 
 Latimer, Esq., near Wilmington, which enjoys the reputa- 
 tion of being the finest in Delaware. This place has all 
 the advantages of high keeping, richly stocked gardens and 
 conservatories, and much natural beauty, heightened by 
 judicious planting, arrangement and culture. 
 
 At the south are many extensive country residences re- 
 markable for trees of unusual grandeur and beauty, among 
 which the live oak is very conspicuous ; but they are, in gene- 
 Tal, wanting in that high keeping and care, which is so 
 essential to the charm of a landscape garden. 
 
 Of smaller villa residences, suburban chiefly, there are 
 great numbers, springing up almost by magic, in the borders 
 of our towns and cities. Though the possessors of these can 
 scarcely hope to introduce any thing approaching to a land- 
 scape garden style, in laying out their limited gromids, still 
 they may be greatly benefited by an acquaintance with the 
 beauties, and the pleasures, of this species of rural embellish- 
 ment. When we are once master of the principles, and aware 
 of the capabilities of an art, we are able to infuse an expression 
 of tasteful design, or an air of more correct elegance, even 
 into the most humble works, and with very limited means. 
 
 While we shall endeavour, in the following pages, to give 
 such a view of modern Landscape Gardening, as will enable 
 
46 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 the improver to proceed with his fascinating operations, in 
 embellishing the comitry residence, in a practical mode, based 
 upon what are now generally received as the correct princi- 
 ples of the art, we would desire the novice, after making him- 
 self acquainted with all that can be acquired from written 
 works within his reach, to strengthen his taste and add to his 
 knowledge, by a practical inspection of the best country seats 
 among us. In an infant state of society, in regard to the fine 
 arts, much will be done in violation of good taste ; but here 
 where nature has done so much for us, there is scarcely a 
 large country residence in the Union, from which useful hints 
 in Landscape Gardening may not be taken. And in nature, 
 a group of trees, an accidental pond of water, or some equally 
 simple object, may form a study more convincing to the mind 
 of a true admirer of natural beauty, than the most carefully 
 drawn plan, or the most elaborately written description. 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 
 
 47 
 
 SECTION II. 
 
 BEAUTIES AND PRINCIPLES OF THE ART. 
 
 Capacities of tlie art. The beauties of the ancient stj'lc. The modern style. General 
 beauty, and Picturesque beauty : their distinctive characteristics. Illustrations drawn from 
 Nature and Painting. Nature and principles of Landscape Gardening as an Imitative art. 
 The Graceful school. The Picturesque school. Simple beauty of the art. The principles 
 of Unity, Harmony, and Variety. 
 
 " Here Nature in her unaffected dresse, 
 Plaited with vallies and imbost with hills, 
 Enchast with silver streams, and fringed with woods, 
 
 Sits lovely." 
 
 Chamberlayne. 
 
 " II est des soins plus doux, un art plus enchanteur. 
 C'est peu de charmer I'ceil, il faut parler au coeur. 
 Avez-vous done connu ces rapports invisibles, 
 Des eorps inanimes et des etres sensibles ? 
 Avez-vous entendu des eaux, des pres, des bois. 
 La muette eloquence et la secrete voix ? 
 Rendez-nous ces effets." Les Jardiiis, Book I. 
 
 E F O R E we proceed to a detailed, and more 
 practical consideration of the subject, let us oc- 
 cupy ourselves for a moment with the con- 
 sideration of the different results which are 
 to be sought after, or, in other words, what 
 ss^ kinds of beauty we may hope to produce by 
 Landscape Gardening. To attempt the smallest Avork in any 
 art, without knowing either the capacities of that art, or the 
 
48 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 schools, or modes, by which it has previously been character- 
 ized, is but to be groping about in a dim twilight, without 
 the power of knowing, even should we be successful in our 
 efforts, the real excellence of our production ; or of judging its 
 merit, comparatively, as a work of taste and imagination. 
 
 [Fig. 11.] The Geometric style, from an old print. 
 
 The beauties elicited by the ancient style of gar- 
 dening were those of regularity, symmetry, and the display 
 of laboured art. These were attained in a merely me- 
 chanical manner, and usually involved little or no theory. 
 The geometrical form and lines of the buildings, were only 
 extended and carried out, in the garden. In the best 
 classical models, the art of the sculptor conferred dignity 
 and elegance on the garden, by the fine forms of marble 
 vases, and statues ; in the more intricate and laboured 
 specimens of the Dutch school, prevalent in England in the 
 time of William IV., (Fig. U,) the results evince a fertility of 
 
BEAUTIES AND PRINCIPLES OF THE ART. 49 
 
 odd conceits, rather than the exercise of taste or imagination ; 
 and to level ground naturally uneven, or to make an 
 avenue, by planting rows of trees on each side of a broad 
 walk, requires only the simplest perception of the beauty of 
 mathematical forms. In short, to lay out a garden in the 
 geometric style, was little more than a formal routine, and it 
 was only after the superiour interest of a more natural man- 
 ner was enforced by men of genius, that beauty of expres- 
 sion was recognized, and Landscape Gardening was raised 
 to the rank of a fine art. 
 
 The ancient style of gardening may, however, be intro- 
 duced with good eifect in certain cases. In public squares 
 and gardens, where display, grandeur of effect, and a highly 
 artificial character are desirable, it appears to us the most 
 suitable ; and no less so in very small gardens, in which 
 variety and irregularity is out of the question. Where a taste 
 for imitating an old and quaint style of residence exists, the 
 symmetrical, and knotted garden, would be a proper 
 accompaniment ; and pleached alleys, and sheared trees, 
 would be admired, like old armour, as curious specimens of 
 antique taste and custom. 
 
 The earliest professors of modern Landscape Gardening, 
 have generally agreed upon two species of beauty, of which 
 the art is capable — variations no less certainly distinct, on 
 the one hand, than they are capable of intermingling and 
 combining, on the other. These are general^ and picturesque 
 beauty : or, to speak more definitely, the beauty characterized 
 by simple and flowing forms, and the expressed by striking, 
 irregular, spirited forms. 
 
 The admirer of nature, as well as the lover of pictures and 
 engravings, will at once call to mind examples of scenery 
 distinctly expressive of each of these kinds of beauty. In 
 
 7 
 
50 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 nature, perhaps some gently undulating plain covered with 
 emerald turf, partially or entirely encompassed by rich, roll- 
 ing outlines of forest canopy, — its widest expanse here broken 
 occasionally by noble groups of round-headed trees, or there 
 interspersed with single specimens whose trunks support 
 heads of foliage flowing in outline, or drooping in masses to 
 the very turf beneath them. In such a scene we often be- 
 hold the azure of heaven, and its silvery clouds, as well as 
 the deep verdure of the luxuriant and shadowy branches, re- 
 fl.ected in the placid bosom of a sylvan lake ; the shores of 
 the latter swelling out, and receding, in gently curved 
 lines ; the banlfs, sometimes covered with soft turf sprinkled 
 with flowers, and in other portions clothed with luxmiant 
 masses of verdant shrubs. Here are all the elements of what 
 is termed natural beauty, — or a landscape characterized by 
 simple, easy, and flowing lines. 
 
 For an example of the opposite character, let us take a stroll 
 to the nearest woody glen in your neighbourhood — perhaps 
 a romantic valley, half shut m on two or more sides by steep 
 rocky banks, partially concealed and overhung by clustering 
 vines, and tangled thickets of deep foliage. Against the sky 
 outline breaks the wild and irregular form of some old, half 
 decayed tree near by, or the horizontal and unique branches 
 of the larch or the pine, with their strongly marked forms. 
 Rough and irregular stems and trunks, rocks half covered 
 with mosses and flowering plants, open glades of bright ver- 
 dure opposed to dark masses of bold shadowy foliage, form 
 prominent objects in the foreground. If water enlivens the 
 scene, we shall hear the murmur of the noisy brook, or the 
 cool dashing of the cascade, as it leaps over the rocky barrier. 
 Let the stream turn the ancient and Avell worn wheel of the 
 old mill in the middle ground, and we shall have an illus- 
 
BEAUTIES AND PRINCIPLES OP THE ART. 51. 
 
 tration of picturesque beauty, not the less striking from its 
 familiarity to every one. 
 
 To the lover of the fine arts, the name of Claude Lor- 
 raine cannot fail to suggest examples of beauty in its purest 
 and most elegant forms. In the inimitable pictures of this 
 great master, we see portrayed all those graceful and flowing 
 forms, and all that finely accordant colouring, which delight 
 so much the mind of refilled taste and sensibility — composi- 
 tions emanating from a beautifully harmonious soul, and 
 inspired by a climate, and a richness of nature and art, 
 nowhere surpassed. 
 
 On the other hand, where shall we find all the elements of 
 the picturesque, more graphically combined, than in the vigo- 
 rous landscapes of Salvator Rosa ! In those rugged scenes, 
 even the lawless aspects of his favourite robbers and ban- 
 ditti, are not more spirited than the bold rocks and wild 
 passes by which they are surrounded. And in the produc- 
 tions of his pencil, we see the influence of a romantic and 
 vigorous imagination, nursed amid scenes teeming with the 
 grand as well as the picturesque — both of which he em- 
 bodied in the most striking manner. 
 
 In giving these illustrations of general, and of pictu- 
 resque beauty, we have not intended them to be understood 
 in the light of exact models for imitation in Landscape Gar- 
 dening — only as striking examples of expression in natural 
 scenery. Although in nature many landscapes partake in 
 a certain degree of both these kinds of beauty, yet it is no 
 doubt true that the effect is more satisfactory, where either 
 the one or the other character predominates. The accom- 
 plished amateur, should be able to seize at once upon the 
 characteristics of these two species of beauty in all scenery. 
 To assist the reader in this kind of discrimination, we shall 
 
52 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 keep these expressions constantly in view, and we hope we 
 shall be able fully to illustrate the difference in the expression 
 of even single trees, in this respect. A few strongly marked 
 objects, either picturesque, or simply beautiful, will often 
 confer their character upon a whole landscape ; as the de- 
 struction of a single group of bold rocks, covered with wood, 
 may render a scene, once picturesque, completely insipid. 
 
 The early writers on the modern style were content with 
 trees allowed to grow in their natural forms, and with an 
 easy assemblage of sylvan scenery in the pleasure-grounds, 
 which resembled the usual woodland features of nature. 
 The effect of this method will always be interesting, and an 
 agreeable effect will ever be the result of following the 
 simplest hints derived from the free and luxuriant forms of 
 nature. No residence in the country can fail to be pleasing, 
 whose features are natural groups of forest trees, smooth 
 lawn, and hard gravel walks. 
 
 But this is scarcely Landscape Gardening in the true sense 
 of the word, although apparently so understood by many 
 writers. By Landscape Gardening, we miderstand not only 
 an imitation, in the grounds of a country residence, of the 
 general forms of nature, but an expressive^ harmonious^ and 
 refined imitation* In Landscape Gardening, we should aim 
 
 * "Thus, there is a beauty of nature and a beauty of art. To copy the 
 beauty of nature cannot be called being an artist in the highest sense of the word, 
 as a mechanical talent only is requisite for this. The beautiful in art depends 
 on ideas, and the true artist, therefore, must possess, together with the talent 
 for technical execution, that genial power which revels freely in rich forms, and 
 is capable of producing and animating them. It is by this, that the merit of the 
 artist and his production is to be judged; and these cannot be properly esti- 
 mated among those barren copyists which we find so many of our flower, land- 
 scape, and portrait painters to be. But the artist stands much higher in the 
 scale, who, though a copyist of visible nature, is capable of seizing it with poetic 
 feeling, and representing it in its more dignified sense ; such for example as 
 Raphael, Poussin, Claude, &c." — Weinbreuner. 
 
BEAUTIES AND PRINCIPLES OF THE ART. 53 
 
 to separate the accidental, and extraneous in nature, and to 
 preserve only the spirit, or essence. This subtle essence lies, 
 we believe, in the expression, more or less pervading every 
 attractive portion of nature. And it is by eliciting, preser- 
 ving, or heightening this expression, that we may give our 
 landscape gardens a higher charm, than even all the polish 
 of art can bestow. 
 
 Now the two expressions in nature most suitable for 
 imitation, lie in Beauty's flowing, graceful outlines ; and in 
 the irregular, spirited forms of the Picturesque. The 
 Sublime, and the Grand, characters that abound in nature, 
 scarcely come within the limits of artificial imitation — 
 certainly not in the extent of most places in America. 
 
 On the other hand, the graceful, and the picTUREsauE, 
 are characters abounding even in small portions of nature. 
 In the grounds of a country residence, the force of these 
 expressions may often be greatly increased. Frequently a 
 group of trees, a rounded, or an abrupt knoll, situated 
 prominently, will give a hint for all future improvement. 
 
 If we choose a bit of scenery naturally flowing and 
 beautiful in its outlines, we heighten that expression by the 
 refinements of care and culture ; by our smoothly mown 
 lawns, curved walks, rich groups of flowermg shrubs and 
 trees. If we fall upon a picturesque locality, we may add 
 to its charm, both by the removal of every thing inharmo- 
 nious or out of keeping, and by winding the walks, select- 
 ing and planting the shrubs and trees, adapting the style 
 of the buildings, and, in short, conducting all our improve- 
 ments, with an eye to picturesque expression. 
 
 There is no surface of ground, however bare, which has 
 not, naturally, more or less tendency to one or the other of 
 these expressions. And the improver who detects the true 
 
64 LANDSCAPE GARDENING, 
 
 character, and plants, builds, and embellishes, as he should — 
 constantly aiming to elicit and strengthen it — will soon 
 arrive at a far higher and more satisfactory result, than one, 
 who, in the common manner, works at random. The latter 
 may succeed in producing pleasing grounds— he will un- 
 doubtedly add to the general beauty and tasteful appearance 
 of the country, and we gladly accord him our thanks. But 
 the improver who unites with pleasing forms, an expression 
 of sentiment, will affect not only the common eye, but, much 
 more powerfully, the imagination, and the refined and deli- 
 cate taste. 
 
 Expression being the master key to the heart, in all land- 
 scapes, it follows that the highest imitative sphere of the art 
 of Landscape Gardening, consists in arranging the materials 
 so as to awaken emotions of grace, elegance, or picturesque- 
 ness, joined with unity, harmony, and variety, more distinct 
 and forcible, than are suggested by natural scenery. This 
 may, at first sight, seem difficult, to the mere lover of nature ; 
 but a moment's thought will convince him, that the very 
 fact of art and man's habitation being contrasted, as it is 
 in a Landscape Garden, with a natural expression, will at 
 once heighten the force of the latter. The sunny, peaceful 
 lake is less smiling, and the impetuous mountain cascade less 
 stirring, when we cross them in a wild journey, than Avhen 
 they open upon us, unlooked for, in the luxuriant grounds 
 of a well kept, rural home. 
 
 With these views regarding expression in natural scene- 
 ry, we shall divide the modern style of Landscape Garden- 
 ing into two kinds, fomided on the two leading expressions 
 to be imitated, viz : the graceful and the picturesque ; 
 and, these two divisions having each their especial admirers, 
 we shall distinguish them as the Graceful, and the Pictu- 
 
I'ig. 12 Landscape Gardening, in the Graceful Schocl. 
 
 F'ig 13. Landscape G^dening, in the Picturesque School. 
 
BEAUTIES AND PRINCIPLES OF THE ART. 55 
 
 lesqiie schools of the art.* We have already suggested that 
 almost all our comitiy places have, naturally, one or the 
 other of these characters ; and the unity and harmony — in 
 short, the whole beauty and success of improvements, will 
 depend on our feeling and understanding those character- 
 istics before we commence exercising our taste. The fore- 
 going hints on expression in wild landscape, will perhaps 
 assist our readers in reading nature's physiognomy. Let 
 lis now examine, a little, the character of the two schools 
 founded on these expressions. 
 
 The graceful school of Landscape Gardening, (Fig. 
 12,) aims at the production of outlines whose curves are 
 expressive of grace, surfaces of softness, and growth of 
 richness £md luxuriance. In the shape of the ground, it 
 is evinced by easy undulations, melting gradually into each 
 other. In the form of trees, by smooth stems, full, round 
 or symmetrical heads of foliage, and luxuriant branches, 
 
 * Taking Landscape Gardening, as we do in this country, on new starting ground, 
 we consider ourselves fairly at liberty to define, and clear up, the confused and 
 cloudy views of the end or aim of imitation, pervading most European authors 
 on this subject. Price, whose work on the Picturesque (see late edition of 
 Sir T. Lauder,) is most full and complete, we consider the master, and able 
 exponent of the Picturesque school. Repton, who advocates in his works a 
 more polished and cultivated style, (see Loudon's edition of Repton,) we hold to 
 be the first authority in the Graceful School. Mr. Loudon's Gardenesque style, 
 is but another word for what we term the Graceful school ; except that we con- 
 sider the latter exemplified in all flowing, luxuriantly developed forms ; while 
 Mr. Loudon, who prefers mere artistical beauty to that of expression, properly limits 
 the gardenesque to artificial planting only. The distinction between the picturesque, 
 and the beautiful, is perhaps open to some difference of opinion, and all Land- 
 scape Gardening aims at the production of the beautiful. But in the graceful out- 
 lines of highly cultivated forms of trees, and beautiful cur^-es of surface and walks, 
 in highly polished scenes, lies so different a kind of beauty from that of the irregu- 
 lar ground, trees, etc., of picturesque landscape, that we conceive the two terms 
 will be found, at least for the moderate scale of the art with us, at once precise 
 and significant 
 
56 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 often drooping to the ground, — which is chiefly attained by 
 planting and grouping, to allow free development of form ; 
 and by selecting trees of suitable character, as the elm, the 
 ash, and the like. In walks and roads, by easy flowing 
 curves, following natural shapes of the surface, with no 
 sharp angles or abrupt turns. In water, by the smooth lake 
 with curved margin, embellished with flowing groups of 
 trees, and full masses of flowering shrubs — or in the easy 
 winding curves of a brook. The keeping of such a scene 
 should be of the most polished kind, — grass mown into a 
 softness like velvet, gravel walks scrupulously firm, dry, 
 and clean, and the most perfect order and neatness, should 
 reign throughout. Among the trees and shrubs, should be 
 conspicuous the finest foreign sorts, distinguished by beauty 
 of form, foliage, and blossom ; and rich groups of shrubs, 
 and flowering plants, should be arranged in the more dressed 
 portions near the house. And finally, considering the 
 house itself as a feature in the scene, it should, properly, 
 belong to one of the classical modes — the Italian, Tuscan, 
 or Yenetian forms are preferable, because these have a 
 domestic air, and readily admit of the graceful accompani- 
 ments of vases, urns, and other harmonious accessories. 
 Or, if we are to have a plainer dwelling, it should be sim- 
 ple in its character, and its veranda may be festooned 
 with masses of the finest climbers. 
 
 The PicTUREsauE School of Landscape Gardening, Fig. 
 13, aims at the production of outlines of a certain spirited 
 irregularity ; surfaces, comparatively abrupt and broken ; 
 and growth, of a somewhat wild and bold character. The 
 shape of the ground sought after, has its occasional smooth- 
 ness varied by sudden variations, and, in parts, runs into 
 dingles, rocky groups, and broken banks. The trees, should. 
 
BEAUTIES AND PRINCIPLES OF THE ART. 57 
 
 in many places, be old and irregular, with rough stems, 
 and bark ; and pines, larches, and other trees of striking, 
 irregular growth, must appear, in numbers sufficient to give 
 character to the woody outlines. As, in the Graceful school 
 the trees are planted singly, in open groups, to allow full 
 expansion, so in the Picturesque school, the grouping takes 
 every variety of form ; every object should group with 
 another ; trees and shrubs are often planted closely together ; 
 and intricacy, and variety — thickets — glades — and under- 
 wood — as in wild nature, are all indispensable. Walks and 
 roads are more abrupt in their windings, turning off fre- 
 quently at sudden angles, where the form of the ground, or 
 some inviting object, directs. In water, all the wildness of 
 romantic spots in nature, is to be imitated or preserved ; and 
 the lake or stream with bold shore, and rocky, wood-fringed 
 margin, or the cascade in the secluded dell, are the character- 
 istic forms. The keeping of such a landscape will, of course, 
 be less careful than in the graceful school. Firm gravel 
 walks near the house, and a general air of neatness in that 
 quarter, are indispensable to the fitness of the scene in all 
 modes, and, indeed properly evince the recognition of art 
 in all Landscape Gardening. But the lawn may be less fre- 
 quently mown, the edges of the walks less carefully trimmed, 
 in the picturesque mode. While in portions more removed 
 from the house, the walks may sometimes sink into a mere 
 footpath without gravel, and the lawn change into the forest 
 glade or meadow. The architecture of the Picturesque 
 school, is the Gothic mansion and old English cottage, or the 
 Swiss, or some other bracketted form, with bold projection, 
 deep shadows, and irregular outlines. Rustic baskets, and 
 similar ornaments, may abound near the house, and in the 
 more frequented parts of the place. 
 
58 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 The recognition of art, as Loudon justly observes, is a 
 first principle in Landscape Gardening, as in all other arts ; 
 and those of its professors have erred, who supposed that 
 the object of this art is, merely, to produce a fac-simile of 
 nature, that could not be distinguished from a wild scene. 
 But we contend that this principle may be equally attained 
 in either school — the picturesque cottage being as much a 
 work of art, as the classic villa ; its baskets, and seats of 
 rustic work, indicating the hand of man, as well as the 
 marble vase, and balustrade ; and a walk, sometimes narrow 
 and crooked, is as quickly recognized as man's work, as one 
 always regular and flowing. Foreign trees, of picturesque 
 growth, are as readily obtained, as those of graceful forms. 
 The recognition of art is, therefore, always apparent in both 
 modes. The evidences are indeed stronger, and more multi- 
 plied, in the careful polish of the Graceful school ; and 
 looking at the effects, with this principle mainly in view, as 
 many persons will, whose only standard is cost and expense, 
 this school must be acknowledged the most beautiful and 
 perfect.* But, assuming the principle of beauty of expres- 
 sion to be the higher, many imaginative persons will prefer 
 the picturesque school, as affecting the mind with much of 
 the peculiar beauty of wild nature, combined with the ad- 
 
 * The heau ideal in Landscape Gardening, as a fine art, appears to us, to be em- 
 braced in the creation of scenery expressive of a peculiar kind of beauty, as 
 the graceful, or picturesque, the materials of which are, to a certain extent, 
 different from those in wild nature, being composed of the floral and arboricul- 
 tural riches of all climates, as far as possible ; uniting, in the same scene, a 
 richness and a variety never to be found in any one portion of nature ; — a scene 
 characterized as a work of art, by the variety of the materials, as foreign trees, 
 plants, &c., and by the polish and keeping of the grounds in the natural style, 
 as distinctly as by the uniform and symmetrical arrangement, in the ancient 
 style. 
 
BEAUTIES AND PRINCIPLES OF THE ART. 59 
 
 vantages of a suitable convenience for habitation. A certain 
 artist-like feeling is necessary, to enable one to relish the 
 picturesque. For this reason, the many, see and feel the 
 power of beauty in her graceful, flowing forms ; but it is 
 only the imaginative few, who appreciate her more free 
 and spirited charms. There are perhaps a thousand, who 
 admire the smoothness, softness, and flowing outlines, that 
 predominate in the lawn and pleasure grounds, as we usually 
 see them, where there is one who would prefer a cottage in 
 a highly irregular and picturesque valley, or a castle on a 
 rocky crag ; though the latter, may, to certain minds, be 
 incomparably more enchanting. 
 
 We shall, therefore, keep distinctly in view the two 
 schools, in treating of the practice of the art. There are 
 always, circumstances which must exert a controlling influ- 
 ence over amateurs, in this country, in choosing between the 
 two. These are, fixed locality, expense, individual prefer- 
 ence in style of building, and many others which readily 
 occur to all. The great variety of attractive sites, in the 
 older parts of the country, afford an abundance of indica- 
 tions for either taste. Within the last five years, we think 
 the picturesque is beginning to be preferred. It has, when 
 a suitable locality offers, great advantages for us. The raw 
 materials of wood, water, and surface, by the margin of 
 many of our rivers and brooks, are at once appropriated 
 with so much effect, and so little art, in the picturesque 
 mode ; the annual tax on the purse too, is so comparatively 
 little, and the charm so great ! 
 
 On the other hand, the residences of a country of level 
 plains, usually allow only, the beauty of simple, and graceful 
 forms ; and the larger demesne, with its swelling hills and 
 noble masses of wood, (may we not, prospectively, say the 
 
60 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 prairie too,) should always, in the hands of the man of 
 wealth, be made to display all the freeness and beauty of the 
 Graceful school. 
 
 But there are many persons with small, cottage places, 
 of little decided character, who have neither room, time, 
 nor income, to attempt the improvement of their grounds 
 fully, after either of those two schools. How shall they 
 render their places tasteful and agreeable, in the easiest 
 manner ? We answer, hy attempting 07ily the simple and 
 the natural ; and the unfailing way to secure this, is by 
 employing only trees and grass. A soft verdant lawn, and 
 a few forest or ornamental trees, well grouped, give miiversal 
 pleasm-e — they contain in themselves, in fact, the basis of 
 all our agreeable sensations in a landscape garden — (natural 
 beauty, and the recognition of art,) and they are the most 
 enduring sources of enjoyment in any place. There are 
 no comitry seats, in the United States, so unsatisfactory and 
 tasteless as those in which, without any definite aim, every 
 thing is attempted ; and a mixed jumble of discordant forms, 
 materials, ornaments, and decorations, is assembled — a part 
 in one style and a bit from another, without the least feelmg 
 of unity, or congruity. These rural bedlams, full of all 
 kinds of absurdities, without a leading character or expres- 
 sion of any sort, cost their owners a vast deal of trouble, 
 and money, without giving a tasteful mind, a shadow of 
 the beauty which it feels, at the first glimpse of a neat cot- 
 tage residence, with its simple, sylvan character of well kept 
 lawn and trees. If the latter does not rank high in the 
 scale of Landscape Gardening, as an art, it embodies much of 
 its essence, as a source of enjoyment — the production of the 
 beautiful in country residences. 
 
 Besides the beauties of form and expression in the diffe- 
 
BEAUTIES AND PRINCIPLES OF THE ART, 61 
 
 rent modes of laying out groimds, there are certain universal 
 and inherent beauties, common to all styles, and, indeed, 
 to every composition in the fine arts. Of these, we shall es- 
 pecially point out those growing out of the principles of 
 
 UNITY, HARMONY, and VARIETY. 
 
 Unity, or ihe production of a whole, is a leading principle 
 of the highest importance, in every art of taste or design, 
 without which, no satisfactory result can be realized. This 
 arises from the fact, that the mind can only attend, with plea- 
 sure and satisfaction, to one object, or one composite sensation, 
 at the same time. If two distinct objects, or class of objects 
 present themselves at once to us, we can only attend satisfac- 
 torily to one, by withdrawing our attention, for the time, from 
 the other. Hence the necessity of a reference to this leading 
 principle of unity. 
 
 To illustrate the subject, let us suppose a building, partially 
 built of wood, with square windows, and the remainder of 
 brick or stone, with long and narrow windows. However 
 well such a building may be constructed, or however nicely 
 the different proportions of the edifice may be adjusted, it is 
 evident, it can never form a satisfactory whole. The mind 
 can only account for such an absurdity, by supposing it to 
 have been built by two individuals, or at two different times, 
 as there is nothing indicating an unity of mind in its com- 
 position. 
 
 In Landscape Gardening, violations of the principle of unity 
 are often to be met with, and they are always indicative of 
 the absence of correct taste in art. Looking upon a landscape 
 from the windows of a villa residence, we sometimes see a 
 considerable portion of the view embraced by the eye, laid 
 out in natural groups of trees and shrubs, and upon one side, 
 or, perhaps, in the middle of the same scene, a formal avenue 
 
62 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 leading directly up to the house. Such a view can never 
 appear a satisfactory whole, because we experience a con- 
 fusion of sensations in contemplating it. There is an 
 evident incongruity in bringing two modes of arranging 
 plantations, so totally different, under the eye at one moment, 
 which distracts, rather than pleases the mind. In this exam- 
 ple, the avenue, taken by itself, may be a beautiful object, and 
 the groups and connected masses may, in themselves, be ele- 
 gant, yet if the two portions are seen together, they will not 
 form a whole, because they cannot make a composite idea. 
 For the same reason, there is something unpleasing in the 
 introduction of fruit trees among elegant ornamental trees 
 on a lawn, or even in assembling together, in the same beds, 
 flowering plants, and culinary vegetables — one class of 
 vegetation suggesting the useful, and homely, alone to the 
 mind, and the other, avowedly, only the ornamental. 
 
 In the arrangement of a large extent of surface, where a 
 great many objects are necessarily presented to the eye at 
 once, the principle of unity will suggest that there should be 
 some grand or leading features to which the others should be 
 merely subordinate. Thus, in grouping trees, there should 
 be some large and striking masses to which the others appear 
 to belong, however distant, instead of scattered groups, all 
 of the same size. Even in arranging walks, a whole will 
 more readily be recognized, if there are one or two, of large 
 size, with which the others appear connected as branches, 
 than if all are equal in breadth, and present the same 
 appearance to the eye in passing. 
 
 In all works of art which command universal admiration, 
 we discover an unity of conception and composition, an unity 
 of taste and execution. To assemble in a single composition, 
 forms which are discordant, and portions dissimilar in plan, 
 
BEAUTIES AND PRINCIPLES OF THE ART. 63 
 
 can only aiFord pleasure for a short time, to tasteless minds, or 
 those fond of trifling and puerile conceits. The production 
 of an accordant whole, is, on the contrary, capable of affording 
 the most permanent enjoyment to educated minds, every 
 where, and at all periods of time. 
 
 After imity, the principle of Variety is worthy of con- 
 sideration, as a fertile source of beauty in Landscape Garden- 
 ing. Variety must be considered as belonging more to the 
 details, than to* the production of a whole; and it may be 
 attained by disposing trees and shrubs in numerous different 
 ways ; and by the introduction of a great number of 
 different species of vegetation, or kinds of walks, ornamental 
 objects, buildings and seats. By producing intricacy, it 
 creates in scenery a thousand points of interest, and elicits new 
 beauties, through different arrangements and combinations 
 of forms and colours, light and shades. In pleasure-grounds, 
 while the whole should exhibit a general plan, the different 
 scenes presented to the eye, one after the other, should pos- 
 sess sufficient variety in the detail, to keep alive the interest 
 of the spectator, and awaken further curiosity. 
 
 Harmony may be considered the principle presiding over 
 variety, and preventing it from becoming discordant. It, 
 indeed, always supposes contrasts^ but neither so strong, nor 
 so frequent, as to produce discord ; and variety^ but not so 
 great, as to destroy a leading expression. In plantations, we 
 seek it in a combination of qualities, opposite in some re- 
 spects, as in the colour of the foliage, and similar in others, 
 as the form. In embellishments, by a great variety of 
 objects of interest, as sculptured vases, sun dials, or rustic 
 seats, baskets, and arbors, of different forms, but all in 
 accordance, or keeping, with the spirit of the scene. 
 
 To illustrate the three principles, with reference to Land- 
 
64 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 scape Gardening, we may remark, that, if imity, only, were 
 consulted, :a scene might be planted with but one kind of 
 tree, the effect of which would be sameness ; on the other 
 hand, variety might be carried so far as to have every tree 
 of a different kind, which would produce a confused effect. 
 Harmony, however, introduces contrast, and variety, but 
 keeps them subordinate to unity, and to the leading expres- 
 sion, and is, thus, the highest principle of the three. 
 
 In this brief abstract of the nature of imitation in Land- 
 scape Gardening, and the kinds of beauty which it is possible 
 to produce by means of the art, we have endeavoured to elu- 
 cidate its leading principles, clearly, to the reader. These 
 grand principles we shall here succinctly recapitulate, 
 premising, that a familiarity with them is of the very first 
 importance in the successful practice of this elegant art, viz. 
 
 The Imitation of the Beauty op Expression, 
 derived from a refined perception of the sentiment of na- 
 ture : The Recognition of Art, founded on the immu- 
 tability of the true, as well as the beautiful : And the 
 Production of Unity, Harmony, and Variety, m 
 order to render complete, and continuous, our enjoyment 
 of any artistical work. 
 
 Neither the professional Landscape Gardener, nor the ama- 
 teur, can hope for much success in realizing the nobler effects 
 of the art, miless he first make himself master of the natural 
 character, or prevailing expression, of the place to be im- 
 proved. In this nice perception, at a glance, of the natural 
 expression, as well as the capabilities of a residence, lies the 
 secret of the superior results produced even by the improver, 
 who, to use the words of Horace Walpole, " is proud of no 
 other art than that of softening nature's harshness, and copy- 
 ing her graceful touch." When we discover the picturesque, 
 
BEAUTIES AND PRINCIPLES OF THE ART. 65 
 
 indicated in the grounds of the residence to be treated, let us 
 take advantage of it ; and while all harshness incompatible 
 with scenery near the house is removed, the original expres- 
 sion may in most cases be heightened, in all, rendered more 
 elegant and appropriate, without lowering it in force or spirit. 
 In like manner good taste will direct us to embellish scenery 
 expressive of graceful beauty, by the addition of forms, 
 whether in trees, buildings, or other objects, harmonious in 
 character, as well as in colour and outline. 
 
66 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 SECTION III. 
 
 ON WOOD. 
 
 The beauty of Trees in Rural Embellishments. Pleasure resulting from their cultivation. 
 Plantations in the Ancient Style ; their formality. In the Modern Style j grouping trees. 
 Arrangement and grouping in the Graceful school ; in the Picturesque school. Illustra- 
 tions in planting villa, ferme ornee, and cottage grounds. General classification of trees 
 as to forms, with leading characteristics of each class. 
 
 " He gains all points, who pleasingly confounds, 
 Surprises, varies, and conceals the bounds. 
 Calls in the country, catches opening glades, 
 Joins willing woods, and varies shades from shades; 
 Now breaks, or now directs the intending lines; 
 Paints as you plant, and, as you work, designs." 
 
 Pope. 
 
 M O N G all the materials at our disposal 
 for the embellishment of coimtry residences, 
 •none are at once so highly ornamental, so 
 indispensable, and so easily managed, as trees, or icood. We 
 introduce them in every part of the landscape, — in the fore- 
 ground as well as in the distance, on the tops of the hills and 
 in the depths of the valleys. They are, indeed, like the 
 drapery which covers a somewhat ungainly figure, and while 
 it conceals its defects, communicates to it new interest and 
 expression. 
 
 A tree, undoubtedly, is one of the most beautiful objects in 
 nature. Airy and delicate in its youth, luxuriant and majestic 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 67 
 
 in its prime, venerable and picturesque in its old age, it con • 
 stitutes in its various forms, sizes, and developments, the 
 greatest charm and beauty of the earth in all countries. The 
 most varied outline of surface, the finest combination of pic- 
 tm-esque materials, the stateliest country house would be com- 
 paratively tame and spiritless, without the inimitable ac- 
 companiment of foliage. Let those who have passed their 
 whole lives in a richly wooded country, — whose daily 
 visions are deep leafy glens, forest clad hills, and plains 
 luxuriantly shaded, — transport themselves for a moment to 
 the desert, where but a few stunted bushes raise their 
 heads above the earth, or those wild steppes where the eye 
 wanders in vain for some " leafy garniture," — ^where the sun 
 strikes down with parching heat, or the wind sweeps over 
 with unbroken fury, and they may perhaps estimate, by 
 contrast, their beauty and value. 
 
 We are not now to enumerate the great usefulness of 
 trees, — their value in the construction of our habitations, our 
 navies, the various implements of labour, — in short, the 
 thousand associations which they suggest as ministering to 
 our daily wants ; but let us imagine the loveliest scene, the 
 wildest landscape, or the most enchanting valley, despoiled of 
 trees, and we shall find nature shorn of her fair proportions, 
 and the character and expression of these favourite spots 
 almost entirely destroyed. 
 
 Wood, in its many shapes, is then one of the great sources 
 of interest and character in Landscapes. Variety, which we 
 need scarcely allude to as a fertile source of beauty, is created 
 in a wonderful degree by a natural arrangement of trees. 
 To a pile of buildings, or even of ruins, to a group of 
 rocks, or animals, they communicate new life and spirit 
 by their irregular outlines, which, by partially concealing 
 
68 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 some portions, and throwing others into stronger Ught, con- 
 tribute greatly to produce intricacy and variety, and con- 
 fer an expression, which, without these latter qualities, might 
 in a great measure be wanting. By shutting out some parts, 
 and enclosing others, they divide the extent embraced by the 
 eye, into a hundred different landscapes, instead of one tame 
 scene bounded by the horizon. 
 
 The different seasons of the year, too, are inseparably con- 
 nected in our muids with the effects produced by them on 
 woodland scenery. Spring is joyous and enlivening to us, 
 as nature then puts on her fresh lively of green and the trees 
 bud and blossom with a renewed beauty, that speaks with a 
 mute and gentle eloquence to the heart. In summer they 
 fFer us a grateful shelter under their umbrageous arms and 
 leafy branches, and whisper unwritten music to the passing 
 breeze : in autumn we feel a melancholy thoughtfulness as 
 
 " We stand among the fallen leaves," 
 
 and gaze upon their dying glories. And in winter we see 
 in them the silent rest of natiu-e, and behold in their leaf- 
 less spray, and seemingly dead limbs, an annual type of that 
 deeper mystery — the deathless sleep of all being. 
 
 By the judicious employment of trees in the embellishment 
 of a country residence, we may effect the greatest alterations 
 and improvements within the scope of Landscape Gardening. 
 Buildings which are tame, insipid, or even mean in appear- 
 ance, may be made interestmg, and often picturesque, by a 
 proper disposition of trees. Edifices, or parts of them that are 
 unsightly, or which it is desirable partly or wholly to con- 
 ceal, can readily be hidden or improved by wood ; and walks 
 and roads, which otherwise would be but simple ways of ap- 
 proach from one point to another, are, by an elegant arrange- 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 69 
 
 merit of trees on their margins, or adjacent to them, made the 
 most interesting and pleasing portions of the residence. 
 
 In Geometric gardening, trees disposed in formal lines, ex- 
 hibit as strongly art, or design, in the contriver, as regular 
 architectural edifices ; while, in a more elevated and enlight- 
 ened taste, we are able to dispose them in our pleasure-grounds 
 and parks, around our houses, in all the variety of groups, 
 masses, thicket, and single trees, in such a manner as to rival 
 the most beautiful scenery of general nature ; producing 
 a portion of landscape, which unites with all the comforts 
 and conveniences of rural habitation, the superiour charm of 
 refined arrangement, and natural beauty of expression. 
 
 If it were necessary to present any other inducement to the 
 country gentleman to form plantations of trees, than the great 
 beauty and value which they add to his estate, we might find 
 it in the pleasure which all derive from their cultivation. 
 Unlike the pleasure arising from the gratification of our taste 
 in architecture, or any other of the arts whose productions are 
 otfered to us perfect and complete, the satisfaction arising 
 from planting and rearing trees is never weakened. " We 
 look," says a writer, " upon our trees as our offspring ; and 
 nothing of inanimate nature can be more gratifying than to 
 see them grow and prosper under our care and attention, — 
 nothing more interesting than to examine their progress, and 
 mark their several peculiarities. In their progress from plants 
 to trees, they every year unfold new and characteristic marks 
 of their ultimate beauty, which not only compensate for past 
 cares and troubles, but like the returns of gratitude, raise a 
 most delightful tram of sensations in the mind ; so innocent 
 and rational, that they may justly rank with the most exqui- 
 site of human enjoyments." 
 
70 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 " Happy is he, who in a country life 
 Shuns more perplexing toil and jarring strife ; 
 Who lives upon the natal soil he loves, 
 And sits beneath his old ancestral groves." 
 
 To this, let us add the complacent feelings, with which a man 
 in old age, may look around him and behold these leafy mon- 
 archs, planted by his boyish hands, and nursed by him in his 
 youthful years, which have grown aged and venerable along 
 with him ; 
 
 " A wood coeval vdth himself he sees, 
 And loves his own contemporary trees." 
 
 Plantations in the Ancient Style. In the ar- 
 rangement and culture of trees and plants in the ancient 
 style of Landscape Gardening, we discover the evidences 
 of the formal taste, — abounding with eveiy possible variety 
 of quaint conceits, and rife with whimsical expedients, 
 so much in fashion during the days of Henry and Eliza- 
 beth, and mitil the eighteenth century in England, and 
 which is still the reigning mode in Holland, and parts of 
 France. In these gardens, natm-e was tamed and subdued, or 
 as some critics will have it, tortured into every shape which 
 the ingenuity of the gardener could suggest ; and such kinds 
 of vegetation as bore the shears most patiently, and when 
 carefully trimmed, assumed gradually the appearance of 
 verdant statues, pyramids, crowing cocks, and rampant lions, 
 were the especial favourites of the gardeners of the old 
 school.* The stately etiquette, and courtly precision of the 
 manners of our English ancestors, extended into their gardens, 
 
 *The unique ideal of the " Garden of Eden," by one of the old Dutch painters, 
 with sheared hedges, formal alleys, and geometric plots of flowers, for the 
 entertainment of our first parents, is, doubtless, familiar to our readers. 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 71 
 
 and was reflected back by the very trees which lined their 
 avenues, and the shrubs which surrounded their houses. 
 " Nonsuch, Theobalds, Greenwich, Hampton Court, Hatfield, 
 Moor-Park, Chatsworth, Beaconsfield, Cashiobury, Ham, and 
 many another," says William Howitt, " stood in all that 
 stately formality which Henry and Elizabeth admired ; and in 
 which our Surrys, Leicesters, Essexes, the splendid nobles 
 of the Tudor dynasty, the gay ladies and gallants of Charles 
 H.'s court, had walked and talked, — fluttering in glittering 
 processions, or flirting in green alleys and bowers of topiary 
 work, and amid figures, in lead or stone, fountains, cascades, -^ 
 copper-trees dropping sudden showers on the astonished pas- 
 sers under, stately terraces with gilded balustrades, and cu- 
 rious quincunx, obelisks, and pyramids ; — fitting objects of 
 admiration of those who Avalked in high heeled shoes, rufls 
 and fardingales, with fan in hand, or in trunk hose and laced 
 doublet." 
 
 Symmetrical uniformity governed, with despotic power, 
 even the trees and foliage, in the ancient style. In the 
 more simple country residences, the plantations were al- 
 ways arranged in some regular lines or geometrical figures. 
 Long parallel rows of trees were planted, for groves and 
 avenues, along the principal roads and walks. The greatest 
 care was taken to avoid any appearance of irregularity. A 
 tree upon one side of the house, was opposed by another 
 vis a vis, and a row of trees at the right of the mansion had 
 its always accompanying row on the left : or, as Pope in 
 his Satire has more rythmically expressed it — 
 « 
 
 Grove nods at grove, each alley has its brother, 
 And half the platform just reflects the other. 
 
 In the interior of the park, the plantations were generally 
 
72 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 disposed, either in straight avenues crossing each other, or 
 clumped in the form of circles, stars, squares, etc. ; and long 
 vistas were obtained through the avenues divaricating from 
 the house in various directions, over level surfaces. One of 
 the favourite fancies of the geometric gardener, was the La- 
 byrinth, (fig. 14,) of which a few celebrated examples are still 
 in existence in England, and which consisted of a multitude 
 of trees thickly planted in impervious hedges, covering some- 
 times several acres of ground. These labyrinths were the 
 source of much amusement to the family and guests, the trial 
 of skill being to find the centre, and from that point to re- 
 turn again without assistance ; and we are told by a historian 
 of the garden of that period, that " the stranger having once 
 entered, was sorely puzzled to get out." 
 
 [Pig. 14. A Labyrinth.] 
 
 Since the days when these gardens were in their glory the 
 taste in Landscape Gardening has undergone a great change. 
 The graceful, and the pictulresque, are the new elements 
 of beauty, which, entering into the composition of our 
 gardens and home landscapes, have, to refined minds, in- 
 creased a hundred fold the enjoyment derived from this spe- 
 cies of rural scenery. Still, there is much to admire in the 
 ancient style. Its long and majestic avenues, the wide- 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 73 
 
 Spreading branches interlacing over our heads, and forming 
 long, shadowy aisles, are, themselves alone, among the noblest 
 and most imposing sylvan objects. Even the formal and cu- 
 riously knotted gardens, are interesting, from the pleasing as- 
 sociations which they suggest to the mind, as having been 
 the favourite haunts of Shakspeare, Bacon, Spenser, and 
 Milton. They are so inseparably comiected, too, in our 
 imaginations, with the quaint architecture of that era, that 
 wherever that style of building is adopted, (and we observe 
 several examples already among us,) this style of gardening 
 may be considered as highly appropriate, and in excellent 
 keeping with such a country house. 
 
 It has been remarked, that the geometric style would al- 
 ways be preferred in a new country, or in any country where 
 the amount of land under cultivation is much less than that 
 covered with natural woods and forests ; as the inhabitants 
 being surrounded by scenery abounding with natural beauty, 
 would always incline to lay out their gardens and pleasure- 
 grounds in regular forms, because the distinct exhibition of 
 art would give more pleasure by contrast, than the ele- 
 gant imitation of beautiful nature. That this is true as 
 regards the mass of micultivated minds, we do not deny. 
 But at the same time we affirm that it evinces a meagre taste, 
 and a lower state of the art, or a lower perception of beauty 
 in the individual who employs the geometrical style in such 
 cases. A person, whose place is surrounded by inimitably 
 grand, or sublime scenery, would undoubtedly fail to excite 
 our admiration, by attempting a fac-simile imitation of such 
 scenery, on the small scale of a park or garden ; but he is not, 
 therefore, obliged to resort to right-lined plantations, and regu- 
 lar grass plots, to produce something Vvrhich shall be, at once 
 sufficiently different to attract notice, and so beautiful as to 
 
 10 
 
74 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 command admiration. All that it would be requisite for him 
 to do in such a case, would be to employ rare and foreign orna- 
 mental trees ; as for example, 'the horse-chestnut and the 
 linden, in situations where the maple and the sycamore are 
 the principal trees, — elegant flowering shrubs and beautiful 
 creepers, instead of sumacs and hazels,^ — and to have his 
 place kept in high and polished order, instead of the tangled 
 wildness of general nature. 
 
 On the contrary, were a person to desire a residence newly 
 laid out and planted, in a district where all around is in a high 
 state of polished cultivation, as in the suburbs of a city, a spe- 
 cies of pleasure would result from the imitation of scenery of a 
 more spirited natural character, — as the picturesque, — in his 
 grounds. His plantations are made in irregular groups, 
 composed chiefly of picturesque trees, as the larch, the 
 oak, etc. — his walks would lead through varied scenes, 
 sometimes bordered with groups of rocks overrun with 
 flowering creepers and vines ; sometimes with thickets or 
 little copses of shrubs and flowering plants ; sometimes 
 through wild and, comparatively, neglected portions ; the 
 whole interspersed with open glades of turf. 
 
 In the majority of instances in the United States, the mo- 
 dern style of Landscape Gardening, wherever it is appreci- 
 ated, will, in practice, consist in arranging a demesne of from 
 five to some hundred acres, — or rather that portion of it, 
 say one half, one third, etc., devoted to lawn and pleasure- 
 ground, pasture, etc., — so as to exhibit groups of forest and 
 ornamental trees and shrubs, surrounding the dwelling of the 
 proprietor, and extending for a greater or less distance, 
 especially towards the place of entrance from the public 
 highway. Near the house, good taste will dictate the 
 assemblage of groups and masses of the rarer or more beau- 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 76 
 
 tifiil trees and shrubs ; commoner native forest trees occupy- 
 ing the more distant portions of the grounds,* 
 
 Plantations in the Modern Style. In the Modern 
 Style of Landscape Gardening, it is our aim, in plantations, 
 to produce not only what is called natural beauty, but even 
 higher and more striking beauty of expression, and of 
 individual forms, than we see in nature ; to create variety, 
 and intricacy, in the groimds of a residence, by various modes 
 of arrangement ; to give a highly elegant, or polished air to 
 places by introducing rare and foreign species ; and to conceal 
 all defects of surface, disagreeable views, unsightly buildings, 
 or other offensive objects. 
 
 As uniformity, and grandeur of single effects, were the aim 
 of the old style of arrangement, so variety, and harmony of 
 the whole, are the results for which we labour in the mo- 
 dern landscape. And, as the Avenue, or Ihe straight line, is 
 the leading form in the geometric arrangement of plantations, 
 so let us enforce it upon our readers, the Group, is equally the 
 key-note of the Modern style. The smallest place, having 
 
 * Although we love planting, and avow that there are few greater pleasures 
 than] to see a darling tree, of one's own placing, every year stretching wider its 
 feathery head of foliage, and covering with a darker shadow the soft turf beneath 
 it, still, we will not let the ardent and inexperienced hunter after a location for a 
 country residence, pass without a word of advice. This is, always to make consider- 
 able sacrifice to get a place with some existing wood, or a few ready grown trees upon 
 it ; especially near the site for the house. It is better to yield a little in the ex- 
 tent of prospect, or in the direct proximity to a certain locality, than to pitch your 
 tent in a plain, — desert-like in its bareness — on which your leafy sensibilities must 
 suffer, for half a dozen years at least, before you can hope for any solace. It is 
 doubtful whether there is not almost as much interest in studying from one's 
 window the curious ramifications, the variety of form, and the entire harmony, 
 to be found in a fine old tree, as in gazing from a site where we have no 
 interruption to a panorama of the whole horizon ; and we have generally found 
 that no planters have so little courage and faith, as those who have commenced 
 without the smallest group of large trees, as a nucleus for their plantations. 
 
76 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 only three trees, may have these pleasingly connected in a 
 group ; and the largest and finest park — the Blenheim or 
 Chatsworth, of seven miles square, is only composed of a 
 succession of groups, becoming masses — thickets — woods. 
 If a demesne with the most beautiful surface and views, has 
 been for some time stiffly and awkardly planted, it is ex- 
 ceedingly difficult to give it a natural and agreeable air ; 
 while many a tame level, with scarcely a glimpse of distance, 
 has been rendered lovely by its charming groups of trees. 
 How necessary therefore, is it, in Ihe veiy outset, that the 
 novice, before he begins to plant^ should know how to 
 arrange a tasteful group. 
 
 Nothing, at first thought, would appear easier, than to ar- 
 range a few trees in the form of a natural and beautiful group, — 
 and nothing really is easier to the practised hand. Yet ex- 
 perience has taught us that the generality of persons, m 
 commencing their first essays in ornamental planting, almost 
 invariably crowd their trees into a close, regular cluTnp, 
 which has a most formal and unsightly appearance, as 
 different as possible from the easy flowing outline of the 
 group.* 
 
 * A friend of ours, at Northampton, who is a most zealous planter, related to 
 us a diverting expedient to which he was obliged to resort, in order to ensure 
 irregular groups. Busily engaged in arranging plantations of young trees on his 
 lawn, he was hastily obliged to leave home, and entrust the planting of the groups 
 to some common garden labourers, whose ideas he could not raise to a point suffi- 
 ciently high to appreciate any beauty in plantations, unless made in regular forms, 
 and straight lines. " Being well aware," says our friend, " that if left to them- 
 selves I should find all my trees, on my return, in hollow squares or circular 
 clumps, I hastily threw up a peck of potatoes into the air, one by one, and directed 
 my workmen to plant a tree where every potatoe fell ! Thus, if I did not attain 
 the maximum of beauty in grouping, I at least had something not so offensive 
 as geometrical figures." 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 77 
 
 " Were it made the object of study," says Price, " how 
 to invent something, which, under the name of ornament, 
 should disfigure a whole park, nothing could 
 be contrived to answer that purpose like a 
 Sr clump. Natural groups, being formed by trees 
 of different ages and sizes, and at different distances from 
 each other, often too by a mixture of those of the largest size 
 with others of inferior growth, are full of variety in their out- 
 lines ; and from the same causes, no two groups are exactly 
 alike. But clumps, from the trees being generally of the same 
 age and growth, from their being planted nearly at the same 
 distance, in a circular form, and from each tree being equally 
 pressed by his neighbour, are as like each other, as so many 
 puddings turned out of one common mould. Natural groups 
 are full of openings and hollows, of trees advancing before, or 
 retiring behind each other ; all productive of intricacy, of va- 
 riety, of deep shadows and brilliant lights : in walking about 
 them the form changes at every step ; new combinations, new 
 lights and shades, new inlets present themselves in succession. 
 But clumps^ like compact bodies of soldiers, resist attacks from 
 all quarters ; examine them in every point of view ; walk 
 round and round them ; no opening, no vacancy, no strag- 
 glers ; but in the true military character, Us sont face par- 
 tout r* 
 
 The chief care, then, which is necessary in the formation 
 
 * Those who peruse Price's " Essay on the Picturesque," cannot fail to 
 be entertained with the vigour with wiiich he advocates the picturesque, and 
 attacks the clumping method of laying out grounds, so much practised in Eng- 
 land, on the first introduction of the modem style. Brown, was the great prac- 
 titioner at that time, and his favourite mode seems to have been to cover the 
 whole surface of the grounds with an unmeaning assemblage of round, bunchy 
 clumps. 
 
78 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 of groups, is, 7iot to place them in any regular or artificial 
 manner,— as one at each corner of at riangle, square, octagon, 
 or other many-sided figure ; but so to dispose them, as that 
 the whole may exhibit the variety, connection, and intricacy 
 seen in nature. " The greatest beauty of a group of trees," 
 says Loudon, " as far as respects their stems, is in the varied 
 direction these take as they grow into trees ; but as that is, 
 for all practical purposes, beyond the influence of art, all we 
 can do, is to vary as much as possible the ground plan of 
 groups, or the relative positions which the stems have to each 
 other where they spring frotn the earth. This is consider- 
 able, even where a very few trees are used, of which any 
 person may convince himself by placing a few dots on paper. 
 Thus two trees, (fig. 15,) or a tree and shrub, which is the 
 smallest group, (a), may be placed in three difierent positions 
 
 
 
 [Fig. 15. Grouping of Trees.] 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 79 
 
 with reference to a spectator in a fixed point ; if he moves 
 round them, they will first vary in form separately, and next 
 unite in one or two groups, according to the position of 
 the spectator. In like manner, three trees may be placed in 
 four different positions ; four trees may be placed in eight 
 different positiont [b] ; five trees may be grouped in ten 
 different ways, as to ground plan ; six may be placed in 
 twelve different ways (c), and so on." {Encyclopo&dia of 
 Gard.) 
 
 In the composition of larger masses, similar rules must be 
 observed as in the smaller groups, in order to prevent them 
 from growing up in heavy clumpish forms. The outline 
 must be flowing, here projecting out into the grass, there rece- 
 ding back into the plantation, in order to take off all appear- 
 ance of stiffness and regularity. Trees of medium and 
 smaller size should be so interspersed with those of larger 
 growth, as to break up all formal sweeps in the line produced 
 by the tops of their summits, and, occasionally, low trees 
 should be planted on the outer edge of the mass, to connect 
 it with the humble verdure of the surrounding sward. 
 
 In many parts of the union, where new residences are being 
 formed, or where old ones are to be improved, the grounds 
 will often be found, partially, or to a considerable extent, 
 clothed with belts or masses of wood, either previously plant- 
 ed, or preserved from the woodman's axe. How easily we 
 may turn these to advantage in the natural style of Landscape 
 Gardening ; and by judicious trimming when too thick, or 
 additions when too much scattered, elicit often the happiest 
 effects, in a magical manner ! In the accompanying sketch, 
 (fig. 16,) the reader will recognize a portrait of a hundred 
 familiar examples, existing with us, of the places of persons 
 of considerable means and intelligence, where the house is 
 
80 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 7 ill 
 
 [Fig. 16. View of a Country Residence, as frequently seen.] 
 
 not less meagre than the stiff approach leading to it, border- 
 ed with a formal belt of trees. The succeeding sketch, 
 (fig. 17), exhibits this place as improved agreeably to the 
 principles of modern Landscape Gardening, not only in the 
 plantations, but in the house, — ^which appears tastefully alter- 
 ed from a plain unmeaning parallelogram, to a simple, old 
 Englishcottage, — and in the more graceful approach. Effects 
 like these, are within the reach of very moderate means, and 
 are peculiarly worth attention in this country, where so much 
 has already been partially, and often badly executed. 
 
 [Fig. 17. View of the same Residence, improved.] 
 
 Where there are large masses of wood to regulate and ar- 
 range, much skill, taste and judgment, are requisite, to enable 
 the proprietors tojpreserve only what is really beautiful and 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 81 
 
 picturesque, and to remove all that is superfluous. Most of 
 our native woods, too, have grown so closely, and the trees 
 are consequently so much drawn up, that should the improver 
 thin out any portion, at once, to single trees, he will be 
 greatly disappointed if he expects them to stand long ; for 
 the first severe autumnal gale will almost certainly prostrate 
 them. The only method, therefore, is to allow them to re- 
 main in groups of considerable size at first, and to thin 
 them out as is finally desired, when they have made 
 stronger roots and become more inured to the influence of 
 the sun and air.* 
 
 But to return to grouping ; what we have already en- 
 deavoured to render familiar to the reader, may be called 
 grouping in its simple meaning — for general effect, and 
 with an eye only to the natural beauty of pleasing forms. 
 Let us now explain, as concisely as we may, the mode of 
 grouping in the two schools in Landscape Gardening here- 
 tofore defined ; that is to say, grouping and planting for 
 Graceful effect, and for Picturesque effect, — as we wish it un- 
 derstood that these two different expressions, in artificial 
 landscape, are always, to a certain extent, under our control. 
 
 Planting and Grouping in the Graceful School. 
 The elementary principles in this school, our readers will 
 remember to be fulness and softness of outline, and perfectly 
 luxuriant development. To insure these in plantations, we 
 must commence by choosing, mainly, trees of graceful habit, 
 and flowing outlines ; and of this class of trees, hereafter 
 more fully illustrated, the American elm, and the maple 
 
 * When, in thinning woods in this manner, those left standing have a meagre 
 appearance, a luxuriant growth may be promoted by the application of manure 
 plentifully dug in about the roots. This will also, by causing an abundant 
 growth of new roots, strengthen the trees in their position. 
 
 11 
 
82 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 may be taken as the type. Next, in disposing them, they 
 must usually be planted rather distant in the groups, and 
 often singly. We do not mean by this, that close groups 
 may not occasionally be formed, but there should be a 
 predominance of trees grouped at such a distance from each 
 other, as to allow a full development of the branches on 
 every side. Or, when a close group is planted, the trees 
 composing it, should be usually of the same or a similar 
 kind, in order that they may grow up together and form 
 one finely rounded head. Rich creepers, and blossoming 
 vines, that grow in fine luxuriant wreaths and masses, are 
 fit accompaniments to occasional groups in this manner. 
 Fig. 18, represents a plan of trees grouped along a road 
 or walk, in the Graceful mode. 
 
 [Fig. 18. Grouping in the Graceful mode.] 
 
 It is proper that we should here remark, that a distinct 
 species of after treatment is required for the two modes. 
 Trees, or groups, in the Graceful school, should be pruned 
 with great care, and indeed, scarcely at all, except to 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 
 
 83 
 
 remedy disease, or to correct a bad form. Above all, the 
 fiill luxuriance and development of the tree should be en- 
 couraged by good soil, and repeated manurings when 
 necessary ; and that most expressively elegant fall and 
 droop of the branches, which so entirely belongs to the 
 Graceful school, should never be warred against by any 
 trimming of the lower branches, which must also be care- 
 fully preserved against cattle, whose browsing line^ would 
 soon efface this most beautiful disposition in some of our 
 fine lawn trees. Clean smooth stems, fresh and tender bark, 
 and a softly rounded, pyramidal or drooping head, are the 
 characteristics of a graceful tree. We need not add that 
 gently slopmg ground, or surfaces rolling in easy undula- 
 tions, should accompany such plantations. 
 
 Planting and grouping in the Picturesque school. 
 All trees are admissible in a picturesque place, but a 
 predominance must be used by the planter, of what are 
 truly called picturesque trees, of which the larch and fir 
 tribe, and the oak, may be taken as examples. In the 
 
 [Fig. 19. Grouplug in the Picturesque mode.] 
 
 Picturesque school, every thing depends on intricacy, and 
 
84 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 irregularity, and grouping, therefore, must often be done* 
 in the most irregular manner — rarely, if ever, with single 
 specimens, as every object should seem to connect itself 
 with something else — but most frequently there should be 
 irregular groups, occasionally running into thickets, and 
 always, more or less, touching each other ; trusting to after 
 time for any thinning, should it be necessary. Fig. 19, 
 may, as compared with fig. 18, give an idea of picturesque 
 grouping. 
 
 There should be more of the wildness of the finest and 
 most forcible portions of natural woods or forests, in the 
 disposition of the trees ; sometimes, planting them closely, 
 even two or three in the same hole, at others, more loose 
 and scattered. These will grow up into wilder and more 
 striking forms, the barks will be deeply furrowed and rough, 
 the limbs twisted and irregular, and the forms and outlines 
 distinctly varied. They should often be intermixed with 
 smaller undergrowth of similar character, as the hazel, 
 hawthorn, etc., and formed into such picturesque and strik- 
 ing groups, as painters love to study and introduce into 
 their pictures. Sturdy and bright vines, or such as are 
 themselves picturesque in their festoons and hangings, 
 should be allowed to clamber over occasional trees in a neg- 
 ligent manner ; and the surface and grass, in parts of the 
 scene not immediately in the neighbourhood of the mansion, 
 may be kept short by the cropping of animals, or allowed to 
 grow in a more careless and loose state, like that of tangled 
 dells, and natural woods. 
 
 There will be the same open glades in picturesque, as 
 in graceful plantations ; but these openings, in the former, 
 will be bounded by groups and thickets of every form, and 
 of different degrees of intricacy, while in the latter, the 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 85 
 
 eye will repose on softly rounded masses of foliage, or 
 single open groups of trees, with finely balanced, and graceful 
 heads and branches. 
 
 In order to know how a plantation in the picturesque 
 mode should be treated, after it is established, we should 
 reflect a moment on what constitutes picturesqueness in 
 any tree. This will be found to consist, either in a certain 
 natural roughness of bark, or wildness of form and outline, 
 or, in some accidental curve of a branch, of striking 
 manner of growth, or perhaps, of both these conjoined. A 
 broken or crooked limb, a leaning trunk, or several stems 
 springing from the same base, are, frequently, peculiarities 
 that at once stamp a tree as picturesque. Hence, it is easy 
 to see, that the excessive care of the cultivator of trees in 
 the graceful school, to obtain the smoothest trunks, and the 
 most sweeping, perfect, and luxuriant heads of foliage, 
 is quite the opposite of what is the picturesque arboricul- 
 turist's ambition. He desires to encourage a certain wild- 
 ness of growth, and allows his trees to spring up occasion- 
 ally in thickets, to assist this effect ; he delights in occasional 
 irregularity of stem and outline, and he therefore suffers 
 his trees, here and there, to crowd each other ; he admires 
 a twisted limb, or a moss covered branch, and in pruning, 
 he, therefore, is careful to leave, precisely what it would be 
 the aim of the other to remove ; and his pruning, where it is 
 at all necessaiy, is directed rather towards increasing the na- 
 rually striking and peculiar habit of the picturesque tree, 
 than assisting it in developing a form of unusual refine- 
 ment and symmetry. From these remarks, we think the 
 amateur will easily divine, that planting, grouping, and 
 culture in the Graceful, requires a much less educated 
 feeling, than performing the same operations in the Pictu- 
 
86 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 resque school. The charm of a refined and poUshed land- 
 scape garden, as we usually see it in the graceful mode, 
 with all the richness and beauty, developed by high cul- 
 ture — lovely and enchanting as it is, and always must be — 
 this charm, we say, is, notwithstanding, always immediately 
 referred, very properly, to a certain perfection of groAvth, 
 arising, mainly, from the superior care and cultivation which 
 is bestowed on every object within our sight. 
 
 But in the Picturesque landscape garden, there is visible, 
 a piquancy of effect — certain bold and striking growths and 
 combinations, which we feel, at once, if we know them to 
 be the result of art, to be the production of a peculiar 
 species of attention — not merely good, or even refined, 
 ornamental gardening. In short, no one can be a pictu- 
 resque improver who is not, himself, something of an artist — 
 who has not studied nature with an artistical eye — and 
 who is not capable of imitating, eliciting, or heightening, in 
 his plantations, or other portions of his residence, the pictu- 
 resque in its many variations. And we may add here, that efii- 
 cient and charming as is the assistance, which all ornamental 
 planters will derive from the study of the best landscape en- 
 gravings and pictures of distinguished artists, they are 
 indispensably necessary to the picturesque improver. In 
 these he will often find embodied the choicest and most 
 captivating studies from picturesque nature, and will see, at 
 a glance, the effect of certain combinations of trees, which 
 he might otherwise puzzle himself a dozen years to know 
 how to produce. 
 
 After all, as the picturesque improver, here, will most 
 generally be found to be him who chooses a comparatively 
 wild and wooded place, we may safely say that, if he has 
 the true feeling for his work, he will always find it vastly 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 87 
 
 easier than the graceful improver ; as the majority of the 
 latter may be said to begin nearly anew — choosing places 
 not for wildness, and intricacy of wood, but for open- 
 ness, and the smiling, sunny, undulating plain, where they 
 must, of course, to a good extent, plant anew. 
 
 After becoming well acquainted with grouping, we 
 should bring ourselves to regard those principles which 
 govern our improvement as a whole. We therefore must 
 call the attention of the improver to the two following 
 principles, which are to be constantly in view : the produc- 
 tion of a whole ; and the proper connection of the jjarts. 
 
 Any person who will take the trouble to reflect for a mo- 
 ment, on the great diversity of surface, change of position, 
 aspects, views, etc., in different country residences, will at 
 once perceive how difficult, or, indeed, how impossible it is, 
 to lay down any fixed or exact rules for arranging planta- 
 tions, in the modern style. What would be precisely adapted 
 to a hilly rolling park, would often be found entirely unfit 
 for adoption in a smooth, level surface, and the contrary. 
 Indeed, the chief beauty of the modern style is the variety 
 produced by following a few leading principles, and 
 applying them to different and varied localities ; imlike the 
 geometric style, which proceeded to level, and arrange, and 
 erect its avenues and squares, alike in every situation, with 
 all the precision and certainty of mathematical demonstra- 
 tion. 
 
 In all grounds to be laid out, however, which are of a lawn 
 or park-like extent, and call for the exercise of judgment and 
 taste, the mansion or dwelling-house, being itself the chief, or 
 leading object in the scene, should form, as it were, the cen- 
 tral point, to which it should be the object of the planter to 
 give importance. In order to do this effectually, the large 
 
88 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 masses, or groups of wood, should cluster round, or form the 
 back-ground to the main edifice ; and where the offices or out- 
 buildings approach the same neighbourhood, they also should 
 be embraced. We do not mean, by this, to convey the idea, 
 that a thick wood should be planted around and in the close 
 neighbourhood of the mansion or villa, so as to impede the 
 free circulation of air ; but its appearance and advantages 
 may be easily produced by a comparatively loose plantation 
 of groups well connectd by intermediate trees, so as to give 
 all the effect of a large mass. The front, and at least that 
 side nearest the approach road, will be left open or nearly 
 so ; while the plantations on the hack-ground will give 
 dignity and importance to the house, and at the same time 
 effectually screen the approach to the farm buildings, and 
 other objects which require to be kept out of view ; and 
 here, both for the purposes of shelter, and richness of effect, 
 a good proportion of evergreens should be introduced. 
 
 From this principal mass, the plantations must break off" in 
 groups of greater or less size, corresponding to the extent 
 covered by it ; — if large, they will diverge into masses of con- 
 siderable magnitude ; if of moderate size, in groups made up 
 of a number of trees. In the lawn front of the house, appro- 
 priate places will be found for a number of the most elegant 
 single trees, or small groups of trees, remarkable for the beau- 
 ty of their forms, foliage, or blossoms. Care must be taken, 
 however, in disposing these, as well as many of the groups, 
 that they are not placed so as, at some future time, to inter- 
 rupt or disturb the finest points of prospect. 
 
 In more distant parts of the plantations will also appear 
 masses of considerable extent, perhaps upon the boundary 
 line, perhaps in particular situations on the sides, or in the 
 interior of the whole ; and the various groups which are dis- 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 89 
 
 tribiited between, should be so managed as, though in most 
 cases distinct, yet to appear to be the connecting Hnks which 
 unite these distant shadows in the composition, with the 
 larger masses near the house. Sometimes several small 
 groups will be almost joined together ; at others the effect 
 may be kept up by a small group, aided by a few neighbour- 
 ing single trees. This, for a park-like place. Where the 
 place is small, a pleasm-e-ground character is all that can be 
 attained. But by employing chiefly shrubs, and only a 
 few trees, very similar and highly beautiful effects may be 
 attained. 
 
 The grand object in all this, should be to open to the eye, 
 from the windows or front of the house, a wide surface, par- 
 tially broken up and divided, by groups and masses of trees, 
 into a number of pleasing lawns or openings, differing in size 
 and appearance, and producing a charming variety in the 
 scene, either when seen from a given point, or when exam- 
 ined in detail. It must not be forgotten that, as a general 
 rule, the grass or surface of the lawn answers as the princi- 
 pal light, and the woods or plantations as the shadows, in 
 the same manner in nature as in painting, and that these 
 should be so managed as to lead the eye to the mansion as 
 the most important object when seen from without, or corres" 
 pond to it in grandeur and magnitude, when looked upon 
 from within the house. If the surface is too much crowded 
 with groups of foliage, breadth of light will be found want- 
 ing ; if left too bare, there will be felt, on the other hand 
 an absence of the noble effect of deep and broad shadows. 
 
 One of the loveliest charms of a fine park is, undoubtedly, 
 variation or undulation of surface. Every thing, accordingly, 
 which tends to preserve and strengthen this pleasing charac- 
 ter, should be kept constantly in view. Where, therefore^ 
 
 12 
 
90 LANDSCAPE GARDENING, 
 
 there are no obvious objections to such a course, the em- 
 inences, gentle swells, or hills, should be planted, in preference 
 to the hollows or depressions. By planting the elevated 
 portions of the grounds, their apparent height is increased ; 
 but by planting the hollows, all distinction is lessened and 
 broken up. Indeed, where there is but a trifling and scarcely 
 perceptible undulation, the importance of the swells of 
 surface already existing is surprisingly increased, when this 
 course of planting is adopted ; and the whole, to the eye, 
 appears finely varied. 
 
 Where the grounds of the residence to be planted are level, 
 or nearly so, and it is desirable to confine the view, on any 
 or all sides, to the lawn or park itself, the boundary groups 
 and masses must be so connected together as, from the most 
 striking part or parts of the prospect, (near the house for ex- 
 ample,) to answer this end. This should be done, not by 
 planting a continuous, uniformly thick belt of trees round the 
 outside of the whole ; but by so arranging the various outer 
 groups and thickets, that when seen from the given points, 
 they shall appear connected in one whole. In this way, 
 there will be an agreeable variation in the margin, made 
 by the various bays, recesses, and detached projections, which 
 could not be so well effected, if the whole were one uniformly 
 unbroken strip of wood. 
 
 But where the house is so elevated as to command a more 
 extensive view than is comprised in the demesne itself, another 
 course should be adopted. The grounds planted must be 
 made to connect themselves with the surrounding scenery, 
 so as not to produce any violent contrast to the eye, when 
 compared with the adjoining country. If then, as is most 
 frequently the case, the lawn or pleasure-ground join, on 
 either side or sides, cultivated farm lands, the proper connec- 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 01 
 
 tion may be kept up by advancing a few groups, or even 
 scattered trees, into the neighbouring fields. In the middle 
 states, there are but few cultivated fields, even in ordinary 
 farms, where there is not to be seen, here and there, a hand- 
 some cluster of saplings, or a few full grown trees ; or if not 
 these, at least some tall growing bushes along the fences, all 
 of which, by a little exercise of this leading principle of con- 
 nection, can, by the planter of taste, be made to appear, with 
 few or trifling additions, to divaricate from, and ramble out of 
 the park itself. Where the park joins natural woods, con- 
 nection is still easier, and where it bounds upon one of our 
 noble rivers, lakes, or other large sheets of water, of course 
 comiection is not expected ; for sudden contrast and transition 
 is there both natural and beautiful. 
 
 In all cases, good taste will suggest that the more polished 
 parts of the lawns and grounds should, in either school of 
 improvement, be those nearest the house. There, the most 
 rare and beautiful sorts of trees are displayed, and the entire 
 plantations agree, in elegance, with the style of art evinced 
 in the mansion itself. When there is much extent, however, 
 as the eye wanders from the neighbourhood of the re- 
 sidence, the whole evinces less polish ; and gradually, 
 towards the farthest extremities, grows ruder, mitil it assimi- 
 lates itself to the wildness of general nature around. This, 
 of course, applies to grounds of large extent, and must not 
 be so much enforced where the lawn embraced is but mo- 
 derate, and therefore comes more directly under the eye. 
 
 It will be remembered that in the foregoing section, we 
 stated it as one of the leading principles of the art of Land- 
 scape Gardening, that in every instance where the grounds 
 of a country residence have a marked natural character, 
 whether of graceful or picturesque beauty, the eiforts of 
 
92 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 he improver will be most successful, if he contributes, by 
 his art, to aid and strengthen that expression. This should 
 ever be borne in mind, when we are commencing any im- 
 provements in planting that will affect the general expression 
 of the scene ; as there are but few country residences in the 
 United States, of any importance, which have not naturally 
 some distinct landscape character, and the labours of the im- 
 prover will be productive of much greater satisfaction, and 
 more lasting pleasure, when they aim at effects in keeping 
 with the whole scene, than if no regard be paid to this im- 
 portant point. This will be felt, almost intuitively, by per- 
 sons who, perhaps, would themselves be incapable of 
 describing the cause of their gratification, but would per- 
 ceive the contrary at once ; as many are unable to analyze 
 the pleasure derived from harmony in music, while they at 
 once perceive the introduction of discordant notes. 
 
 We do not intend that this principle should apply so close- 
 ly, that grounds naturally picturesque, shall have nothing of 
 the softening touches of general beauty ; or that a demesne 
 characterized by the latter expression should not be occasion- 
 ally enlivened with a few " smart touches'^ of the former. 
 This is often necessary, indeed, to prevent tame scenery from 
 degenerating into insipidity, — or picturesque, into wildness, 
 too great to be appropriated in a country residence. Pictu- 
 resque trees give new spirit to groups of merely beautiful 
 ones, and the latter sometimes heighten by contrast the value 
 of the former. All of which, however, does not prevent the 
 'predominance of the leading features of either style, suffi- 
 ciently strong to mark it as such ; while, occasionally, some- 
 thing of zest, or elegance, may be borrowed from the opposite 
 character, to suit the wishes, or gratify the taste of the pro- 
 prietor. 
 
on wood and plantations. 93 
 
 Ground plans of ornamental plantations. To 
 illustrate, partially, our ideas on the arrangement of planta- 
 tions, we place before the reader two or three examples, 
 premising, that the small scale to which they are reduced, 
 prevents our giving to them any character beyond that of 
 the general one of the design. The first, (fig. 20,) represents 
 a portion, say one-third or one-half, of a piece of property 
 selected for a country seat, and which has hitherto been 
 kept in tillage, as ordinary farm land. The public road, a, 
 is the boundary on one side : dd are prettily wooded dells or 
 hollows, which, together with a few groups near the pro- 
 posed site of the house, c, and a few scattered single trees, 
 make up the aggregate of the original woody embellish- 
 ments of the locality. 
 
 In the next figure, (fig. 21,) a ground plan of the place is 
 given, as it would appear, after having been judiciously laid 
 out and planted, with several years growth. At a, the ap 
 proach road leaves the public highway, and leads to the 
 house at c ; from whence, paths of smaller size, b, make the 
 circuit of the ornamental portion of the residence, taking ad- 
 vantage of the wooded dells, d, originally existing, which 
 offer some scope for varied walks, concealed from each other 
 by the intervening masses of thicket. It will be seen here, 
 that one of the largest masses of wood forms a back ground 
 to the house, concealing, also, the out-buildings ; while, from 
 the windows of the mansion itself, the trees are so arranged 
 as to group in the most pleasing and effective manner ; at 
 the same time, broad masses of turf meet the eye, and fine dis- 
 tant views are had through the vistas in the lines, e e. In 
 this manner, the lawn appears divided into four distinct 
 lawns or areas, bomided by groups of trees, instead of 
 being dotted over with an unmeaning confusion of irregular 
 
94 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDKNING. 
 
 [Fig. 20. Plan of a commoD Farm, before any improvements.] 
 
 masses of foliage. The form of these areas varies, also, with 
 every change of position in the spectator, as seen from differ- 
 ent portions of the gromids, or different points in the walks ; 
 and they, can be still further varied, at pleasm-e, by adding 
 more single trees, or small groups, which should always, to 
 produce variety of outline, be placed opposite the salient parts 
 of the wood, and not in the recesses, which latter they would 
 appear to diminish or clog up. The stables are shown at/; 
 the barn g ; and the kitchen garden adjacent at h ; the or- 
 chard at i ; and a small portion of the farm lands at k ; a 
 back entrance to the out-buildings is shown in the rear of 
 the orchard. The plan has been given for a place of seventy 
 acres, thirty of which include the pleasure-grounds, and forty 
 the adjoining farm lands. 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 
 
 95 
 
 '■liii ii iiijli 
 
 I Ml 1 I I I III'. 
 
 [Fig. 21. Plan of the foregoing grounds as a Country Seat, after ten years' improvement.! 
 
 Figure 22, is the plan of an American mansion residence 
 of considerable extent, only part of the farm lands, I, being 
 here delineated. In this residence, as there is no extensive 
 view, worth preserving, beyond the bounds of the estate, the 
 pleasure grounds are surrounded by an irregular and 
 picturesque belt of wood. A fine natural stream or rivu- 
 let, which ran through the estate, has been formed into a hand- 
 some pond, or small lake, /, which adds much to the interest 
 of the grounds. The approach road breaks off from the high- 
 way at the entrance lodge, a, and proceeds in easy curves to 
 the mansion, b ; and the groups of trees on the side of this 
 approach nearest the house, are so arranged that the visiter 
 scarcely obtains more than a glimpse of the latter, until he 
 
96 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 [Fig. 22- Plan of a Mansiou Residence, laid out in tlje natural style.] 
 
 arrives at the most favourable position for a first impression. 
 From the windows of the mansion, at either end, the eye 
 ranges over groups of flowers and shrubs ; while, on the en- 
 trance front, the trees are arranged so as to heighten the 
 natural expression originally existing there. On the other 
 front, the broad mass of light reflected from the green turf 
 at A, is balanced by the dark shadows of the picturesque 
 plantations which surround the lake, and skirt the whole 
 boundary. M i, a- light, inconspicuous wire fence separates 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 97 
 
 that portion of the ground, g, ornamented with flowering 
 shrubs, and kept mown by the scythe, from the remainder, of 
 a park-hke character, which is kept short by the cropping of 
 animals. At c, are shown the stables, carriage house, etc., 
 which, though near the approach road, are concealed by fo- 
 liage, though easily accessible by a short curved road, re- 
 turning from the house, so as not to present any road lead- 
 ing in the same direction, to detract from the dignity of the 
 approach in going to it. A prospect tower, or rustic pavilion, 
 on a little eminence overlooking the whole estate, is shown 
 at 7*. The small arabesque beds near the house, are filled with 
 masses of choice flowering shrubs and plants ; the kitchen 
 garden is shown at d, and the orchard at e. 
 
 Suburban villa residences are, every day, becoming more 
 numerous ; and in laying out the grounds around them, and 
 disposing the sylvan features, there is often more ingenuity, 
 and as much taste required, as in treating a country residence 
 of several hundi-ed acres. In the small area of from one half 
 an acre to ten or twelve acres, surrounding often a villa of 
 the first class, it is desirable to assemble many of the same 
 features, and as much as possible of the enjoyment, which 
 are to be found in a large and elegant estate. To do this, 
 the space allotted to various purposes, as the kitchen garden, 
 lawn, etc., must be judiciously portioned out, and so charac- 
 terized and divided by plantations, that the whole shall ap- 
 pear to be much larger than it really is, from the fact that the 
 spectator is never allowed to see the whole at a single glance ; 
 but while each portion is complete in itself, the plan shall 
 present nothing incongruous or ill assorted. 
 
 An excellent illustration of this species of residence, is af- 
 forded the reader, in the accompanying plan, (fig. 23,) of the 
 grounds of Riverside Villa. This pretty villa at Bur- 
 
 13 
 
98 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 [Fig. 23. Plan of a Suburban Villa Residence.] 
 
 lington, New- Jersey, (to which we shall again refer,) was 
 lately built, and the grounds, about six or eight acres in 
 extent, laid out, from the designs of John Notman, Esq., 
 architect, of Philadelphia ; and while the latter promise a 
 large amount of beauty and enjoyment, scarcely any thing 
 which can be supposed necessary for the convenience or 
 wants of the family, is lost sight of. 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 99 
 
 The house, a, stands quite near the bank of the river, 
 while one front commands fine water views, and the other 
 looks into the lawn or pleasure grounds, b. On one side of 
 the area is the kitchen garden, c, separated and concealed from 
 the lawn, by thick groups of evergreen and deciduous trees. 
 At e, is a picturesque orchard, in which the fruit trees are 
 planted in groups, instead of straight lines, for the sake of 
 effect. Directly under the windows of the drawing-room is 
 the flower garden, / ; and at g^ is a seat. The walk aromid 
 the lawn is also a carriage road, affording entrance and egress 
 from the rear of the grounds, for garden purposes, as well as 
 from the front of the house. At h, is situated the ice-house ; 
 c?, hot-beds ; j, bleaching green ; z*, gardener's house, etc. In 
 the rear of the latter are the stables, which are not shown on 
 the plan. 
 
 The embellished farm, {fenne ornee\ is a pretty mode of 
 combining something of the beauty of the landscape garden, 
 with the utility of the farm, and we hope to see small 
 country seats of this land, become more general. As re- 
 gards profit in farming, of course, all modes of arranging 
 or distributing land are inferior to simple square fields ; 
 on account of the greater facility of working the land, in 
 rectangular plots. But we suppose the owner of the small 
 ornamental farm, to be one with whom profit is not the 
 first and only consideration, — but who desires to unite with 
 it something to gratify his taste, and to give a higher 
 charm to his rural occupations. In fig. 24, is shown 
 part of an embellished farm, treated in the picturesque style 
 throughout. The various fields, under grass or tillage, are 
 divided and bounded by winding roads, a, bordered by 
 hedges of buckthorn, cedar, and hawthorn, instead of 
 wooden fences ; the roads being wide enough to afford 
 
100 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 [Fig. 24 
 
 a Picturesque farm, (fermeornee).'] 
 
 a pleasant drive or walk, so as to allow the owner or visitor 
 to enjoy at the same time an agreeable circuit, and a glance at 
 all the various crops, and modes of culture. In the plan before 
 uSj the approach from the public road, is at b ; the dwell- 
 ing at c ; the barns and farm-buildings at d ; the kitchen 
 garden at e ; and the orchard at /. About the house are 
 distributed some groups of trees, and here the fields, g, are 
 kept in grass, and are either mown or pastured. The fields in 
 crops are designated A, on the plan ; and a few picturesque 
 groups of trees are planted, or allowed to remain, in these, 
 to keep up the general character of the place. A low dell, 
 or rocky thicket, is situated at i. Exceedingly interesting 
 and agreeable effects may be produced, at little cost, in a 
 picturesque farm of this kind. The hedges may be of a 
 great variety of suitable shrubs, and, in addition to those 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 101 
 
 that we have named, we would introduce others of the 
 sweet brier, the Michigan or prairie rose, (admirably adapted 
 for the purpose,) the flowering crab, and the hke — beautiful 
 and fragrant in their growth and blossoms. These hedges we 
 would cause to grow thick, rather by interlacing the branches, 
 than by constant shearing or trimming, which would give 
 them a less formal, and a more free and natural air. The 
 winding lanes traversing the farm, need only be gravelled 
 near the house, — m other portions being left in grass, 
 which will need little care, as it will generally be kept short 
 enough by the passing of men and vehicles over it. 
 
 A picturesque or ornamental farm like this, would be an 
 agreeable residence for a gentleman, retiring into the country 
 on a small farm, desirous of experimenting for himself, with 
 all the new modes of culture. The small and irregular 
 fields, would, to him, be rather an advantage, and there 
 would be an air of novelty and interest about the whole 
 residence. Such an arrangement as this, would also be 
 suitable for a fruit farm, near one of our large towns, the 
 fields being occupied by orchards, vines, grass and grain. 
 The house, and all the buildings, should be of a simple, 
 though picturesque and accordant character. 
 
 The cottage ornee may have more or less ground attached 
 to it. It is the ambition of some to have a great house and 
 little land, and of others, (among whom we remember 
 the poet Cowley,) to have a little house and a large garden. 
 The latter would seem to be the more natural taste. When 
 the grounds of a cottage are large, they will be treated by 
 the landscape gardener nearly like those of a villa residence ; 
 when they are smaller, a more quiet and simple character 
 must be aimed at. But, even where they consist of only 
 a rood or two, something tasteful and pretty may be ar- 
 
102 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 ranged.* In fig. 25, is shown a small piece of ground, on 
 one side of a cottage, in which a picturesque character is 
 attempted to be maintained. The plantations here, are 
 made mostly with shrubs instead of trees, the latter being 
 only sparingly introduced, for the want of room. In the 
 disposition of these shrubs, however, the same attention to 
 picturesque effect is paid as we have already pointed out 
 in our remarks on grouping ; and by connecting the thickets 
 and groups here and there, so as to conceal one walk from 
 the other, a surprising variety and effect will frequently be 
 produced, in an exceedingly limited spot. 
 
 The same limited grounds might 
 
 be planted in the graceful manner 
 ■*" with good effect ; choosing, in 
 this case, shrubs of symmetrical 
 growth and fine forms, planting 
 $ and grouping them somewhat 
 t^ singly, and allowing every speci- 
 men to attain its fullest luxuri- 
 0b ance of development. 
 
 In making these arrangements, 
 [Fig. 25. Ground, of a Cottage om.e.:i Gvcu lu thc Small arca of a fourth 
 of an acre, we should study the same principles, and 
 endeavour to produce the same harmony of effects, as if 
 we were improving a mansion residence of the first class. 
 The extent of the operations, and the sums lavished, are 
 not by any means necessarily connected with successful 
 and pleasing results. The man of correct taste will, by the 
 aid of very limited means, and upon a small surface, be able 
 
 * For a variety of modes of treating the grounds of small places, see our Designs 
 
 for Cottage Residences. 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 103 
 
 to afford the mind more true pleasure, than the improver who 
 lavishes thousands without it, creating no other emotion than 
 surprise or pity at the useless expenditure incurred ; and the 
 Abbe Delille says nothing more true than that, 
 
 " Ce noble emploi demand un artiste qui pense, 
 Prodigue de genie, et non pas de depense." 
 
 From the inspection of plans like these, the tyro may learn 
 something of the manner of arranging plantations, and 
 of the general effect of the natural style, in particular cases 
 and situations. But the knowledge they afford, is so far be- 
 low that obtained by an inspection of the effects in reality, 
 that the latter should, in all cases, be preferred, where it is 
 practicable. In this style, unlike the ancient, it is almost 
 impossible that the same plan should exactly suit any other 
 situation than that for which it was intended, for its great 
 excellence lies in the endless variety produced by its appli- 
 cation to different sites, situations, and surfaces ; developing 
 the latent capacities of one place and heightening the charms 
 of another. 
 
 But the leading principles, as regards the formation of 
 plantations, which we have here endeavoured briefly to elu- 
 cidate, are the same in all cases. After becoming familiar 
 with these, should the amateur landscape gardener be at a loss 
 how to proceed, he can hardly do better, as we have before 
 suggested, than to study and recur often to the beautiful 
 compositions and combinations of nature, displayed in her 
 majestic groups, masses, and single trees, as well as open 
 glades and deep thickets ; of which, fortunately, in most parts 
 of our country, checkered here and there, as it is, with 
 beautiful and picturesque scenery, tliere is no dearth or 
 
10 4 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 scarcity. Keeping these few principles in his mind, he 
 will be able to detect new beauties, and transfer them to his 
 own estate ; for nature is truly inexhaustible in her re- 
 sources of the beautiful. 
 
 Classification of trees, as to expression. The 
 amateur, who wishes to dispose his plantations in the 
 natural style of Landscape Gardening, so as to produce grace- 
 ful or picturesque landscape, will be greatly aided by a study 
 of the peculiar expression of trees individually, and in com- 
 position. The effect of a certain tree, singly, is often exceed- 
 ingly different from that of a group of the same trees. To 
 be fully aware of the effect of groups and masses, requires 
 considerable study, and the progress in this study may be 
 greatly facilitated by a recurrence from groups in nature, to 
 groups in pictures. 
 
 As a farther aid to this most desirable species of informa- 
 tion, we shall offer a few remarks on the principal varieties 
 of character afforded by trees in composition. 
 
 Almost all trees, with relation to forms, may be divi- 
 ded into three kinds viz : round-headed trees, oblong or pi/- 
 rarnidal trees, and spiry-topped trees ; and so far as the 
 expressions of the different species comprised in these distinct 
 classes are concerned, they are, especially when viewed at 
 a distance, (as much of the wood seen in a prospect of any 
 extent, necesssarily, must be,) productive of nearly the same 
 general effects. 
 
 Round-headed trees compose by far the largest of these 
 divisions. The term includes all those trees which have an 
 irregular surface in their boughs, more or less 
 varied in outline, but exhibiting in the whole 
 [Fig. 26. Rouud-heaii- a top Or hcad, coinparatively round; as the 
 
 ed Trees.] 
 
 oak, ash, beech, and walnut. They are generally beau- 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 105 
 
 tiful when young, from their smoothness, and the elegance 
 of their forms ; but often grow picturesque, when age and 
 time have had an opportunity to produce their wonted effects 
 upon them. In general, however, the different round-headed 
 trees may be considered as the most appropriate for introduc- 
 tion in highly cultivated scenery, or landscapes where 
 the character is that of graceful or polished beauty ; as they 
 harmonize with almost all scenes, buildings, and natuTal or 
 artificial objects, uniting well with other forms, and doing 
 violence to no expression of scenery. From the numerous 
 breaks in the surface of their foliage, which reflect differently 
 the lights, and produce deep shadows, there is great intricacy 
 and variety in the heads of many round-topped trees ; and 
 therefore, as an outer surface, to meet the eye in a plantation, 
 they are much softer and more pleasing, than the un- 
 broken line exhibited by the sides of oblong or spiry-topped 
 trees. The sky-outline, also, or the upper part of the head, 
 varies greatly in romid topped trees, from the irregularity in 
 the disposition of the upper branches in different species, as 
 the oak and ash, or even between individual specimens of 
 the same kind of tree, as the oak, of which we rarely see 
 two trees alike in form and outline, although they have the 
 same characteristic expression ; while, on the other hand, 
 no two verdant objects can bear a greater general resem- 
 blance to each other, and show more sameness of figure, 
 than two Lombardy poplars.' 
 
 " In a tree," says Uvedale Price, " of which the foliage is 
 everywhere full and unbroken, there can be but little variety 
 of form ; then, as the sun strikes only on the surface, neither' 
 can there be much variety of light and shade ; and as 
 the apparent colour of objects changes according to the different 
 degrees of light or shade in which they are placed, there can 
 
 14 
 
106 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 be as little variety of tint : and lastly, as there are none of 
 these openings that excite and nourish curiosity, but the eye 
 is everywhere opposed by one uniform leafy screen, there 
 can be as little intricacy as variety." From these remarks, 
 it win be perceived, that even among round-headed trees, there 
 may be great difference in the comparative beauty of different 
 sorts ; and judging from the excellent standard here laid 
 down, it will also be seen how much, in the eye of a painter, 
 a tree with a beautifully diversified surface, as the oak, sur- 
 passes, in the composition of a scene, one with a very regular 
 and compact surface and outline, as the horse-chestnut. In 
 planting large masses of wood, therefore, or even in forming 
 large groups in park scenery, round-headed trees, of the ordi- 
 nary loose and varied manner of growth conmion in the ma- 
 jority of forest trees, are greatly to be preferred to all others. 
 When they cover large tracts, as several acres, they convey 
 an emotion of grandeur to the mind ; when they form vast 
 forests of thousands of acres, they produce a feeling of suh- 
 limity ; in the landscape garden when they stand alone, or 
 in fine groups, they are graceful, or beautiful. While 
 young, they have an elegant appearance ; when old, they 
 generally become majestic or picturesque. Other trees may 
 suit scenery, or scenes, of particular and decided characters ; 
 hutround-headed trees are, decidedly, the chief adornment of 
 general landscape. 
 
 Spiry-topped trees, (fig. 27,) are distinguished by straight 
 leading stems and horizontal branches, which are compara- 
 tively small, and taper gradually to a point. 
 The foliage is generally evergreen, and in 
 most trees of this class, hangs in parallel or 
 [Fij. 27.^spiry-top,,ed (Jroopiug tufts from the branches. The 
 various evergreen trees, composing the spruce and iir families, 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 107 
 
 most of the pines, the cedar, and, among deciduous trees, the 
 larch, belong to this division. Their hue is generally much 
 darker than that of deciduous trees, and there is a strong 
 similarity, or almost sameness, in the different kinds of trees 
 which may properly be called spiry-topped. 
 
 From their sameness of form and surface, this class of trees, 
 when planted in large tracts or masses, gives much'lessjplea- 
 sure than round-headed trees ; and the eye is soon wearied 
 with the monotony of appearance presented by long rows, 
 groups, or masses, of the same form, outline, and appear- 
 ance ; to say nothing of the effect of the uniform dark colour, 
 unrelieved by the warmer tints of deciduous trees. Any 
 one can bear testimony to this, who has travelled through a 
 pine, hemlock, or fir forest, where he could not fail to be 
 struck with its gloom, tediousness, and monotony, especially 
 when contrasted with the variety and beauty in a natural 
 wood of deciduous, round-headed trees. 
 
 Although spiry-topped trees, in large masses, cannot be 
 generally admired for ornamental plantations, yet they have 
 a character of their own, which is very striking and peculiar, 
 and, we may add, in a high degree valuable to the Land- 
 scape Gardener. Their general expression, when single or 
 scattered, is extremely spirited, wild and picturesque ; and 
 when judiciously introduced into artificial scenery, they pro- 
 duce the most charming and unique effects, " The situa- 
 tions where they have most effect, is among rocks, and in 
 very irregular surfaces ; and especially on the steep sides 
 of high mountains, where their forms and the direction of 
 their growth, seem to harmonize with the pointed rocky sum- 
 mits." Fir and pine forests are extremely dull and monoto- 
 nous in sandy plains, and smooth surfaces, (as in the pine 
 barrens of the southern states) ; but among the broken rocks, 
 
108 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 craggy precipices, and otherwise endlessly varied surfaces, 
 (as in the Alps, abroad, and the various rocky heights in the 
 Highlands of the Hudson and the Alleghanies, at home.) they 
 are full of variety. It will readily be seen, therefore, that spiry- 
 topped trees should always be planted in considerable quan- 
 tities in wild, broken, and picturesque scenes, where they will 
 appear perfectly in keepmg, and add wonderfully to the pecu- 
 liar beauty of the situation. In all grounds, where there are 
 abruptly varied surfaces, steep banks, or rocky precipices, this 
 class of trees lends its efficient aid to strengthen the prevail- 
 ing beauty, and to complete the finish of the picture. In 
 smooth level surfaces, though spiry-topped trees carmot be 
 thus extensively employed, they are by no means to be neg- 
 lected or thought valueless, but may be so combined and 
 iningled with other round-headed and oblong-headed trees, 
 as to produce very rich and pleasing effects. A tall larch or 
 two, or a few spruces, rising out of the centre of a group, 
 give it life and spirit, and add greatly, both by contrast 
 of form and colour, to the force of round-headed trees. A 
 stately and regular white pine, or hemlock, or a few thin 
 groups of the same trees, peeping out from amidst, or border- 
 ing, a large mass of deciduous trees, have great power in ad- 
 ding to the interest which the same awakens in the mind 
 of the spectator. Care must be taken, however, that the very 
 spirited effect which is here aimed at, is not itself defeated by 
 the over anxiety of the planter, who, in scattering too profuse- 
 ly these very strongly marked trees, makes them, at last, so 
 plentiful, as to give the whole a mingled and confused look ; 
 in which neither the graceful and sweeping outlines of the 
 round-headed, nor the picturesque summits of the spiry-topped 
 trees predominate ; as the former decidedly should, in all 
 scenes where the expression is not stronger than that of mere 
 graceful beauty. 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 109 
 
 The larch, to which we shall hereafter recur at some 
 length, may be considered one of the most picturesque trees 
 of this division ; and being more rapid in its growth than 
 most evergreens, it may be used as a substitute for, or in con- 
 junction with them, where effect is speedily desired. 
 
 Oblong-headed trees, show heads of foliage more length- 
 ened out, more formal, and generally more tapering, than 
 round-headed ones. They differ from spiry-top- 
 ped trees, in having upright branches, instead of 
 horizontal ones, and in forming a conical or pyra- 
 ^^hf,dcd Tre'es"! ' uiidal mass of foliage, instead of a spiry, tufted 
 one. They are mostly deciduous ; and approaching more 
 nearly to round-headed trees, than spiry-topped ones do, they 
 may perhaps be more frequently introduced. The Lombardy 
 poplar may be considered the representative of this division ; 
 as the oak is of the first, and the larch and fir of the second. 
 Abroad, the oriental cypress, an evergreen, is used, to pro- 
 duce similar effects in scenery. 
 
 The great use of the Lombardy poplar, and other similar 
 trees, in composition, is to relieve, or break into groups, large 
 masses of wood. This it does very efiectually, when its tall 
 summit rises at intervals from among round-headed trees, 
 forming pyramidal centres to groups, where there was only 
 a swelling and flowing outline. Formal rows, or groups of 
 oblong-headed trees, however, are tiresome and monotonous 
 to the last degree ; a straight line of them being scarcely bet- 
 ter in appearance, than a tall, stiff, gigantic hedge. Examples 
 of this can be easily found in many parts of the Union, where 
 the crude and formal taste of proprietors, by leading them to 
 plant long lines of Lombardy poplars, has had the effect of 
 destroying the beauty of many a fine prospect and building. 
 Conical, or oblong-headed trees, when carefully employed, 
 
110 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 are very effective for purposes of contrast^ in conjunction 
 with horizontal lines of buildings, such as we see in Grecian 
 or Italian architecture. Near such edifices, sparingly irir 
 traduced, and mingled, in small jiroportion, with round- 
 headed trees, they contrast advantageously with the long 
 cornices, flat roofs, and horizontal lines, that predominate in 
 their exteriors. Lombardy poplars are, often, thus introduced 
 in pictures of Italian scenery, where they sometimes break 
 the formality of a long line of wall, in the happiest manner. 
 Nevertheless, if they should be indiscriminately employed, 
 or even used in any considerable proportion, in the decora- 
 tion of the ground immediately adjoining a building of any 
 pretensions, they would inevitably defeat this purpose, and 
 by their tall and formal growth, diminish the apparent 
 magnitude, as well as the elegance of the house. 
 
 Drooping trees, though often classed with oblong-headed 
 trees, differ from them in so many particulars, that they 
 deserve to be ranked under a separate head. To this class 
 belong the weeping willow, the weeping birch, the drooping 
 elm, etc. Their prominent characteristics are gracefulness, 
 and elegance ; and we consider them as imfit, therefore, to 
 be employed, to any extent^ in scenes where it is desirable 
 to keep up the expression of a wild or highly picturesque 
 character. As single objects, or tastefully grouped in 
 graceful landscape, they are in excellent keeping, and 
 contribute much to give value to the leading expres- 
 sion. 
 
 When drooping trees are mixed indiscriminately with other 
 round-headed trees, in the composition of groups or masses, 
 much of their individual character is lost, as it depends, not 
 so much on the top, (as in oblong and spiry trees,) as upon the 
 side branches, which are, of course, concealed by those of the 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. Ill 
 
 adjoining trees. Drooping trees, therefore, as elms, birches, 
 etc., are shown to the best advantage on the borders of groups, 
 or the boundaries of plantations. It must not be forgotten, but 
 constantly kept in mind, that all strongly marked trees, like 
 bright colors m pictures, only admit of occasional employ- 
 ment ; and that the very object aimed at in introducing them, 
 will be defeated, if they are brought into the lawn and park 
 in masses, and distributed heedlessly on every side. An 
 English author very justly remarks, therefore, that the pop- 
 lar, the willow, and the drooping birch, are " most dangerous 
 trees in the hands of a planter who has not considerable 
 knowledge and good taste in the composition of a landscape." 
 Some of them, as the native elm, from their abounding in 
 our own woods, may appear oftener ; while others, which 
 have a peculiar and exotic look, as the weeping willow, 
 should only be seen in situations where they either do not 
 disturb the prevailing expression, or, (which is better,) where 
 they are evidently in good keeping. " The weeping willow," 
 says Gilpin, with his usual good taste, " is not adapted to 
 sublime objects. We wish it not to screen the broken but- 
 tress and Gothic windows of an abbey, or to overshadow the 
 battlements of a ruined castle. These offices it resigns to the 
 oak, whose dignity can support them. The weeping willow 
 seeks an humble scene, — some romantic footpath bridge, 
 which it half conceals, or some glassy pool over which it 
 hangs its streaming foliage, 
 
 ' And dips 
 
 Its pendant boughs, as if to drink.' "* 
 
 The manner in which a picturesque bit of landscape can 
 
 * Forest Scenery, p. 133. 
 
112 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 be supported by picturesque spiry-topped trees, and its ex- 
 pression degraded by the injudicious employment of grace- 
 ful drooping trees, will be apparent to the reader in the two 
 accompanying little sketches. In the first, (fig. 29,) the ab- 
 rupt hill, the rapid mountain torrent, 
 and the distant Alpine summits, are 
 in fine keeping with the tall spiry 
 larches and firs, which, shooting up 
 [Fig. 29? TvirTkeeiiing.] 0^ cithcr sldc of tho old bridge, oc- 
 cupy the foreground. In the second, (fig. 30,) there is evi- 
 dently something discordant in the scene, which strikes the 
 spectator, at first sight, this is the misplaced introduction of 
 the large willows, which belong to a scene very different in 
 character. Imagine a removal of the 
 surrounding hills, and let the rapid 
 stream spread out into a smooth 
 peaceful lake, with gradually retiring 
 [Fig. 30. Trees outof keeping.] shorcs, aud thc bluc summlts in the 
 distance, and then the willows will harmonize admirably. 
 
 Having now described the peculiar characteristics of these 
 different classes of round-headed, spiry-topped, oblong, and 
 drooping trees, we should consider the proper method by 
 which a harmonious combination of the different forms com- 
 posing them, may be made, so as not to violate correct princi- 
 ples of taste. An indiscriminate mixture of their different 
 forms would, it is evident, produce any thing but an agree- 
 able effect. For example, let a person plant together in a 
 group, three trees of totally opposite forms and expressions, 
 viz : a weeping willow, an oak, and a poplar ; and the expres- 
 sion of the whole would be destroyed by the confusion re- 
 sulting from their discordant forms. On the other hand, the 
 mixture of trees that exactly correspond in their forms, if 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 113 
 
 these forms, as in oblong or drooping trees, are similar, will 
 infallibly create sameness. In order then to produce beauti- 
 ful variety, which shall neither, on the one side, run into con- 
 fusion, nor on the other, verge into monotony, it is re- 
 quisite to give some little attention to the harmony of form 
 and colour in the composition of trees in artificial planta- 
 tions. 
 
 The only rules which we can suggest to govern the planter 
 are these : First, if a certain leading expression is desired in 
 a group of trees, together with as great a variety as possible, 
 such species must be chosen as harmonize with each other 
 in certain leading points. And, secondly, in occasionally 
 intermingling trees of opposite characters, discordance may 
 be prevented, and harmonious expression promoted, by in- 
 terposing other trees of an intermediate character. 
 
 In the first case, suppose it is desired to form a group 
 of trees, in which gracefulness must be the leading expres- 
 sion. The willow alone would have the effect ; but in 
 groups, willows alone produce sameness : in order, therefore, 
 to give variety, we must choose other trees which, while they 
 diifer from the willow in some particulars, agree in others. 
 The elm has much larger and darker foliage, while it has 
 also a drooping spray ; the weeping birch differs in its leaves, 
 but agrees in the pensile flow of its branches ; the common 
 birch has few pendant boughs, but resembles in the airy 
 lightness of its leaves ; and the three-thorned acacia, though 
 its branches are horizontal, as delicate foliage of nearly the 
 same hue and floating lightness as the willow. Here we 
 have a group of five trees, which is, in the whole, full of 
 gracefulness and variety, while there is nothing in the com- 
 position inharmonious to the practised eye. 
 
 To illustrate the second case, let us suppose a long sweep- 
 
 15 
 
114 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 ing outline of maples, birches, and other light, mellow-colour- 
 ed trees, which the improver wishes to vary, and break into 
 groups, by spiry topped, evergreen trees. It is evident, that 
 if these trees were planted in such a mamier as to peer ab- 
 ruptly out of the light-colored foliage of the former trees, 
 in dark, or almost black masses of tapering verdure, the effect 
 would be by no means so satisfactory and pleasing, as if there 
 were a partial transition from the mellow, pale-green of the 
 maples, etc., to the darker hues of the oak, ash, or beech, and 
 finally the sombre tint of the evergreens. Thus much for 
 the colouring ; and if, in addition to this, oblong-headed 
 trees, or pyramidal trees, were also placed near j^and partly 
 intermingled with the spiiy-topped ones, the unity of the 
 whole composition would be still more complete.* 
 
 Contrasts, again, are often admissible in woody scenery, 
 and we would not wish to lose many of our most superb 
 trees, because they could not be introduced in particular 
 portions of landscape. Contrasts in trees may be so violent 
 as to be displeasing ; as in the example of the groups of the 
 three trees, the willow, poplar, and oak : or they may be 
 such as to produce spirited and pleasing effects. This must 
 be effected by planting the different divisions of trees, first, 
 
 * We are persuaded that very few persons are aware of the beauty, varied and 
 endless, that may be produced by arranging trees with regard to their colouring. It 
 requires the eye and genius of a Claude, or a Poussin, to develope all these hidden 
 beauties of harmonious combination. Gilpin rightly says, in speaking of the dark 
 Scotch fir, " with regard to colour in general, I think I speak the language of paint- 
 ing, when I assert that the picturesque eye makes little distinction in this matter. 
 It has no attachment to one colour in preference to another, but considers the beauty 
 of all colouring as resulting, not from the colours themselves, but almost entirely 
 from their harmony with other colours in their neighbourhood. So that as the 
 Scotdh fir tree is combined or stationed, it forms a beautiful umbrage or a murky 
 spot." 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 
 
 115 
 
 in small leading groups, and then by effecting a union be- 
 tween the groups of different character, by intermingling 
 those of the nearest similarity into and near the groups : in 
 this way, by easy transitions from the drooping to the round- 
 headed, and from these to the tapering trees, the whole of 
 the foliage and forms, harmonize well. 
 
 [Pig. 31. Example in grouping. 3 
 
 " Trees," observes Mr. Whately, in his elegant treatise on 
 this subject, " which differ in but one of these circumstances, 
 of shape, green, or growth, though they agree in every other, 
 are sufficiently distinguished for the purpose of variety : if 
 they differ in two or three, they become contrasts : if in all, 
 they are opposite, and seldom group well together. Those, 
 on the contrary, which are of one character, and are distin- 
 guished only as the characteristic mark is strongly or faintly 
 impressed upon them, form a beautiful mass, and unity is 
 preserved without sameness."* 
 
 There is another circumstance connected with the colour 
 of trees, that will doubtless suggest itself to the improver of 
 taste, the knowledge of which may sometimes be turned to 
 valuable account. We mean the effects produced in the ap- 
 parent colouring of a landscape by distance, which painters 
 term aerial perspective. Standing at a certain position in a 
 
 * Observations on Modern Gardening. 
 
116 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 scene, the colouring is deep, rich, and full in the foreground, 
 more tender and mellow in the middle-ground, and softening 
 to a pale tint in the distance. 
 
 "Where to the eye three well marked distances 
 Spread their peculiar colouring, vivid green, 
 Warm brown, and black opake the foreground bears 
 Conspicuous : sober olive coldly marks 
 The second distance : thence the third declines 
 In softer blue, or lessening still, is lost 
 In fainted purple. When thy taste is call'd 
 To deck a scene where nature's self presents 
 All these distinct gradations, then rejoice 
 As does the Painter, and like him apply 
 Thy colours : plant thou on each separate part 
 Its proper foliage." 
 
 Advantage may occasionally be taken of this peculiarity in 
 the gradation of colour, in Landscspe Gardening, by the crea- 
 tion, as it were, of an artificial distance. In grounds and 
 scenes of limited extent, the apparent size and breadth may 
 be increased, by planting a majority of the trees in the fore- 
 ground, of dark tints, and the boundary with foliage of a much 
 lighter hue. In the same way, the apparent breadth of a piece 
 of water will be greatly added to, by placing the paler color- 
 ed trees on the shore opposite to the spectator. These hints 
 will suggest other ideas and examples of a similar nature, 
 to the minds of those who are alive to the more minute and 
 exquisite beauties of the landscape. 
 
 An acquaintance, individually, with the diiFerent species of 
 trees of indigenous and foreign growth, which may be culti- 
 vated with success in this climate, is absolutely essential to 
 the amateur, or the professor of Landscape Gardening. The 
 tardiness or rapidity of their growth, the periods at which 
 
ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 117 
 
 their leaves and flowers expand, the soils they love best, and 
 their various habits and characters, are all subjects of the high- 
 est interest to him. In short, as a love of the country almost 
 commences with a knowledge of its peculiar characteristics, 
 the pure air, the fresh enamelled turf, and the luxuriance and 
 beauty of the whole landscape ; so the taste for the embel- 
 lishment of Rural Residences, must grow out of an admiration 
 for beautiful trees, and the delightful effects they are capable 
 of producing in the hands of persons of taste, and lovers of 
 nature. 
 
 Admitting this, we think, in the comparatively meagre state 
 of general information on this subject among us, we shall 
 render an acceptable service to the novice, by giving a some- 
 what detailed description of the character and habits of most 
 of the finest hardy forest and ornamental trees. Among those 
 living in the country, there are many who care little for the 
 beauties of Landscape Gardening, who are yet interested in 
 those trees which are remarkable for the beauty of their 
 forms, their foliage, their blossoms, or their useful purposes- 
 This, we hope, will be a sufficient explanation for the ap- 
 parently disproportionate number of pages which we shall 
 devote to this part of our subject. 
 
118 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 SECTION IV. 
 
 DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. ^ 
 
 The History and Description of all the finest hardy Deciduous Trees. Remarks on theie 
 EFFECTS IN LANDSCAPK GARDENING, INDIYIDUALLT AND IN COMPOSITION. Their Cultiva- 
 tion, etc. The Oak. The Elm. The Ash. The Linden. The Beech. The Poplar. The 
 Horse-chestnut The Birch. The Alder. The Maple. The Locust The Three-thorned 
 Acacia. The Judas-tiee. The Chestnut The Osage Orange. The Mulberry. The Paper 
 Mulberry. The Sweet Gum. The Walnut The Hickory. The Mountain Ash. The 
 Ailantus. The Kentucky Coffee. The Willow. The Sassafras. The Catalpa. The 
 Persimon. The Pepperidge. The Thorn. The Magnolia. The Tulip. The Dogwood 
 TheSalisburia. The Paulonia. The Virgilia. The Cypress. The Larch, etc. 
 
 O gloriosi spiriti de gli boschi, 
 O Eco, o antri foschi, o chiare linfe, 
 O faretrate ninfe, o agresti Pani, 
 O Satiri e Silvani, o Faiini e Driadi, 
 Naiadi ed Amadriadi, o Semidee 
 
 Oreadi e Napee. — 
 
 Sannazzaro. 
 
 " O spirits of the woods, 
 Echoes and solitudes, and lakes of light ; 
 O quivered virgins bright, Pan's rustical 
 Satyrs and sylvans aU, dryads and ye 
 That up the mountains be ; and ye beneath 
 In meadow or in flowery heath. 
 
 The Oak. Quercus. 
 Nat. Ord. Corylaceae. Lin. Syst. Monoecia, Polyandria. 
 
 H E Arcadians believed the oak to have been 
 the first created of all trees ; and when we 
 consider its great and surpassing utility and 
 beauty, we are fully disposed to concede it 
 the first rank among the denizens of the forest. Springing 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 119 
 
 up with a noble trunk, and stretching out its broad limbs over 
 the soil, 
 
 "These monarchs of the wood, 
 Dark, gnarled, centennial oaks," 
 
 seem proudly to bid defiance to time ; and while generations 
 of man appear and disappear, they withstand the storms of a 
 thousand winters, and seem only to grow more venerable and 
 majestic. They are mentioned in the oldest histories ; we 
 are told that Absalom was caught by his hair in "the thick 
 boughs of a great oak ;" and Herodotus informs us that the 
 first oracle was that of Dodona, set up in the celebrated oak 
 grove of that name. There, at first, the oracles were de- 
 livered by the priestesses, but, as was afterwards believed, 
 by the inspired oaks themselves — 
 
 " Which in Dodona did enshrine, 
 So faith too fondly deemed, a voice divine." 
 
 Acorns, the fruit of the oak, appear to have been held in 
 considerable estimation as an article of food among the an- 
 cients. Not only were the swine fattened upon them, as in 
 our own forests, but they were ground into flour, with which 
 bread was made by the poorer classes. Lucretius mentions, 
 that before grain was known, they were the common food of 
 man ; but we suppose the fruit of the chestnut may also 
 have been included under that term. 
 
 "Thatoake whose acornes were our foode before 
 The Cerese seede of mortal man was knowne." 
 
 Spenser. 
 
 The civic crown, given in the palmy days of Rome, to the 
 most celebrated men, was also composed of oak leaves. 
 
 It should not be forgotten that the oak was worshipped by 
 the ancient Britons. Baal or Yiaoul, (whence Yule,) was the 
 
120 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 god of fire, whose symbol was an oak. Hence at his festival, 
 which was at Christmas, the ceremony of kindling the Yule 
 log was performed among the ancient Druids. This fire 
 was kept perpetual throughout the year and the hearths of all 
 the people were annually lighted from these sacred fires every 
 Christmas. We believe the curious custom is still extant in 
 some remote parts of England, where the " Yule log" is ush- 
 ered in with much glee and rejoicing once a year. 
 
 As an ornamental object, we consider the oak the most 
 majestic and picturesque of all deciduous trees. The enor- 
 mous size, and extreme old age to which it attains in a fa- 
 vourable situation, the great space of ground that it covers 
 with its branches, and the strength and hardihood of the tree, 
 all contribute to stamp it with the character of dignity and 
 grandeur beyond any other compeer of the forest. When 
 young, its fine foliage, (singularly varied in many of our na- 
 tive species,) and its thrifty form, render it a beautiful tree. 
 But it is not until the oak has attained considerable size, that 
 it displays its true character, and only when at an age that 
 would terminate the existence of most other trees, that it ex- 
 hibits all its magnificence. Then its deeply furrowed trunk 
 is covered with mosses, its huge branches, each a tree, spread- 
 ing out horizontally from the trunk with great boldness, its 
 trunk of huge dimension, and its " high top, bald with dry 
 antiquity ;" all these, its true characteristics, stamp the oak, 
 as Virgil has expressed it in his Georgics — 
 
 "Jove's own tree, 
 That holds the woods in awful sovereignty; 
 For length of ages lasts his happy reign, 
 And lives of mortal man contend in vain. 
 Full in the midst of his own strength he stands. 
 Stretching his brawny arms and leafy hands, 
 His shade protects the plains, his head the hills commands." 
 
 Dryden's Trans. 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 121 
 
 " The oak," says Gilpin, " is confessedly the most pictu- 
 resque tree in itself, and the most accommodating in compo- 
 sition. It refuses no subject, either in natural or in artificial 
 landscape. It is suited to the grandest and may with pro- 
 priety be introduced into the most pastoral. It adds' new- 
 dignity to the ruined tower, and the Gothic arch ; and by 
 stretching its wild, moss-grown branches athwart their ivied 
 walls, it gives them a kind of majesty coeval with itself; at 
 the same time, its propriety is still preserved if it throws its 
 arms over the purling brook or the mantling pool, where it 
 beholds 
 
 " Its reverend image in the expanse below." 
 
 Milton introduces it happily even in the lowest scene — 
 
 " Hard by a cottage chimney smokes, 
 From between two aged oaks." 
 
 The oak is not only one of the grandest and most pictu- 
 resque objects as a single tree upon a lawn, but it is equally 
 unrivalled for groups and masses. There is a breadth about 
 the lights and shadows reflected and embosomed in its foliage, 
 a singular freedom and boldness in its outline, and a pleasing 
 richness and intricacy in its huge ramification of branch and 
 limb, that render it highly adapted to these purposes. Some 
 trees, as the willow, or the spiry poplar, though pleasing 
 singly, are monotonous to the last degree when planted in 
 quantities. Not so, however, with the oak, as there is no 
 tree, when forming a wood entirely by itself, which affords 
 so great a variety of form and disposition, light and shade, 
 symmetry and irregularity, as this king of the forests. 
 
 To arrive at its highest perfection, ample space on every 
 side must be allowed the oak. A free exposure to the sun 
 
 16 
 
122 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 and air, and a deep, mellow soil, are highly necessary to its 
 fullest amplitude. For this reason, the oaks of our forests, 
 being thickly crowded, are seldom of extraordinary size ; and 
 there are more truly majestic oaks in the parks of England 
 than are to be found in the whole cultivated portion of the 
 United States. Here and there, however, throughout our 
 country, may be seen a solitary oak of great age and immense 
 size, which attest the fitness of the soil and climate, and dis- 
 play the grandeur of our native species. The Wadsworth 
 Oak, near Geneseo, N. Y. of extraordinary dimensions, the 
 product of one of our most fertile valleys, has attracted the 
 
 [Fig. 32. The Charier Oak, Hartford.] 
 
 admiration of hundreds of travellers, on the route to Niagara. 
 Its trunk measures thirty-six feet in circumference. The 
 celebrated Charter Oak at Hartford, which has figured 
 so conspicuously in the history of New-England, is still ex- 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 123 
 
 isting in a green old age, one of the most interesting monu- 
 ments of the past to be found in the country.* 
 
 Near the village of Flushing, Long Island, on the farm of 
 Judge Lawrence, is growing one of the noblest oaks in the 
 country. It is truly park-like in its dimensions, the circum- 
 ference of the trunk being nearly thirty feet, and its majestic 
 head, of corresponding dignity. In the deep alluvial soil of 
 the western valleys, the oak often assumes a grand aspect, 
 and bears witness to the wonderful fertility of the soil in 
 that region.! 
 
 * The house seen in the engraving represents the old "Wyllis House." This 
 family, its former occupants, furnished the Secretary of State for Connecticut for 
 more than a century. Near the Charter Oak, are some of the apple trees planted 
 bij the Pilgrims, evidently Pearmains. Some of these, lately felled, have been 
 examined, and are found to be more than 200 years old. 
 
 tThe following well authenticated description of a famous English oak, is 
 worth a record here. "Close by the gate of the water walk of Magdalen Col- 
 lege, Oxford, grew an oak which perhaps stood there a sapling when Alfred the 
 Great founded the University. This period only includes a space of 900 years, 
 which is no great age for an oak. About 500 years after the time of Alfred, Dr. 
 Stukely tells us, William of Waynefleet expressly ordered his college (Magda- 
 len College,) to be founded near the Great Oak ; and an oak could not, I think, 
 be less than 500 years of age to merit that title, together with the honour of fix- 
 ing the site of a college. When the magnificence of Cardinal Woolsey erected 
 that handsome tower which is so ornamental to the whole building, this tree 
 might probably be in the meridian of its glory. It was afterwards much injured 
 in the reign of Charles II., when the present walks were laid out. Its roots were 
 disturbed, and from that time it declined fast, and became a mere trunk. The 
 oldest members of the University can hardly recollect it in better plight ; but the 
 faithful records of history have handed down its ancient dimensions. Through 
 a space of 16 yards on every side it once flung its branches ; and under its mag- 
 nificent pavilion could have sheltered with ease 3000 men. In the summer of 
 1778, this magnificent ruin fell to the ground. From a part of its ruins, a chair 
 has been made for the President of the College, which will long continue its 
 memory." — Gilpin's Forest Scenery. 
 
 The King Oak, Windsor Forest, once the favourite tree of William the Con- 
 queror, is now more than 1000 years old, and the interior of the trunk is quite 
 hollow. Professor Burnet, who described it, lunched inside this tree with a party, 
 
124 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 As beauty is often closely connected in our minds with uti- 
 lity, we must be allowed a word on the great value of this tree. 
 For its useful properties the oak has scarcely any superior. 
 " To enumerate," says old Evelyn in his quaint Sylva, " the 
 incomparable uses of this wood were needless ; but so precious 
 was the esteem of it of old, there was an express law among 
 the Twelve Tables concerning the very gathering of the 
 acorns, though they should be found fallen on another man's 
 ground. The land and the sea do sufficiently speak for the 
 improvement of this excellent material, for houses and ships, 
 cities and navies, are builded with it." In almost all the 
 finest buildings of Europe, particularly, the vast Gothic edi- 
 fices of the middle ages, oak was the chief material for the 
 interior. The rich old wainscot, the innumerable carvings 
 and decorations of those days were executed in this material. 
 In America the vast pine forests produce a wood easily 
 wrought, which has in a great measure superseded the use 
 of this fine timber, and the exportation of immense quantities 
 of the former to the eastern continent, has even in some de- 
 gree lessened its consumption abroad. But for certain pur- 
 poses, where great strength and durability are required, the 
 oak will always take the precedence claimed for it by Eve- 
 
 and says it is capable of accomodating ten or twelve persons comfortably at dinner, 
 sitting. 
 
 The Beggar^s Oak, in Bagot's Park, is twenty feet in girth, five feet from the 
 ground. The roots rise above the surface in a very extraordinary manner, so as 
 to furnish a natural seat for the beggars chancing to pass along the pathway near 
 it; and the circumference taken there is 68 feet. The branches extend from 
 the tree 48 feet in every direction. 
 
 Tke Wallace Oak, at Edenslee, near where Wallace was born, is a noble tree 
 21 feet in circumference. It is 67 feet high, audits branches extend 45 feet east, 
 36 west, 30 south, and 25 north. Wallace and 300 of his men are said to have 
 hid themselves from the English among the branches of this tree, which was 
 then in full leaf. 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 125 
 
 lyn.* The English oak is probably rather superior in these 
 qualities to most of our American species ; but for ship-build- 
 ing, the Live oak of the southern states is not exceeded by 
 any timber in the world. 
 
 Different species of Oak. This country is peculiarly rich 
 in various kinds of oak ; Michaux enumerating no less than 
 forty species, indigenous to North America. Of these, the 
 most useful are the Live oak, ( Quercus virens,) of such ines- 
 timable value for ship-building ; the Spanish oak, ( Q. fal- 
 cata) ; the Red oak, ( Q. rubra), etc., the bark of which is ex- 
 tensively used in tanning ; the Q,uercitron or Black oak, which 
 is highly valuable, as affording a fine yellow or brown dye 
 for wool, silks, paper-hangings, etc. ; and the White oak, 
 which is chiefly used for timber. We shall here describe 
 only a few of those which are most entitled to the consider- 
 ation of the planter, either for their valuable properties, or 
 as ornamental trees, and calculated for planting in woods or 
 single masses. 
 
 The WTiite oak. {Quercus alba.) This is one of the most 
 common of the American oaks, being very generally distri- 
 buted over the country, from Canada to the southern states. 
 In good strong soils, it forms a tree 70 or 80 feet high, with 
 wide extending branches ; but its growth depends much upon 
 this circumstance. It may readily be known, even in winter, 
 by its whitish bark, and by the dry and withered leaves which 
 
 * The doors of the inner chapels of Westminster, it is stated, are of the same 
 age as the original building ; and as the original ancient edifice was founded in 
 611, they must consequently be more than 1200 years old. Professor Burnet 
 in his curious Amenitates Quercinea observes, that many of the stakes driven into, 
 the Thames, by the Ancient Britons, to impede the progress of Julius Csesar, are 
 in a good state of preservation, " having withstood the destroyer time nearly 
 2000 years." 
 
126 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 often hang upon this species through the whole of that season. 
 The leaves are about four inches wide, and six in length, 
 divided uniformly into rounded lobes without points ; these 
 lobes are deeper in damp soils. When the leaves first unfold 
 in the spring, they are downy beneath, but when fully grown, 
 they are quite smooth, and pale green on the upper surface, 
 and whitish or glaucous below. The acorn is oval, and the 
 cup somewhat flattened at the base. This is the most valua- 
 ble of all our native oaks ; immense quantities of the timber 
 being used for various purposes in building ; and staves of 
 the white oak, for barrels, are in universal use throughout the 
 Union. The great occasional size and fine form of this tree, 
 in some natural situations, prove how noble an object it would 
 always become when allowed to expand in full vigor and 
 majesty, in the open air and light of the park. It more 
 nearly approaches the English oak in appearance than any 
 other American species. 
 
 Rock Chestnut oak. ( Q. Prinus Monticola.) This is one of 
 the most ornamental of our oaks, and is found in considerable 
 abundance in the middle states. It has the peculiar advan- 
 tage of growing well on the most barren and rocky soils, and 
 can therefore be advantageously employed by the landscape 
 gardener, when a steep, dry, rocky bank is to be covered 
 with trees. In deep, mellow soil, its growth is wonderfully 
 vigorous, and it rapidly attains a height of 50 or 60 feet, 
 with a corresponding diameter. The head is rather more 
 symmetrical in form and outline, than most trees of this ge- 
 nus, and the stem in free, open places shoots up into a lofty 
 trunk. The leaves are five or six inches long, three or four 
 broad, oval, and uniformly denticulated, with the teeth more 
 regular but less acute than the Chestnut white oak. When 
 beginning to open in the spring, they are covered with a thick 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES, 127 
 
 down ; but when fully expanded, they are perfectly smooth, 
 and of a delicate texture. Michaux. 
 
 Chestnut White oak. ( Qnercus Prinus paliistris.) This 
 species much resembles the last, but differs in having longer 
 leaves, which are obovate, and deeply toothed. It is sparingly 
 found in the northern states, and attains its greatest altitude 
 in the south, where it is often seen 90 feet in height. Though 
 generally found in the neighbourhood of swamps and low 
 grounds, it grows with wonderful rapidity in a good, mode- 
 rately dry soil, and from the beauty of its fine spreading head, 
 and the quickness of its growth, is highly deserving of intro- 
 duction into our plantations. 
 
 The Yellow oak, ( Q. Prinus acuminata.) The Yellow 
 oak may be found scattered through our woods over nearly 
 the whole of the Union. Its leaves are lanceolate, and re- 
 gularly toothed, light green above, and whitish beneath; 
 the acorns small. It forms a stately tree, 70 feet high ; and 
 the branches are more upright in their growth, and more 
 clustering, as it were, round the central trunk, than other 
 species. The beauty of its long pointed leaves, and their pe- 
 culiar mode of growth, recommend it to mingle with other 
 trees, to which it will add variety. 
 
 The Pin oak. ( Q. paliistris.) The Pin oak forms a tree in 
 moist situations, varying in height from 60 to 80 feet. The 
 great number of small branches intermingled with the large 
 ones, have given rise to the name of this variety. It is a 
 hardy, free growing species, particularly upon moist soils. 
 Loudon considers it, from its "far-extending, drooping 
 branches, and light and elegant foliage," among the most 
 graceful of oaks. It is well adapted to small groups, and is 
 one of the most thrifty growing and easily obtained of all our 
 northern oaks. 
 
128 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 The Willow oak. ( Q. Phellos.) This remarkable species of 
 oak may be recognised at once by its narrow, entire leaves, 
 shaped almost like those of the willow, and about the same 
 size, though thicker in texture. It is not found wild north of 
 the barrens of New- Jersey, where it grows plentifully, but 
 thrives well in cultivation much farther north. The stem of 
 this tree is remarkably smooth in every stage of its growth. 
 It is so different in appearance and chaTacter from the other 
 species of this genus, that in plantations it would never be 
 recognised by a person not conversant with oaks, as one of the 
 family. It deserves to be introduced mto landscapes for its 
 singularity as an oak, and its lightness and elegance of foliage 
 individually. 
 
 The Mossy-cup oak. ( Q. olivcBformis.) This is so called 
 because the scales of the cups terminate in a long, moss- 
 like fringe, nearly covering the acorn. It is quite a rare 
 species, being only found on the upper banks of the Hudson, 
 and on the Genesee river. The foliage is fine, large, and 
 deeply cut, and the lower branches of the tree droop in a 
 beautiful manner when it has attained some considerable 
 size. Quercus macrocarpa, the Over-cup White oak, is 
 another beautiful kind found in the western states, which a 
 good deal resembles the Mossy-cup oak in the acorn. The 
 foliage, however, is uncommonly fine, being the largest in 
 size of any American species ; fifteen inches long, and eight 
 broad. It is a noble tree, with fine deep green foliage ; and 
 the growth of a specimen planted in our grounds has been 
 remarkably vigorous. 
 
 Scarlet oak. {Quercus coccinea.) A native of the mid- 
 dle states ; a noble tree, often eighty feet high. The leaves, 
 borne on long petioles, are a bright lively green on both 
 surfaces, with four deep cuts on each side, widest at the 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 129 
 
 bottom. The great and peculiar beauty of this tree, we con- 
 ceive to be its property of assuming a deep, scarlet tint in 
 autumn. At that period it may, at a great distance, be dis- 
 tinguished from all other oaks, and indeed from every other 
 forest tree. It is highly worthy of a place in every planta- 
 tion. 
 
 The Live oak. [Quercus virens.) This fine species 
 will not thrive north of Virginia. Its imperishable timber is 
 the most valuable in our forests ; and, at the south, it is a 
 fine park tree, when cultivated, growing about 40 feet high, 
 with, however, a rather wide and low head. The thick 
 oval leaves are evergreen, and it is much to be regretted 
 that this noble tree will not bear our northern winters. 
 
 The English Royal oak. ( Q. rohur.) This is the great 
 representative of the family in Europe, and is one of the 
 most magnificent of the genus, growing often in the fine old 
 woods and parks of England, to eighty and one hundred 
 feet in height. The branches spread over a great surface. 
 " The leaves are petiolated, smooth, and of a uniform color 
 on both sides, enlarged towards the summit, and very coarsely 
 toothed." As a single tree for park scenery, this equals 
 any American species in majesty of form, though it is 
 deficient in individual beauty of foliage to some of our oaks. 
 It is to be found for sale in our nurseries, and we hope will 
 become well known among us. The timber is closer 
 grained, and more durable, though less elastic than the best 
 American oak ; and Michaux, in his Sylva, recommends its 
 introduction into this country largely, on these accounts. 
 
 The Turkey oak. ( Q. Cerris.) There are two beautiful 
 hybrid varieties of this species, which have been raised in 
 England by Messrs. Lucombe and Fulham, which we hope 
 will yet be found in our ornamental plantations. They are 
 
 17 
 
130 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 partially evergreen in winter, remarkably luxuriant in their 
 growth, attaining a height of seventy or eighty feet, and ele- 
 gant in foliage and outline. The Lucombe and Fulham 
 oaks grow from one to five feet in a season ; the trees as- 
 sume a beautiful pyramidal shape, and as they retain their 
 fine glossy leaves till May, they would form a fine contrast 
 to other deciduous trees. 
 
 We might here enumerate a great number of other fine 
 foreign oaks ; among which, the most interesting are the 
 Holly or Holm oak, ( Quercus Ilex /) and the Cork oak, 
 (Q. tSube?',) of the south of France, which produces the 
 cork of commerce ; (both rather too tender for the north ;) 
 the Kermes oak, (Q. coccifera,) from which a scarlet dye is 
 obtained ; and the Italian Esculent oak, ( Q. Esculus,) with 
 sweet nutritious acorns. Those, however, who wish to in- 
 vestigate them, will pursue this subject farther in European 
 works ; while that splendid treatise on our forest trees, the 
 North American Sylva of Michaux, will be found to give 
 full and accurate descriptions of all our numerous indige- 
 nous varieties, of which many are peculiar to the southern 
 states. 
 
 The oak flourishes best on a strong loamy soil, rather 
 moist than dry. Here at least the growth is most rapid, 
 although, for timber, the wood is generally not so sound on a 
 moist soil as a dry one, and the tree goes to decay more 
 rapidly. Among the American kinds, however, some may 
 be found adapted to every soil and situation, though those 
 species which grow on upland soils, in stony, clayey, or 
 loamy bottoms, attain the greatest size and longevity. When 
 immense trees are desired, the oak should either be trans- 
 planted very young, or, which is preferable, raised from the 
 acorn sown where it is finally to remain. This is necessary 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 131 
 
 on account of the very large tap roots of this genus of trees, 
 which are either entirely destroyed or greatly injured by 
 removal. Transplanting this genus of trees should be per- 
 formed, either early in autumn, as soon as the leaves fall or 
 become brown, or in spring before the abundant rains 
 commence. 
 
 The Elm. Ulmus. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Ulmace^. Lin. SysL Pentandria, Digynia. 
 
 We have ascribed to the oak the character of pre-eminent 
 dignity and majesty among the trees of the forest. Let us 
 now claim for the elm the epithets graceful and elegant. 
 This tree is one of the noblest in the size of its trunk, while 
 the branches are comparatively tapering and slender, forming 
 themselves, in most of the species, into long and graceful 
 cm'ves. The flowers are of a chocolate or purple colour, and 
 appear in the month of April, before the leaves. The latter 
 are light and airy, of a pleasing light green in the spring, 
 growing darker, however, as the season advances. The elm 
 is one of the most common trees in both continents, and has 
 been well known for its beauty and usefulness since a remote 
 period. In the south of Europe, particularly in Lombardy, 
 elm trees are planted in vineyards, and the vines are trained 
 in festoons from tree to tree, in the most picturesque manner. 
 Tasso alludes to this in the following stanzas : 
 
 " Come olmo, a cui la pampinosa pianta 
 Cupida s'avviticchi e si marite ; 
 Se ferro il tronca, o fulmine lo schianta 
 Trae seco a terra la compagna vite." 
 
 Gerusalemme Liberata, 2. 326. 
 
 It is one of the most common trees for public walks and 
 
132 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 avenues, along the highways in France and Germany, grow- 
 ing with great rapidity, and soon forming a widely extended 
 shade. In Europe, the elm is much used for keels in ship- 
 building, and is remarkably durable in water ; more exten- 
 sive use is made of it there than of the American kinds in 
 this country, though the wood of the Red American elm is 
 more valuable than any other in the United States for the 
 blocks used in ship rigging. 
 
 For its graceful beauty, the elm is entitled to high regard. 
 Standing alone as a single tree, or in a group of at most three 
 or four in number, it developes itself in all its perfection. 
 The White American elm we consider the most beautiful of 
 the family, and to this we more particularly allude. In 
 such situations as we have just mentioned, this tree de- 
 velopes its fine ample form in the most picturesque manner. 
 Its branches first spring up, embracing the centre, then bend 
 off in finely diverging lines, until, in old trees, they often 
 sweep the ground with their loose pendant foliage. With 
 all this lightness and peculiar gracefulness of form, it is by 
 no means a meagre looking tree in the body of its foliage, as 
 its thick tufted masses of leaves reflect the sun, and em- 
 bosom the shadows as finely as almost any other tree, the 
 oak excepted. We consider it peculiarly adapted for plant- 
 ing, in scenes where the expression of elegant or classical 
 beauty is desired. In autmmi the foliage assumes a lively 
 yellow tint, contrasting well with the richer and more glow- 
 ing colours of our native woods. Even in winter it is a 
 pleasing object, from the minute division of its spray, and 
 the graceful droop of its branches. It is one of the most 
 generally esteemed of our native trees for ornamental pur- 
 poses, and is as great a favourite here as in Europe, for 
 planting in public squares, and along the highways. Beau- 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 133 
 
 tiful specimens may be seen in Cambridge, Mass., and very 
 fine avenues of this tree are growing with great kixnriance 
 in and about New Haven.* The charming villages of New- 
 England, among which Northampton and Springfield are pre- 
 eminent, borrow from the superb and wonderfully luxuriant 
 elms, which decorate their fine streets and avenues, the 
 greater portion of their peculiar loveliness. The elm should 
 not be chosen where large groups and masses are required, 
 as the similarity of its form in different individuals, might 
 then create a monotony ; but, as we have before observed, it 
 is peculiarly well calculated for small groups, or as a single 
 object. The roughness of the bark contrasting with the 
 lightness of its foliage, and the easy sweep of its branches, 
 adds much also to its effect as a whole. 
 
 We shall briefly describe the principal species of the elm. 
 
 The American White elm. ( Ulmtis Americana.) This is 
 the best known, and most generally distributed, of our native 
 species, growing in greater or less profusion, over the whole 
 of the country included between Lower Canada and the 
 Gulf of Mexico. It often reaches 80 feet in height in fine 
 soils, with a diameter of 4 or 5 feet. The leaves are alter- 
 nate, 3 or 4 inches long, unequal in size at the base, borne on 
 petioles half an inch to an inch in length, oval, accuminate, 
 and doubly denticulated. The seeds are contained in a flat, 
 oval, winged seed-vessel, fringed with small hairs on the 
 margin. The flowers, of a dull purple colour, are borne in 
 small bunches on short footstalks, at the end of the branches, 
 and appear very early in the spring. This tree prefers a 
 deep rich soil, and grows with greater luxuriance if it be 
 rather moist, often reaching, in such situations, an altitude 
 
 *The great elm of Boston Common is 22 feet in circumference. 
 
134 LANDSCAPE CxARDENING. 
 
 of nearly 100 feet. It is found in the greatest perfection in 
 the alluvial soils of the fertile valleys of the Connecticut, 
 the Mississippi, and Ohio Rivers. 
 
 The Red or Slippery elm. ( U. fulva.) A tree of lower 
 size than the White elm, attaining generally only 40 or 50 
 feet. According to Michaux, it may be distinguished from 
 the latter even in winter, by its buds, which are larger and 
 rounder, and which are covered a fortnight before their de- 
 velopment, with a russet down. The leaves are larger, 
 rougher, and thicker than those of the White elm ; the seed- 
 vessels larger, destitute of fringe ; the stamens short, and of 
 a pale rose colour. This tree bears a strong likeness to the 
 Dutch elm, and the bark abounds in mucilage, whence the 
 name of Slippery elm. The branches are less drooping than 
 those of the White elm. 
 
 The Wahoo elm, ( U. alata,) is not found north of Vir- 
 ginia. It may at once be known in every stage of its growth, 
 by the fungous cork-like substance which lines the branches 
 on both sides. It is a very singular and curious tree, of 
 moderate stature, and grows rapidly and well when cultivated 
 in the northern states. 
 
 The common European elm. ( U. campestris.) This is 
 the most commonly cultivated forest tree in Europe, next to 
 the oak. It is a more upright growing tree than the White 
 elm, though resembling it in the easy disposition and delicacy 
 of its branches. The flowers, of a purple colour, are pro- 
 duced in round bunches, close to the stem. The leaves are 
 rough, doubly serrated, and much more finely cut than those 
 of our elms. It is a fine tree, 60 or 70 feet high, growing 
 with rapidity, and is easily cultivated. The timber is more 
 valuable than the American sort, though the tree is inferior 
 to the White elm in beauty. There are some dozen or 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 135 
 
 more fine varieties of this species, cultivated in the English 
 nurseries ; among which the most remarkable are the Twisted 
 elm, ( U. c. tortuosa,) the trunk of which is singularly mark- 
 ed with hollows and protuberances, and the grain of the wood 
 curiously twisted together : the Kidbrook elm, ( U. c. vireiis,) 
 which is a sub-evergreen : the Gold and Silver striped elms, 
 with variegated leaves, and the Narrow-leaved elm, ( U. c. vi- 
 tninalis,) which resembles the birch : the Cork-barked elm, 
 {U c. suherosa^) the young branches of which are covered 
 with cork, etc. 
 
 The Scotch or Wych elm. ( U. montana.) This is a tree 
 of lower stature than the common European elm, its average 
 height being about 40 feet. The leaves are broad, rough, 
 pointed, and the branches extend more horizontally, droop- 
 ing at the extremities. The bark on the branches is com- 
 paratively smooth. It is a grand tree, " the head is so finely 
 massed, and yet so well broken, as to render it one of the 
 noblest of park trees ; and when it grows wild amid the 
 rocky scenery of its native Scotland, there is no tree which 
 assumes so great or so pleasing a variety of character."* In 
 general appearance, the Scotch elm considerably resembles 
 our White elm, and it is a very rapid grower. Its most orna- 
 mental varieties are the Spiry-topped elm, ( U. m. fastigia- 
 ta,) with singularly twisted leaves, and a very upright 
 growth : the weeping Scotch elm, ( U. m. pendula,) a very 
 remarkable variety, the branches of which droop in a fan- 
 like manner : and the Smooth-leaved Scotch elm, ( U. m. 
 glabra.) 
 
 There is scarcely any soil to which some of the different 
 elms are not adapted. The European species prefer a deep, 
 
 * Sir Thos. Lander, in Gilpin, 1. 91. 
 
136 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 dry soil, the Scotch or Wych elm, will thrive well even in 
 very rocky places ; and the White elm grows readily in 
 all soils, but most luxuriantly in moist places. All the 
 species attain their maximum size when planted in a deep 
 loam, rather moist than dry. They bear transplanting re- 
 markably well, suffering but little even from the mistaken 
 practice of those persons who reduce them, in transplanting, 
 to the condition of bare poles, as they shoot out a new crop 
 of branches, and soon become beautiful yomig trees, in spite 
 of the mal-treatment. As the elm scarcely produces a tap 
 root, even large trees may be removed, when the operation 
 is skilfully performed. In such cases, the recently-moved 
 tree should be carefully and plentifully supplied with water, 
 until it is well established in its new situation. The elm is 
 also easily propagated by seed, layers, or, in some species, by 
 suckers from the root. 
 
 The Plane or Buttonwood Tree. Platanus. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Platanacese. Lin. Syst. MoncEcia, Polyandria. 
 
 The plane, Platanus^ derives its name from it'^arvg, broad, 
 on account of the broad, umbrageous nature of its branches. 
 It is a well known tree of the very largest size, common to 
 both hemispheres, and greatly prized for the fine shade 
 afforded by its spreading head, in the warmer parts of Europe 
 and Asia. No tree was in greater esteem with the ancients 
 for this purpose ; and we are told that the Academic groves, 
 the neighbourhood of the public schools, and all those favour- 
 ite avenues where the Grecian philosophers were accustomed 
 to resort, were planted with these trees ; and beneath their 
 shade Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates, delivered the choicest 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 137 
 
 wisdom and eloquence of those classic days. The Eastern 
 plane, {Plata7ius orientalis,) was first brought to the Roman 
 provinces from Persia, and so highly was it esteemed, that? 
 according to Pliny, the Morini paid a tribute to Rome for the 
 privilege of enjoying its shade. To that author we are also 
 indebted for the history of the great plane tree that grew 
 in the province of Lycia, which was of so huge a size, that 
 the governor of the province, Licinius Mutianus, together 
 with eighteen of his retinue, feasted in the hollow of its 
 trunk. 
 
 In the United States, the plane is not generally found 
 growing in great quantities in any one place, but is more or 
 less scattered over the whole country. In deep, moist, allu- 
 vial soils, it attains a size, scarcely, if at all, inferior to that of 
 the huge trees of the eastern continent ; forming at least, in 
 the body of its trunk, a larger circumference than any other 
 of our native trees. The younger Michaux {Sylva,) 1, 325,) 
 measured a tree near Marietta, Ohio, which at four feet 
 from the ground was found to be forty-seven feet in cir- 
 cumference ; and a specimen has lately been cut on the 
 banks of the Grenesee river, of such enormous size, that a 
 section of the trunk was hollowed out, and furnished as a 
 small room, capable of containing fourteen persons.* On the 
 margins of the great western rivers, it sometimes rises up 
 seventy feet, and then expands into a fine, lofty head, surpas- 
 sing in grandeur all its neighbours of the forest. The large 
 branches of the plane shoot out in a horizontal direction ; the 
 tnmk generally ascending in a regular, stately, and uninter- 
 rupted manner. The blossoms are small greenish balls ap- 
 
 * A buttonwood on the Montezuma estate, JefTerson, Cayuga Co., N. Y., is forty- 
 seven and a half feet in circumference ; and the diameter of the hollow two 
 feet from the ground, is fifteen feet. {N. Y. Med. Repository, IV. 427.) 
 
 18 
 
138 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 pearing in spring, and the fertile ones grow to an inch in 
 diameter, assuming a deep brownish colour, and hang upon 
 the tree during the whole winter. A striking and peculiar 
 characteristic of the plane, is its property of throwing off or 
 shedding continually the other coating of bark here and there 
 in patches. Professor Lindley {Introduction to the Natural 
 System, 2d ed. 187,) says this is owing to its deficiency in the 
 expansive power of the fibre common to the bark of other 
 trees, or, in other words, to the rigidity of its tissue : being 
 therefore incapable of stretching with the growth of the tree, 
 it bursts open on difierent parts of the trunk, and is cast off. 
 This gives the trimk quite a lively and picturesque look, 
 extending more or less even to the extremity of the branches, 
 and makes this tree quite conspicuous in winter. Bryant, 
 in his address to Green River says : 
 
 " Clear are the depths where its eddies play, 
 And dimples deepen and whirl away, 
 And the plane tree's speckled arms o'ershoot 
 The swifter current that mines its root." 
 
 The great merit of the plane or buttonwood, is its extreme 
 vigour and luxuriance of growth. In a good soil, it will rea- 
 dily reach a height of thirty-five or forty feet in ten years. It 
 is easily transplanted ; and in new residences, bare of trees, 
 where an effect is desired speedily, we know of nothing better 
 adapted quickly to produce abundance of foliage, shelter, and 
 shade. \\Tien the requisite foliage is obtained, and other 
 trees of slower growth have reached a proper size, the former 
 may be thinned out. As the plane tree grows to the largest 
 size, it is only proper for situations where there is consider- 
 able ground, and where it can, without inconvenience to its 
 fellows, have ample room for its full development. Then 
 soaring up, and extending its wide-spread branches on 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 139 
 
 every side, it is certainly a very majestic tree. The colour 
 of the foliage is of a paler green than is usual in forest trees ; 
 and although of large size, is easily wafted to and fro by 
 the wind, thereby producing an agreeable diversity of light, 
 pleasing to the eye in summer. In winter, the branches are 
 beautifully hmig, even to their farthest ends, with the nu- 
 merous round russet-balls, or seed-vessels, each suspended 
 by a slender cord, and swinging about in the air. The out- 
 line of the head is pleasingly irregular, and its foliage against 
 a sky outline, is bold and picturesque. It is not a tree to be 
 planted in thick groves by itself, but to stand alone and de- 
 tached, or in a group with^two or three. In avenues it is often 
 happily employed, and produces a grand effect. It also grows 
 with great vigour in close cities, as some superb^specimens 
 in the square of the State-house, Pennsylvania Hospital, and 
 other places in Philadelphia, fully attest. 
 
 There is but a trifling difference in general effect between 
 our plane or buttonwood, and the Oriental plane. For the 
 purposes of shade and shelter, the American is the finest, as 
 its foliage is the longest and broadest. The Oriental plane, 
 {Platanus orientalis,) has the leaves lobed like our native 
 kind, (P. occidentalis,) but the segments are much more 
 deeply cut ; the footstalks of its leaves are green, while those 
 of the American are of a reddish hue, and the fruit or ball is 
 much smaller and rougher on the outer surface when fully 
 grown. Both species are common in the nurseries, and are 
 worthy the attention of the planter ; the Oriental, as well for 
 the interesting associations connected with it, being the 
 favourite shade-tree of the east, etc., as for its intrinsic 
 merits as a lofty and majestic tree. 
 
 Two of the varieties of P. occidentalis are sometimes culti- 
 
140 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 vated, the chief of which is the Maple-leaved plane, (P. O. 
 acerifolia.) 
 
 The Ash Tree. Fraxinus. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Oleaceae. Lin. Syst. Polygamia, Dicecia. 
 
 The name of the ash, one of the finest and most useful 
 of forest trees, is probably derived from the Celtic asc, a 
 pike — as its wood was formerly in common use for spears 
 and other weapons. Homer informs us that Achilles was 
 slain with an ashen spear. In modern times, the wood is in 
 universal use for the various implements of husbandry, for 
 the different purposes of the wheelwright and carriage-maker, 
 and in short, for all purposes where great strength and elas- 
 ticity are required ; for in these qualities the ash is second to 
 no tree in the forest, the hickory alone excepted. The ash 
 is a large and lofty tree, growing, when surrounded by other 
 trees, sixty ^or seventy feet high, and three or more in diame- 
 ter. When exposed on all sides, it forms a fine, romid, com- 
 pact head of loose, pinnated, light green foliage, and is one 
 of the most vigorous growers among the hard-wooded trees. 
 The American species of ash are fomid in the greatest luxu- 
 riance and beauty on the banks and margins of rivers, where 
 the soil is partially dry, yet where the roots can easily pene- 
 trate down to the moisture. The European ash is remarka- 
 ble for its hardy nature, being often found in great vigour 
 on steep rocky hills, and amid crevices where most other 
 trees flourish badly. Southey alludes to this in the following 
 lines : 
 
 " Gray as the stone to which it clung, half root, 
 Half trunk, the young ash rises from the rock." 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 141 
 
 As the ash grows strongly, and the roots, which extend to 
 a great distance, ramify near the surface, it exhausts the soil 
 underneath and aroimd it to an astonishing degree. For this 
 reason, the grass is generally seen in a very meagre and starved 
 condition in a lawn where the ash tree abounds. Here and 
 there a single tree of the ash will have an excellent effect, 
 seen from the windows of the house ; but we would chiefly 
 employ it for the grand masses, and to intermingle with other 
 large groups of trees in an extensive plantation. When the 
 ash is yomig, it forms a well-rounded head ; but when older, 
 the lower branches bend towards the ground, and then slightly 
 turn up in a very graceful manner. We take pleasure in 
 quoting what that great lover, and accurate delineator of for- 
 est beauties, Mr. Gilpin, says of the ash. " The ash gene- 
 rally carries its principal stem higher than the oak, and rises 
 in an easy flowing line. But its chief beauty consists in the 
 lightness of its whole appearance. Its branches at first keep 
 close to the trunk, and form acute angles with it ; but as 
 they begin to lengthen, they generally take an easy sweep, 
 and the looseness of the leaves corresponding with the light- 
 ness of the spray, the whole forms an elegant, depending 
 foliage. Nothing can have a better effect than an old 
 ash hanging from the corner of a wood, and bringing off 
 the heaviness of the other foliage with its loose pendant 
 branches." — {Forest Scenery^ p. 82.) 
 
 The highest and most characteristic beauty of the Ameri- 
 can White ash (and we consider it the finest of all the species,) 
 is the colouring which its leaves put on in autumn. Gilpin 
 complains that the leaf of the European ash " decays in a 
 dark, muddy, unpleasing tint." Not so the White ash. In an 
 American wood, such as often lines and overhangs the banks 
 of the Hudson, the Connecticut, and many of our noble north- 
 
142 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 em streams, the ash assumes peculiar beauty in autumn, 
 when it can often be distinguished from the surrounding 
 trees for four or five miles, by the peculiar and beautiful 
 deep brownish-purple of its fine mass of foliage. This 
 colour, though not lively, is so full and rich as to produce 
 the most pleasing harmony with the bright yellows and reds 
 of the other deciduous trees, and .the deep green of the 
 pines and cedars. 
 
 The ash, unlike the elm, starts into vegetation late in the 
 spring, which is an objection to planting it in the immediate 
 vicinity of the house. In winter, the long grayish- white, or 
 ash-coloured branches, are pleasing in tint, compared with 
 those of other deciduous trees. 
 
 The White ash. {Fraxinus Americana.) This species, 
 according to Michaux, is common to the colder parts of the 
 Union, and is most abundant north of the Hudson. It owes 
 its name to the light colour of the bark, which on large stocks 
 is deeply furrowed, and divided into squares of one to three 
 inches in diameter. The trunk is perfectly straight, and in 
 close woods is often undivided to the height of more than 40 
 feet. The leaves are composed of three or four pairs of leaf- 
 lets, terminated by an odd one ; the whole twelve or fourteen 
 inches long. Early in spring they are covered with a light 
 down, which dissappears as summer advances, when they 
 become quite smooth, of a light green colour above, and 
 whitish beneath. The foliage, as well as the timber of our 
 White ash, is finer than that of the common European ash, 
 and the tree is much prized in France and Germany. 
 
 The Black ash, {F. sambucifolia,) sometimes called the 
 Water ash, requires a moist soil to thrive well, and is seen in 
 the greatest perfection on the borders of swamps. Its buds 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 143 
 
 are of a deep blue ; the young shoots of a bright green, sprink- 
 led with dots of the same colour, which disappear as the sea- 
 son advances. It may readily be distinguished from the 
 White ash by its bark, which is of a duller hue, and less 
 deeply furrowed. The Black ash is altogether a tree of less 
 stature than the preceding. 
 
 The other native sorts are the Red ash, [F. tomentosa,) 
 with the bark of a deep brown tint, fomid in Pennsylvania : 
 the Green ash, [F. viridis,) which also grows in Pennsyl- 
 vania, and is ]-emarkable for the brilliant green of both sides 
 of the leaves : the Blue ash, {F. quadrangulata,) a beau- 
 tiful tree of Kentucky, 70 feet high, distinguished by the four 
 opposite membranes of a greenish colour, found on the young 
 shoots: and the Carolina ash, {F. plati/carpa^) a small 
 tree, the leaves of which are covered with a thick down in 
 spring. 
 
 The common European ash, [F. excelsior^) strongly resem- 
 bles the White ash. It may, however, easily be known by its 
 very black buds, and longer, more serrated leaflets, which 
 are sessile, instead of being furnished with petioles like the 
 White ash. This fine tree, as well as the White ash, grows 
 to 80 or 90 feet in height, with a very handsome head. 
 
 The Weeping ash, fig. 33, is a very remarkable variety of 
 the European ash, with pendulous or weeping branches ; 
 and is worthy a place in every lawn, for its curious ramifica- 
 tion, as well as for its general beauty. It is generally 
 propagated by grafting on any common stock as the White 
 ash, 7 or 8 feet high, when the branches immediately begin 
 to turn down in a very striking and peculiar manner. The 
 droop of the branches is hardly a graceful one, yet it is so 
 unique, either when leafless, or in full foliage, that it has long 
 been one of our greatest favourites. 
 
144 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 [Pig. 33. Tbe Weeping Ash.] 
 
 The Flowering ash, {Fraxinus Ornus*) is a small tree, of 
 about 20 feet, growing plentifully in the south of Europe, and 
 is also found sparingly in this country. Its chief beauty lies 
 in the beautiful clusters of pale or greenish-white flowers, 
 borne on the terminal branches in May and June. The fo- 
 liage and general appearance of the tree, are much like those 
 of the common ash ; but when in blossom, it resembles a 
 good deal the Carolina Fringe tree. In Italy, a gummy 
 substance called manna, exudes from the bark, which is used 
 m medicine. 
 
 The Lime or Linden Tree. Tilia. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Tilaceae. Lin. Syst. Polyandria, Monogynia. 
 
 This tree, or rather the American sort, is well known 
 
 * Ornus EuropeBus of Persoon, and the European botanists. Beck remarks that 
 the American kind is so litle known, that it is difficult to determine whether it is 
 a diflTerent species, or only a mere variety of the European 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 145 
 
 among us by the name oihasswood. It is a rapidly growing, 
 handsome, upright, and regularly shaped tree ; and all the 
 species are much esteemed, both in Europe and this country, 
 for planting in avenues and straight lines, wherever the taste 
 is in favour of geometric plantations. In Germany and Hol- 
 land, it is a great favourite for bordering their wide and 
 handsome streets, and lining their long and straight canals. 
 "In Berlin," Granville says in his travels, "there is a 
 celebrated street called ^unter der Linden,^ (under the lime 
 trees,) a gay and splendid avenue, planted with double rows 
 of this tree, which presented to my view a scene far more 
 beautiful than I had hitherto witnessed in any town, either in 
 France, Flanders, or Germany." In this country, the Euro- 
 pean lime is also much planted in our cities ; and some ave- 
 nues of it may be seen in Philadelphia, particularly before 
 the State-house in Chestnut-street. The basswood is a very 
 abundant tree in some parts of the middle states, and is seen 
 growing in great profusion, forming thick woods by itself, in 
 the interior of this state. With us, the wood is consid" 
 ered too soft to be of much value, but in England it was for- 
 merly in high repute as an excellent material for the use of 
 carvers. Some very beautiful specimens of old carving in 
 lime wood, may be seen in Windsor Castle and Trinity 
 College.* The Russian bass mats, which find their way to 
 
 ♦ " The art of carving in wood, brought to such perfection by Gibbons, is now, 
 we believe, much given up ; therefore, the lime has lost a most important branch 
 of its usefulness. Perhaps the finest specimens of the works of Gibbons are to be 
 seen at Chatsworth, the seat of the duke of Devonshire, in Derbyshire. The 
 execution of the flowers, fish, game, nets, etc., on the panelling of the walls, is 
 quite wonderful. It was of him that Walpole justly said, ' that he was the first 
 artist who gave to wood the loose and airy lightness of flowers, and chained 
 together the various productions of the elements, with a free disorder natural to 
 each species.' The lime tree is still, however, used by the carver, and we hope 
 that the art of wood carving may gradually be restored." — Sir T. D. Lander. 
 
 19 
 
146 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 every commercial country, are prepared from the inner bark 
 of this tree. The sap affords a sugar Hke the maple, although 
 in less quantities ; and it is stated in the Encyclopaedia 
 of Plants, (p. 467,) " that the honey made from the flowers 
 of the lime tree is reckoned the finest in the world. Near 
 Knowno, in Lithuania, there are large forests chiefly of 
 this tree, and probably a distinct variety. The honey pro- 
 duced in these forests sells at more than double the price of 
 any other, and is used extensively in medicine and for 
 liqueurs." 
 
 The leaves of the lime are large and handsome, heart- 
 shaped in form, and pleasing in colour. The flowers, which 
 open in June, hang in loose, pale yellow cymes or clusters, 
 are quite ornamental, and very fragrant. 
 
 Sometimes 
 
 A scent of violets, and blossoming limes 
 Loitered around us; then of honey cells, 
 Made delicate from all white flower bells. 
 
 Keats. 
 
 It was a favourite tree in the ancient style of gardening, 
 as it bore the shears well, and was readily clipped into all 
 manner of curious and fantastic shapes. When planted 
 singly on a lawn, and allowed to develop itself fully on 
 every side, the linden is one of the most beautiful of trees. 
 Its head then forms a fine pyramid of verdure, while its 
 lower branches sweep the ground, and curve upward in the 
 most pleasing form. For this reason though the linden is 
 not a picturesque tree, it is very happily adapted for the 
 graceful landscape, as its whole contour is full, flowing, and 
 agreeable. The pleasant odour of its flowers, is an ad- 
 ditional recommendation, as well as its free growth and 
 handsome leaves. Were it not that of late, it is so liable to 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 147 
 
 insects, we could hardly say too much in its praise as a fine 
 ornament for streets and public parks. There, its regular 
 form corresponds well with the formality of the architecture ; 
 its shade affords cool and pleasant walks, and the delightful 
 odour of its blossoms is doubly grateful in the confined air 
 of the city. Our basswood has rather less of uniformity in 
 its outline than the European lindens, but the general form 
 is the same. 
 
 The American lime, or basswood, ( Tilia Americana,) is 
 the most robust tree of the genus, and produces much more 
 vigorous shoots than the European species. It prefers a deep 
 and fertile soil, where the trunk grows remarkably straight, 
 and the branches form a handsome well-rounded summit. 
 The flowers are borne on long stalks, and are pendulous 
 from the branches. The leaves are large, heart-shaped, finely 
 cut on the margin, and terminated by a point at the extremity. 
 The seeds, which ripen in autumn, are like small peas, round 
 and grayish. 
 
 The white lime, ( T. alba,) is rare in the eastern states, but 
 common in Pennsylvania and the states south of it. It is 
 not a tree of the largest size, but its flowers are the finest of 
 our native sorts. The leaves are also very large, deep green 
 on the upper surface, and white below ; they are more ob- 
 liquely heart-shaped than those of the common basswood. 
 The young branches are covered with a smooth silvery 
 bark. This species is very common on the Susquehannah 
 River. 
 
 The Downy lime tree. ( T. pubescens.) The under side 
 of the leaves, and the fruits of this species, are, as its name 
 denotes, covered with a short down. Its flowers are nearly 
 white ; the serratures of the leaves wider apart, and the base 
 of the leaf obliquely truncated. It is a handsome large tree, 
 
148 LANDSCAPE GARDENING, 
 
 a native of Florida, though hardy enough, as experience 
 proves, to bear our northern wmters. 
 
 The European Ume, ( T. Europcea,) is distinguished from 
 the American sorts, by its smaller and more regularly cordate 
 and rounded leaves. Unlike our native species, the flowers 
 are not furnished with inner scale-like petals. The foliage 
 is rather deeper in hue than the native sorts, and the branches 
 of the head rather more regular in form and disposition. 
 There are two pretty varieties of the English lime which are 
 well known in this country, viz : the Red-barked, or corallina, 
 {var. rubra,) with red branches ; and the Golden-barked, {var. 
 aurea,) with handsome yellow branches. These trees are 
 peculiarly beautiful in winter, when a few of them mingled 
 with other deciduous trees make a pleasing variety of colour- 
 ing in the absence of foliage. The broad-leaved European 
 lime, is the finest for shade and ornament. The whitish 
 foliage of Tilia alba, which probably is also a variety, has 
 a beautiful appearance, somewhat like the Abele tree, in a 
 gentle breeze. 
 
 These trees grow well on any good friable soil, and readily 
 endure transplantation. They bear trimming remarkably 
 well ; and when but little root is obtained the head may be 
 shortened in proportion, and the tree will soon make vigor- 
 ous shoots again. All the species are easily increased by 
 layers. 
 
 The Beech Tree. Fagus. 
 Nat. Ord. CorylaceBe Lin. Syst. MoncEcia, Polyandria. 
 
 The beech is a large, compact, and lofty tree, with a gray- 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 149 
 
 ish bark and finely divided spray, and is a common inhabi- 
 tant of the forest in all temperate climates. In the United 
 States, this tree is generally found congregated in very great 
 quantities, wherever the soil is most favourable ; hundreds 
 of acres being sometimes covered with this single kind of tim- 
 ber. §uch tracts are familiarly laiown as " beech woods." 
 The leaves of the beech are remarkably thin in texture, 
 glazed and shining on the upper surface, and so thickly set 
 upon the numerous branches, that it forms the darkest and 
 densest shade of any of our deciduous forest trees. It ap- 
 pears to have been highly valued by the ancients as a shade 
 tree ; and Virgil says in its praise, in a well-known Eclogue : 
 
 " Tityre, tu, patulse recubans sub tegmine fagi, 
 Sylvestrem tenui musam meditaris avena." 
 
 It bears a small compressed nut or mast, oily and sweet, 
 which once was much valued as an article of food. The 
 most useful purpose to which we have heard of their being 
 applied, as in the manufacture of an oil, scarcely inferior to 
 olive oil. This is produced from the mast of the beech forests 
 in the department of Oise, France, in immense quantities ; 
 more than a million of sacks of the nuts having been col- 
 lected in that department in a single season. They are re- 
 duced, when perfectly ripe, to a fine paste, and the oil is ex- 
 tracted by gradual pressure. The product of oil, compared 
 with the crushed nuts, is about sixteen per cent. {Michaux, 
 N. American Sylva.) 
 
 In Europe, the wood of the beech is much used in the 
 manufacture of various utensils ; but here, where our forests 
 abound in woods vastly superior in strength, durability, and 
 firmness, that of the beech is comparatively little esteemed. 
 
 For ornamental purposes, the beech, from its compara- 
 
150 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 tively slow growth, and its abundance in various parts of the 
 country, does not command the admiration here which it 
 does in Europe. Campbell, the poet, has produced so elo- 
 quent and beautiful an appeal in favour of an old denizen of 
 the forest, entitled the "Beech Tree's Petition," that we gladly 
 quote it, hoping it may perchance stay the hand of some soi- 
 dissant improver, who would despoil our native woods of their 
 proudest glories : 
 
 " Oh, leave this barren spot to me ! 
 Spare, woodman, spare the beechen tree ! 
 Though bud and floweret never grow 
 My dark, unwarming shade below ; 
 Nor summer bud perfume the dew 
 Of rosy blush or yellow hue, 
 Nor fruits of autumn, blossom born, 
 My green and glossy leaves adorn ; 
 Nor murmuring tribes from me derive 
 The ambrosial amber of the hive ; 
 Yet leave this barren spot to me — 
 Spare, woodman, spare the beechen tree ! 
 Thrice twenty summers I have seen 
 The sky grow bright, the forest green ; 
 And many a wintry wind have stood 
 In bloomless, fruitless solitude. 
 Since childhood in ray pleasant bower 
 First spent its sweet and sportive hour ; 
 Since youthful lovers in my shade. 
 Their vows of youth and rapture made. 
 And on my trunk's surviving frame. 
 Carved many a long forgotten name. 
 Oh ! by the sighs of gentle sound 
 First breathed upon this sacred ground, 
 By all that love has whispered there. 
 Or beauty heard with ravished ear ; 
 As love's own altar, honour me — 
 Spare, woodman, spare the beechen tree !" 
 
 The beech is quite handsome and graceful when young, 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 151 
 
 and when large it forms one of the heaviest and grandest of 
 park trees. From this massy quality, however, it is ex- 
 cellently adapted to mingle with other trees when a thick 
 and impenetrable mass of foliage is desired : and, on account 
 of its density, it is also well suited to shut out unsightly 
 buildings, or other objects. 
 
 The leaves of many beech trees hang on the tree, in a dry 
 and withered state, during the whole winter. This is chiefly 
 the case with young trees ; but we consider it as greatly 
 diminishing its beauty at that season, as the tree is otherwise 
 very pleasing to the eye, with its smooth, round, gray stem, 
 and small twisted spray. A deciduous tree, we think, should 
 as certainly drop its leaves at the approach of cold weather, 
 as an evergreen should retain them ; more especially if its 
 leaves have a dead and withered appearance, as is the case 
 with those of the beech in this climate. 
 
 The White beech, {Fagus Sylvatica,) is the common 
 beech tree of the middle and western states. It is found in 
 the greatest perfection in a cool situation, and a moist soil. 
 The bark is smooth and gray, even upon the oldest stocks. 
 The leaves oval, smooth and shining, coarsely cut on the 
 edges, and margined with a soft down in the spring. 
 
 The Red beech, [F. ferruginea^ so called on account of 
 the colour of its wood, loves a still colder climate than the 
 other, and is found in the greatest perfection in British Ame- 
 rica. The leaves are divided into coarser teeth on the mar- 
 gin than the foregoing species. The nuts are much smaller, 
 and the whole tree forms a lower and more spreading head. 
 
 The European beech, {F. sylvatica,) is thought by many 
 botanists to be the same species as our white beech, or at 
 most only a variety. Its average height in Europe is 
 
152 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 about fifty feet ; the buds are shorter, and the leaves not so 
 coarsely toothed as our native sorts. The Purple beech is a 
 very ornamental variety of the European beech, common in 
 the gardens. Both surfaces of the leaves, and even the 
 young shoots, are deep purple ; and although the growth is 
 slow, yet it is in every stage of its progress, and more partic- 
 ularly when it reaches a good size, one of the strangest ano- 
 malies among trees, in the hue of its foliage. There is also a 
 variety called the copper-coloured beech, with paler purple 
 leaves ;* and a more rare English variety, {F. s. pendula,) the 
 Weeping beech, with graceful pendant branches. 
 
 The Hornbeam, {Carpinus Americana,) and the Iron- 
 wood, ( Ostrya Virginica.) are both well known small trees, 
 belonging to the same natural family as the beech. They 
 are of little value in ornamental plantations ; but from their 
 thick foliage, they might perhaps be employed to advantage 
 in making thick verdant screens for shelter or concealment. 
 
 The Poplar Tree. Populus. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Salicacete. Lin. Syst. Dioecia, Octandria. 
 
 Arhor populi, or the people's tree, was the name given in 
 the ancient days of Rome to this tree, as being peculiarly 
 appropriated to those public places most frequented by the 
 
 * The finest Copper Beech in America is growing in the grounds of Thomas 
 Ash, Esq., Throgs Neck, Westchester Co., N. Y. It is more than fifty feet high, 
 with a broad and finely formed head. 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 153 
 
 people : some ingenious authors have still further justified 
 the propriety of the name, by adding, that its trembling leaves 
 are like the populace, always in motion. 
 
 The poplars are light- wooded, rapid-growing trees ; many 
 of them of huge size, and all with pointed, heart-shaped 
 leaves. The tassel-like catkins, or male blossoms, of a red or 
 brownish hue, appear early in the spring. Some of the 
 American kinds, as the Balsam and Balm of Gilead poplars, 
 have their buds enveloped in a fragrant gum ; others, as the 
 Silver poplar, or Abele, are remarkable for the snowy white- 
 ness of the under side of the foliage ; and the Lombardy 
 poplar, which 
 
 " Shoots up its spire, and shakes its leaves in the sun," 
 
 Proctor. 
 
 for its remarkably conical or spire-like manner of growth. 
 The leaves of all the species, being suspended upon long and 
 slender footstalks, are easily put in motion by the wind 
 This, however, is peculiarly the case with the aspen, the 
 leaves of which may often be seen trembling in the slightest 
 breeze, when the foliage of the surrounding trees is motion, 
 less. There is a popular legend in Scotland respecting this 
 tree, which runs thus : 
 
 " Far off in the Highland wilds 'tis said, 
 (But truth now laughs at fancy's lore,) 
 That of this tree the cross was made, 
 
 Which erst the Lord of Glory bore ; 
 And of that deed its leaves confess. 
 E'er since, a troubled consciousness." 
 
 In Landscape Gardening the poplar is not highly esteemed ; 
 but it is a valuable tree when judiciously employed, and 
 
 20 
 
154 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 produces a given quantity of foliage and shade sooner perhaps 
 than any other. Some of the American kinds, are majestic 
 and superb trees when old, particularly the Cottonwood 
 and Balsam poplars.* One of the handsomest sorts is 
 the Silver poplar, which is much valued in our ornamental 
 
 
 r^& 
 
 
 
 '^'^ 
 
 ill- 
 
 
 [Fig. 31. The Cottonwood.] 
 
 * There is a noble specimen of the Cottonwood, or, as it is here called, the 
 Balm of Gilead poplar, about two miles north of Newburgh, on the Hudson, 
 wliich gives its name to the small village (Balmville,) near it. The branches 
 cover a surface of one hundred feet in diameter, the trunk girths twenty feet, and 
 the branches stretch over the public road in a most majestic manner. {See 
 Fig. 34. 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 155 
 
 plantations ; the more so, perhaps, because it is an exotic. 
 At some distance, the downy under surfaces of the leaves, 
 turned up by the wind, give it very much the aspect of a tree 
 covered with white blossoms. This effect is the more strik- 
 ing, when it is situated in front of a group or mass of the 
 darker foliage of other trees. It is valuable for retaining its 
 leaves in full beauty to the latest possible period in the au- 
 tumn, even when all the other deciduous trees are either 
 brown, or have entirely lost their leafy honours. Its growth 
 is extremely rapid, forming a fine rounded head of thirty 
 feet in height, in six or eight years. 
 
 The Lombardy poplar is a beautiful tree, and in certain 
 situations, produces a very elegant effect ; but it has been 
 planted so indiscriminately, in some parts of this country, 
 in close monotonous lines before the very doors of our houses, 
 and in many places in straight rows along the highways for 
 miles together, to the neglect of our fine native trees, that it 
 has been tiresome and disgusting. This tree may, however, 
 be employed with singular advantage in giving life, spirit, 
 and variety to a scene composed entirely of round-headed 
 trees, as the oak, ash, etc., — when a tall poplar, emerging, 
 here and there from the back or centre of the group, often im- 
 parts an air of elegance and animation to the whole. It may, 
 also, from its marked and striking contrast to other trees, be 
 employed to fix or direct the attention to some particular 
 point in the landscape. When large poplars of this kind 
 are growing near a house of but moderate dimensions, 
 they have a very bad effect, by completely overpowering the 
 building, without imparting any of that grandeur of char- 
 acter conferred by an old oak, or other spreading tree. It 
 should be introduced but sparingly in landscape composition, 
 as the moment it is made common in any scene, it gives an 
 
156 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 air of sameness and formality, and all the spirited effect is 
 lost which its sparing introduction among other trees pro- 
 duces. The Lombardy poplar is so well adapted to con- 
 fined situations, as its branches require less lateral room than 
 those of almost any other large deciduous tree. 
 
 It is an objection to some of the poplars, that in any cul- 
 tivated soil they produce an abundance of suckers. For this 
 reason, they should be planted only in grass ground, or in 
 situations where the soil will not be disturbed, or where the 
 suckers will not be injurious. Indeed, we conceive them 
 to be chiefly worthy of introduction in grounds of large 
 extent, to give variety to plantations of other and more 
 valuable trees. They grow well in almost every soil, moist 
 or dry, and some species prefer quite wet and springy 
 places. 
 
 The chief American poplars are the Tacamahaca or Bal- 
 sam poplar, [Populus balsamifera,) chiefly found in North- 
 ern America ; a large tree, 80 feet high, with fragrant 
 gummy buds, and lanceolate-oval leaves ; the Balm of 
 Gilead poplar, (P. candicans) resembling the foregoing in 
 its buds, but with very large, broad heart-shaped foliage. 
 From these a gum is sometimes collected, and used medici- 
 nally for the cure of scurvy. The American aspen, (P. 
 tremuloides,) about 30 feet high, a common tree with very 
 tremulous leaves and greenish bark ; the large American 
 aspen, (P. grandidentata,) 40 feet high, with large leaves 
 bordered with coarse teeth or denticulations ; the Cotton 
 tree, (P. argentea, 60 or 70 feet, with leaves downy in a 
 young state ; the American Black poplar, of smaller size, 
 having the young shoots covered with short hair ; the 
 Cottonwood, (P. Canadensis,) found chiefly in the western 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAT. TREES. 157 
 
 part of this state, a fine tree, with smooth, unequally-toothed 
 Avide cordate leaves ; and the Carolina poplar, (P. angulata,) 
 an enormous tree, of the swamps of the south and west, 
 considerably resembling the Cotton tree, but without the 
 resinous buds of that species. 
 
 Among the European kinds, the most ornamental, as we 
 have already remarked, is the Silver aspen. White poplar, or 
 Abele tree, (P. alba,) which grows to a great size on a deep 
 loamy soil, in a very short time. The leaves are divided into 
 lobes, and toothed on the margin, smooth and very deep 
 green above, and densely covered with a soft, close, white 
 down beneath. There are some varieties of this species 
 known abroad, with leaves more or less downy, etc. Sir J. E. 
 Smith remarks in his English Flora, that the wood though 
 but little used, is much firmer than that of any other British 
 poplar ; making as handsome floors as the best Norway fir, 
 with the additional advantage that they will not readily take 
 fire, like any resinous wood. 
 
 The English aspen, (P. tremula,) considerably resembles 
 our native aspen ; but the buds are somewhat gummy. The 
 Athenian poplar, (P. Grcsca,) is a tree about 40 feet high, 
 with smaller, more rounded, and equally serrated foliage. 
 The common Black European poplar, (P. nigra,) is also 
 a large, rapidly growing tree, with pale-green leaves slightly 
 notched : the buds expand later than most other poplars, and 
 the young leaves are at first somewhat reddish in colour. 
 The Necklace-bearing poplar, (P. Tnonilifera,) so called from 
 the circumstance of the catkins being arranged somewhat 
 like beads in a necklace, is supposed to have been derived 
 from Canada, but there are some doubts respecting its origin : 
 in the south it is generally called the Virginia poplar. 
 
 The Lombardy poplar, (P. dilatata,) a native of the banks 
 
158 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 of the Po, where it is sometimes called the Cypress poplar, 
 from its resemblance to that tree, is too well known among 
 us to need any description. Only one sex, the female, has 
 hitherto been introduced into this country ; and it has con- 
 sequently produced no seeds here, but has been entirely pro- 
 pagated by suckers from the root. 
 
 The Horse-chesunut Tree, ^sculus. 
 Nat. Ord. ^sculacese. Lin. Syst. Heptandria, Monogynia. 
 
 A large, showy, much admired, ornamental tree, bearing 
 large leaves composed of seven leaflets, and, in the month 
 of May, beautiful clusters of white flowers, delicately mottled 
 with red and yellow. It is a native of Middle Asia, but 
 flourishes well in the temperate climates of both hemispheres. 
 It was introduced into England, probably from Turkey, 
 about the year 1575 : in that country the nuts are often 
 ground into a coarse flour, which is mixed with other food 
 and given to horses that are broken-winded ; and from this 
 use the English name of the tree was derived. 
 
 A starch has been extracted in considerable quantity from 
 the nuts. The wood is considered valueless in the United 
 States. 
 
 The Horse-chestnut is by no means a picturesque tree, be- 
 ing too regularly rounded in its outlines, and too compact 
 and close in its surface, to produce, an agreeable effect in 
 light and shade. But it is nevertheless one of the most beau- 
 tiful exotic trees which will bear the open air in this climate. 
 The leaves, each made of clusters of six or seven leaflets, 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 159 
 
 arc of a fine dark-green colour ; tlie whole head of foliage 
 has much grandeur and richness in its depth of hue, and 
 niassiness of outline ; and the regular, rounded, pyramidal 
 shape, is something so different from that of most of our in- 
 digenous trees, as to strike the spectator with an air of no- 
 velty and distinctness. The great beauty of the Horse-chest- 
 nut is the splendour of its inflorescence, surpassing that of 
 almost all our native forest trees : the huge clusters of gay 
 blossoms which every spring are distributed with such luxu- 
 riance and profusion over the surface of the foliage, and at the 
 extremity of the branches, give the whole tree the aspect ra- 
 ther of some monstrous flowering shrub, than of an ordinary 
 tree of the largest size. At that season, there can be no more 
 beautiful object to stand singly upon the lawn, particularly 
 if its branches are permitted to grow low down the trunk, 
 and (as they naturally will, as the tree advances,) sweep the 
 green sward with their drooping foliage. Like the lime 
 tree, however, care must be taken, in the modern style, to in- 
 troduce it rather sparingly in picturesque plantations, and 
 then only as a single tree, or upon the margin of large 
 groups, masses, or plantations, but it may be more freely 
 used in grounds in the graceful style for which it is highly 
 suitable. When handsome avenues or straight lines are 
 wanted, the Horse-chestnut is again admirably suited, from 
 its symmetry and regularity. It is therefore, much, and 
 justly valued for these purposes in our towns and cities, 
 where its deep shade and beauty of blossom are peculiarly 
 desirable, the only objection to it being the early fall of its 
 leaves. The Horse-chestnut is very interesting in its mode 
 of growth. The large buds are thickly covered in winter 
 with a resinous gum, to protect them from the cold and 
 moisture ; in the spring, these burst open, and the whole 
 
160 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 growth of the young shoots, leaves, flowers and all, is com- 
 pleted in about three or four weeks. When the leaves 
 first unfold, they are clothed with a copious cotton-like 
 down, which falls oflf when they have attained their full 
 size and development. 
 
 The growth of the Horse-chestnut is slow, for a soft- wooded 
 tree, when the trees are young : after five or six years, how- 
 ever, it advances with more rapidity, and in twenty years 
 forms a beautiful and massy tree. It prefers a strong, rich, 
 loamy soil, and is easily raised from the large nuts, which 
 are produced in great abundance. 
 
 There are several species of Horse-chestnut, but the com- 
 mon one, {jEscuIus H'qjpocastanum,) is incomparably the 
 finest. The American sorts are the following : {^sculus 
 Ohioensis,) or Ohio Buckeye, as it is called in the western 
 states ; a small sized tree, with palmated leaves consisting 
 of of five leaflets, and pretty bright yellow flowers, with red 
 stamens. The fruit is about half the size of the exotic species. 
 The Red-flowered Horse-chestnut, {JEsculus rubictmda,) 
 is a small tree with scarlet flowers ; and the Smooth-leaved 
 {JS. glabra,) has pale yellow flowers. All the foregoing 
 have prickly fruit. Besides these are two small Horse-chest- 
 nuts with smooth fruit, which thence properly belong to the 
 genus Pavia, viz : the Yellow-flowered Pavia, (P. lutea,) 
 of Virginia and the southern states ; and the Red-flowered, 
 (P. rubra,) with pretty clusters of reddish flowers ; both 
 these have leaves resembling those of the Horse-chestnut, 
 except in being divided into five leaflets, instead of seven. 
 There are some other species, which are, however, rather 
 shrubs than trees. 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 161 
 
 The Birch Tree. Betula. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Betulacese. Lin. Syst. Monoecia, Polyandria. 
 
 The Birch trees are common inhabitants of the forests of 
 all cold and elevated comitries. They are remarkable for 
 their smooth, silvery- white, or reddish coloured stems, deli- 
 cate and pliant spray, and small, light foliage. There is no 
 deciduous tree which will endure a more rigorous climate, 
 or grow at a greater elevation above the level of the sea. It 
 is fomid growing in Greenland and Kamtschatka, as far north 
 as the 58th and 60th degree of latitude, and on the Alps in 
 Switzerland, according to that learned botanist, M. DeCan- 
 doUe, at the elevation of 4,400 feet. It is undoubtedly the 
 most useful tree of northern climates. Not only are cattle 
 and sheep sometimes fed upon the leaves, but the Laplander 
 constructs his hut of the branches ; the Russian forms the 
 bark into shoes, baskets, and cordage for harnessing his rein- 
 deer ; and the inhabitants of Northern Siberia, in times of 
 scarcity, grind it to mix with their oatmeal for food. In this 
 country the birch is no less useful. The North American 
 Indian, and all who are obliged to travel the wild, unfre- 
 quented portions of British America, — ^who have to pass over 
 rapids, and make their way through the wilderness from river 
 to river, — find the canoe made of the birch bark, the lightest, 
 the most durable, and convenient vessel, for these purposes, 
 in the world.* 
 
 * The following interesting description of their manufacture, we quote from Mi- 
 chaux. " The most important purpose to which the Canoe birch is applied, and 
 one in which its place is supplied by no other tree, is the construction of canoes. 
 To procure proper pieces, the largest and smoothest trunks are selected ; in the 
 spring, two circular incisions are made several feet apart, and two longitudinal 
 
 21 
 
162 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 The wood of our Black birch is by far the finest ; and, as 
 it assumes a beautiful rosy colour when polished, and is next 
 in texture to the wild Cherry tree, it is considerably esteemd 
 among cabinet-makers in the eastern states, for chairs, tables 
 and bedsteads. 
 
 In Europe, the sap of the birch is collected in the spring, in 
 the same manner as that of the maple in this country, boiled 
 with sugar and hops, and fermented with the aid of yeast. 
 The product of the fermentation is called hirch wine, and is 
 described as being a remarkably pleasant and healthy beve- 
 rage. 
 
 Though perhaps too common in some districts of our coun- 
 try to be properly regarded as an ornamental tree, yet in 
 others, where it is less so, the birch will doubtless be esteemed 
 as it deserves. With us it is a great favourite ; and we 
 regard it as a very elegant and graceful tree, not less on 
 account of the silvery white bark of several species, than 
 from the extreme delicacy of the spray, and the pleasing 
 lightness and airiness of the foliage. In all the species, the 
 branches have a tendency to form those graceful curves, 
 which contribute so much to the beauty of trees 5 but the 
 European Weeping birch is peculiarly pleasing as it grows 
 
 ones, on opposite sides of the tree : after which, by introducing a wedge, the 
 bark is easily detached. These plates are usually ten or twelve feet long, and 
 two feet nine inches broad. To form canoes, they are stitched together with 
 fibrous roots of the white spruce, about the size of a quill, which are deprived 
 of the bark, split, and suppled in water. The seams are coated with resin of the 
 Balm of Gilead. Great use is made of these canoes by the savages, and the 
 French Canadian in their long journies through the interior of the country : they 
 are light, and are very easily transported on the shoulders from one lake to 
 another, which is called the portage. A canoe calculated for four persons, with 
 their baggage, weighs from forty to fifty pounds ; and some of them are made 
 to carry fifteen passengers. 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 163 
 
 old, on that account. It is this variety which Coleridge 
 pronounces, 
 
 " Most beautiful 
 
 Of forest trees — the Lady of the woods." 
 
 And Bernard Barton, speaking of our native species, says, 
 
 " See the beautiful Birch tree fling 
 
 Its shade on the grass beneath — 
 Its glossy leaf, and its silvery stem ; 
 Dost thou not love to look on them ?" 
 
 The American sorts, and particularly the Black birch, start 
 into leaf very early in the spring, and their tender green is 
 agreeable to the eye at that season ; while the swelling buds, 
 and young foliage in many kinds, give out a delicous, though 
 faint perfume. Even the blossoms, which hang like little 
 brown tassels from the drooping branches, are interesting to 
 the lover of nature. 
 
 " The fragrant birch above him hung 
 
 Her tassels in the sky, 
 And many a vernal blossom sprung, 
 And nodded careless by." 
 
 Bryant. 
 
 Nothing can well be prettier, seen from the windows of the 
 drawing-room, than a large group of trees, whose depth and 
 distance is made up by the heavy and deep masses of the ash, 
 oak, and maple, and the portions nearest the eye or the 
 lawn terminated by a few birches, with their sparkling white 
 stems, and delicate, airy drooping foliage. Our White birch, 
 being a small tree, is very handsome in such situations, and 
 
164 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 offers the most pleasing variety to the eye, when seen in con- 
 nexion with other foliage. Several kinds, as the Yellow and 
 the Black birches, are really stately trees, and form fine groups 
 by themselves. Indeed, most beautiful and varied masses 
 might be formed by collecting together all the different kinds, 
 with their characteristic barks, branches, and foliage. 
 
 As an additional recommendation, many of these trees 
 grow on the thinnest and most indifferent soils, whether 
 moist or dry ; and in cold, bleak, and exposed situations, as 
 well as in warm and sheltered places. 
 
 We shall enumerate the different kinds, as follows : — 
 
 The Canoe birch, Boleau d Canot, of the French Cana- 
 dians, {B. papyracea,) sometimes also called the Paper birch, 
 is according to Michaux, most common in the forests of the 
 eastern states, north of latitude 43°, and in the Canadas. 
 There it attains its largest size, sometimes seventy feet in 
 height, and three in diameter. Its branches are slender, 
 flexible, covered with a shining brown bark, dotted with 
 white ; and on trees of moderate size, the bark of the trunk 
 is of a brilliant white : it is often used for roofing houses, 
 for the manufacture of baskets, boxes, etc., besides its most 
 important use for canoes, as already mentioned. The leaves, 
 borne on petioles four or five lines long, are of a middling 
 size, oval, unequally denticulated, smooth, and of a dark 
 green colour. 
 
 The White birch, {B. populifolia,) is a tree of much 
 smaller size, generally from twenty to thirty-five feet in 
 height : it is found in New- York and the other middle states, 
 as well as at the north. The trunk, like the foregoing, is cov- 
 ered with silvery bark; the branches are slender, and 
 generally drooping when the tree attains considerable size. 
 The leaves are smooth on both surfaces, heart-shaped at the 
 
DCIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 165 
 
 base, very acuminate, and doubly and irregularly toothed. 
 The petioles are slightly twisted, and the leaves are almost 
 as tremulous as those of the aspen. It is a beautiful small 
 tree for ornamental plantations. 
 
 The common Black or Sweet birch. {B. lenta.) This is 
 the sort most generally known by the name of the birch, and 
 is widely dilFused over the middle and southern states. 
 In colour and appearance the bark much resembles that of 
 the cherry tree ; on old trees, at the close of winter, it is fre- 
 quently detached in transverse portions, in the form of hard 
 ligneous plates, six or eight inches broad. The leaves, for a 
 fortnight after their appearance, are covered with a thick sil- 
 very down, which disappears soon after. They are about two 
 inches long, serrate, heart-shaped at the base, acuminate at 
 the summit, and of a pleasing tint and fine texture. The 
 wood is of excellent quality, and Michaux recommends its 
 introduction largely into the forests of the north of Europe. 
 
 The Yellow birch, {B. lutea,) grows most plentifully in 
 Nova Scotia, Maine, and New-Brunswick, on cool, rich soils, 
 where it is a tree of the largest size. It is remarkable for the 
 colour and arrangement of its outer bark, which is of a bril- 
 liant golden yellow, and is frequently seen divided into fine 
 strips rolled backwarks at the end, but attached in the middle. 
 The leaves are about three and a half inches long, two and a 
 half broad, ovate, acuminate, and bordered with sharp and 
 irregular teeth. It is a beautiful tree, with a trunk of nearly 
 uniform diameter, straight, and destitute of branches for thirty 
 or forty feet. 
 
 The Red birch, {B. rubra) belongs chiefly to the south, 
 being scarcely ever seen north of Virginia. It prefers the 
 moist soil of river banks, where it reaches a noble height. 
 It takes its name from the cinnamon or reddish colour of the 
 
166 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 outer bark on the young trees ; when old, it becomes rough, 
 furrowed, and greenish. The leaves are light green on the 
 upper surface, whitish beneath, very pointed at the end, and 
 terminated at the base in an acute angle. The twigs are 
 long, flexible, and pendulous ; and the limbs of a brown 
 colour, spotted with white. 
 
 The European White birch. {B. alba.) This species, 
 the common birch tree of Europe, is intermediate in appear- 
 ance and qualities, between our Canoe birch and White birch. 
 The latter it resembles in its foliage, the former in its large 
 size, and the excellence of its wood. There is a distinct 
 variety of this, to which we have alluded, called the Weeping 
 birch, ( Var. pendula,) which is very rapid in its growth, 
 and highly graceful in its form. From the great beauty of 
 our native species, this is perhaps the only European sort, 
 which it is very desirable to introduce into our collections. 
 
 The Alder Tree. Alnus. 
 Nat. Ord. Betulacece. Lin. Syst. Monoecia, Tetrandria. 
 
 The alder tree is a native of the whole of Europe, where 
 it grows to the altitude of from thirty to sixty feet. Our 
 common'Black alder, {A. glauca,) and Hazel-leaved alder, {A. 
 serrulata,) are low shrubs of little value or interest. This, 
 however, is a neat tree, remarkable for its love of moist situa- 
 tions, and thriving best in places even too wet for the willows ; 
 although it will also flourish on dry and elevated soils. The 
 leaves are roundish in form, wavy, and serrated in their mar- 
 gins, and dark green in colour. The tree rapidly forms an 
 agreeable, pyramidal head of foliage, when growing in damp 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 167 
 
 situations. As it is a foreign tree, we shall quote from Gilpin 
 its character in scenery. "The alder," says he, "loves a 
 low, moist soil, and frequents the banks of rivers, and will 
 flourish in the poorest forest swamps, where nothing else 
 will grow. It is perhaps the most picturesque of any of the 
 aquatic tribe, except the weeping willow. He who would see 
 the alder in perfection, must follow the banks of the Mole 
 in survey, through the sweet vales of Dorking and Mickle- 
 ham, into the groves of Esher. The Mole, indeed, is far from 
 being a beautiful river ; it is a silent and sluggish stream, but 
 what beauty it has, it owes greatly to the alder, which every- 
 where fringes its meadows, and in many places forms very 
 pleasing scenes. It is always associated in our minds with 
 river scenery, both of that tranquil description most frequently 
 to be met with in the vales of England, and with that wider 
 and more stirring cast which is to be foimd amidst the deep 
 glens and ravines of Scotland ; and nowhere is this tree found 
 in greater perfection than on the wild banks of the river Find- 
 horn, and its tributary streams, where scenery of the most 
 romantic description everywhere prevails."* 
 
 Although the beauty of the alder is of a secondary kind, 
 it is worth occasional introduction into landscapes where 
 there is much water to be planted romid, or low running 
 streams to cover with foliage. In these damp places, like 
 the willow, it grows very well from truncheons or large limbs, 
 stuck in the gromid, which take root and become trees 
 speedily. There are two principal varieties, the common 
 alder, {A. glutinosa^) and the cut-leaved alder, {A. glutinosa 
 laciniata.) The latter is much the handsomer tree, and is 
 also the rarest in our nurseries. 
 
 * Lauder's Gilpin, 1. p. 136, 
 
168 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 The Maple Tree. Acer. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Aceraceae. Lin. Syst. Polygamia, Monoscia. 
 
 The great esteem in which the maples are held in the mid- 
 dle states, as ornamental trees, although they are by no means 
 uncommon in every piece of woods of any extent, is a high 
 proof of their superior merits for such purposes. These con- 
 sist in the rapidity of their growth, the beauty of their form, 
 the fine verdure of their foliage, and in some sorts, the ele- 
 gance of their blossoms. Among all the species, both native 
 and foreign, we consider the Scarlet-flowering maple as de- 
 cidedly the most ornamental species. In the spring, this tree 
 bursts oilt in gay tufts of red blossoms ; which enliven both 
 its own branches and the surrounding scene long before 
 a leaf is seen on other deciduous trees, and when the only 
 other appearances of vegetation are a few catkins of some wil- 
 lows or poplars, swelling into bloom. At that season of the 
 year, the Scarlet maple is certainly the most beautiful tree of 
 our forests. Besides this, it grows well either in the very moist 
 soil of swamps, or the dry one of upland ridges, forms a fine 
 clustering head of foliage, and produces an ample and delight- 
 ful shade ; while it is also as little infected by insects of any 
 description as any other tree. The latter advantage, the 
 Sugar maple and our other varieties, equally possess. As 
 a handsome spreading tree, perhaps the White maple de- 
 serves most praise, its outline and surface being, in many 
 cases, quite picturesque. There is no quality, however, for 
 which the American maples are entitled to higher considera- 
 tion as desirable objects in scenery, than for the exquisite 
 beauty which their foliage assumes in autumn, as it fades 
 and gradually dies off. At the first approach of cold, we 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 169 
 
 can just perceive a bright yellow stealing over the leaves, 
 then a deeper golden tint, then a few faint blushes, until at 
 length the whole mass of foliage becomes one blaze of 
 crimson or orange. 
 
 " Tints that the maple woods disclose 
 Like opening buds or fading rose, 
 Or various as those hues, that dye 
 The clouds that deck a sunset sky." 
 
 The contrast of colouring exhibited on many of our fine 
 river shores in a warm dry autumn, is perhaps superior to 
 any thing of the kind in the world : and the leading and 
 most brilliant colours, viz : orange and scarlet, are produced 
 by maples. Even in Europe, they are highly valued for 
 this autumnal appearance, so different from that of most of 
 the trees of the old world. Yery beautiful effects can be 
 produced by planting the Scarlet and Sugar maples in the 
 near neighbourhood of the ash, which, as we have already 
 noticed, assumes a fine brownish purple ; of the sycamore, 
 which is yellow, and some of the oaks, which remain green 
 for a long time : if to these we add a few evergreens, as the 
 White pine and hemlock, to produce depth, we shall have a 
 kind of kaleidiscope group, harmonious and beautiful as the 
 rainbow. 
 
 When the maple is planted to grow singly on the lawn, or 
 in small groups, it should never be trimmed up ten or twenty 
 feet high, a very common practice in some places, as 
 this destroys half its beauty ; but if it be suffered to branch 
 out quite low down, it will form a very elegant head. The 
 maple is well suited to scenes expressive of graceful beauty, 
 as they unite to a considerable variation of surface, a pleas- 
 ing softness and roundness of outline. In bold or picturesque 
 
 22 
 
ITO LANDSCAPE GARDENING, 
 
 scenes, they can be employed to advantage by intermingling 
 them with the more striking and majestic forms of the oak, 
 etc., where variety and contrast is desired. The European 
 sycamore, which is also a maple, has a coarser foliage, and 
 more of strength in its growth and appearance : it perhaps 
 approaches nearer in general expression and effect to the 
 plane tree, than to our native maples. 
 
 It is unnecessary for us to recommend this tree for avenues, 
 or for bordering the streets of cities, as its general prevalence 
 in such places sufficiently indicates its acknowledged claims 
 for beauty, shade, and shelter. It bears pruning re- 
 markably well, and is easily transplanted, even when of 
 large size, from its native woods or swamps. The finest trees, 
 however, are produced from seed. 
 
 The Sugar maple, {Acei^ saccharimim,) is a very abun- 
 dant tree in the northern states and the Canadas, where it 
 sometimes forms immense forests. The bark is white; the 
 leaves four or five inches broad, and five-lobed ; varying, 
 however, in size according to the age of the tree. The flow- 
 ers are small, yellowish, and suspended by slender drooping 
 peduncles. The seed is contained in two capsules united at 
 the base, and terminated in a membranous wing ; they are 
 ripe in October. From certain parts of the trunks of old 
 Sugar maples, the fine wood called hircVs-eye maple is taken, 
 which is so highly prized by the cabinet-makers ; and the 
 sap, which flows in abundance from holes bored in the stem 
 of the tree early in March, produces the well-known maple 
 sugar. This can be clarified, so as to equal that of the cane 
 in flavour and appearance ; and it has been demonstrated that 
 the planting of maple orchards, for the production of sugar, 
 would be a profitable investment. 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 171 
 
 The Scarlet-flowering maple, {A. rubrum,) is found chiefly 
 on the borders of rivers, or in swamps ; the latter place ap- 
 pears best suited to this tree, for it there often attains a very 
 large size : it is frequently called the Soft maple or Swamp 
 maple. The blossoms come out about the middle of April, 
 while the branches are yet bare of leaves, and their numerous 
 little pendulous stamens appear like small tufts of scarlet or 
 purple threads. The leaves somewhat resemble those of the 
 Sugar maple, but are rather smaller, and only three or four 
 lobed, glaucous or whitish underneath, and irregularly 
 toothed on the margin. This tree may easily be distin- 
 guished when young from the former, by the bark of the 
 trunk, which is gray, with large whitish spots. Its trunk, 
 in the choicest parts, furnishes the beautiful wood known as 
 the curled maple. 
 
 The White or Silver-leaved maple. [A. eriocarpum.) 
 This species somewhat resembles the Scarlet-flowering 
 maple, and they are often confounded together in the east- 
 ern and middle states, where it grows but sparingly. West 
 of the Alleghany mountains it is seen in perfection, and is 
 well known as the White maple. Its flowers are very pale 
 in colour, and much smaller than those of the foregoing 
 sorts. The leaves are divided into foiu: lobes, and have a 
 beautiful white under surface. Michaux, speaking of this tree, 
 says : " In no part of the United States is it more multiplied 
 than in the western country, and nowhere is its vegetation 
 more luxuriant than on the banks of the Ohio. There, 
 sometimes alone and sometimes mingled with the willow, 
 which is found along these waters, it contributes singularly, 
 by its magnificent foliage, to the embellishment of the scene. 
 The brilliant white of the leaves beneath, forms a striking 
 contrast with the bright green above, and the alternate re- 
 
172 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 flection of the two surfaces in the water, heightening the 
 beauty of this wonderful moving mirror, aids in forming an 
 enchanting picture, which, during my long excursions in a 
 canoe in these regions of solitude and silence, I contem- 
 plated with unwearied admiration."* There, on those fine, 
 deep, alluvial soils, it often attains twelve or fifteen feet in 
 circumference. 
 
 As an ornamental variety, the Silver-leaved maple is one 
 of the most valuable. It is exceeding rapid in its growth, 
 often making shoots six feet long in a season, and the silvery 
 hue of its foliage, when stirred by the wind, as well as its 
 fine, half drooping habit, render it highly interesting to the 
 planter. Admirable specimens of this species may be seen 
 in the wide streets of Bm'lington, N. J. 
 
 The Moose wood, or Striped maple, {A striatum,) is a 
 small tree with beautifully striped bark. It is often seen on 
 the mountains which border the Hudson, but abounds most 
 profusely in the north of the continent. Acer nigrum, is the 
 Black sugar tree of Genesee. A. Negundo,t the Ash-leaved 
 maple, has handsome pinnated foliage of a light green hue ; 
 it forms a pleasing tree of medium size. These are our 
 principal native species.J 
 
 Among the finest foreign sorts is the Norway maple, {A. 
 jAataiioides,) with leaves intermediate in appearance be- 
 tween those of the plane tree and Sugar maple. The bark 
 of the trunk is brown, and rougher in appearance than our 
 maples, and the tree is more loose and spreading in its 
 growth ; it also grows more rapidly, and strongly resembles 
 at a little distance, the button-wood in its young state. 
 Another interesting species is the sycamore tree or Great ma- 
 
 * N. A Sylva, 1. 214. t Negundo fraxinifolium. 
 
 X Mr. Douglas has discovered a very superb maple, \A. macropkyllum,) on the 
 Columbia river, with very large leaves, and fine fragrant yeUow blossoms. 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 173 
 
 pie, {A. pseudo-platanus.) The latter also considerably re- 
 sembles the plane ; but the leaves, like those of the common 
 maple, are smoother. They are five-lobed, acute in the divi- 
 sions, and are placed on much longer petioles than those of 
 most of the species. The flowers, strung in clusters like 
 those of the common currant, are greenish in colour. It is 
 much esteemed as a shade-tree in Scotland, and some parts 
 of the Continent, and grows with vigour, producing a large 
 head, and widely spreading branches. 
 
 The Locust Tree. Rohinia. 
 Nat. Ord. Leguminosse. Lin. Syst. Diadelphia, Decandria. 
 
 This is a well-known American tree, found growing wild 
 in all of the states west of the Delaware River. It is a tree 
 of secondary size, attaining generally the height of forty or 
 fifty feet. The leaves are pinnated, bluish -green in colour, 
 and are thinly scattered over the branches. The white blos- 
 soms ap pear in June, and are highly fragrant and beautiful ; 
 and from them the Paris perfumers distil an extrait which 
 greatly resembles orange-flower water, and is used for the 
 same purposes. 
 
 As an ornamental tree, we do not esteem the locust highly. 
 The objections to it are, 1st, its meagreness and lightness of 
 foliage, producing but little shade ; secondly, the extreme 
 brittleness of its branches, which are liable to be broken and 
 disfigured by every gale of wind ; and lastly, the abundance 
 of suckers which it produces. Notwithstanding these defects, 
 we would not entirely banish the locust from our pleasure- 
 
174 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 grounds ; for its light foliage of a fresh and pleasing green 
 may often be used to advantage in producing a variety with 
 other trees ; and its very fragrant blossoms are beautiful, 
 when, in the beginning of summer they hang in loose pen- 
 dulous clusters from among its light foliage. These will 
 always speak sufficiently in its favour to cause it to be 
 planted more or less, where a variety of trees is desired. It 
 should, however, be remembered that the foliage comes out 
 at a late period in spring, and falls early in autumn, which 
 we consider objections to any tree that is to be planted in 
 the close vicinity of the mansion. It is valuable for its 
 extremely rapid growth when young ; as during the first 
 ten or fifteen years of its life, it exceeds in thrifty shoots 
 almost all other forest trees : but it is comparatively short- 
 lived, and in twenty years time, many other trees would 
 completely overtop and outstrip it. It is easily propagated 
 by seed, which is by far the best mode of raising it, and it 
 prefers a deep, rich, sandy loam.* 
 
 As a timber tree of the very first class, the locust has but 
 few rivals. It is found to be stronger and more durable than 
 the best oak or Red cedar ; while it is lighter, and equally 
 durable with the Live oak of the south. Its excellency for 
 ship-building is therefore unsurpassed ; and as much of the 
 timber as can be procured of sufficient size, commands a 
 high price for that purpose. Great use is also made of it in 
 
 * There is a great difference in the growth of this tree. In cold or indifferent 
 soils, it presents a rough and rugged aspect; but in deep, warm, sandy soils, it 
 becomes quite another tree in appearance. The highest specimens we have ever 
 seen, are now growing in such soil on the estate of J. P. Derwint, Esq. at Fishkill 
 Landing, on the banks of the Hudson, New- York. Some specimens there, mea- 
 sure 90 feet, which is higher than Michaux saw on the deep alluvials in Kentucky, 
 where they are natives. The finest single tree is one standing in front of the 
 mansion at Clermont, on the Hudson, which is four feet in diameter. 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 175 
 
 trunnels, (the wooden pins which fasten the side planks to the 
 ship frame,) and it is now extensively substituted for the iron 
 ones formerly used for that purpose, a considerable quantity 
 of the wood is now even exported to England for this 
 purpose. For posts it is more durable than the Red cedar, 
 and is therefore in high estimation for fencing. In France, 
 where the tree was introduced by Jean Robin, herbalist to 
 Henri IV., (whence the name Robinia,) it is much cultivated 
 for the poles used in supporting the grapes in vineyards. 
 It has the remarkable property, says Michaux, of beginning 
 from the third year to convert its sap into perfect wood ; 
 which is not done by the elm, oak, beech or chestnut, until 
 after the tenth or fifteenth year. Hence excellent and dura" 
 ble timber can be obtained from this tree, in a shorter period 
 than from any other.* 
 
 The locust can be cultivated to advantage as a timber tree, 
 only upon deep, mellow, and rather rich, sandy soils ; there, 
 
 * Cobbett, who, en passant, though a most remarkable man, was as great a quack 
 in gardening as the famous pill-dealers now are in medicine, carried over from 
 this country when he returned to England, a great quantity of seeds of the lo- 
 cust, which he reared and sold in immense quantities. In his " Woodlands," 
 which appeared about that time, he praised its value and utility in the most ex- 
 aggerated terms, affirming " that no man in America will pretend to say he ever 
 saw a bit of it in a decayed state." And that " its wood is absolutely indestructible 
 hy the powers of earth, air, and water." " The time will come," he continues, " and 
 it will not be very distant, when the locust tree will be more common in England 
 than the oak ; when a man would be thought mad if he used anything but lo- 
 cust in the construction of sills, posts, gates, joists, feet for rick stands, stocks and 
 axletrees for wheels, hop-poles, pales, or for anything where there is liability to 
 rot. This time will not be distant, seeing that the locust tree grows so fast. 
 The next race of children but one, that is to say, those, who will be born 60 years 
 hence, will think the locust trees have always been the most numerous trees in 
 England ; and some curious writer of a century or two hence will tell his read- 
 ers, that wonderful as it may seem, ' the locust was hardly known in England 
 until about the year 1823, when the nation was introduced to a knowledge of it by 
 
176 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 its growth is wonderfully vigorous, and an immense number 
 may be grown upon a small area of ground. In clayey, 
 heavy, or strong loamy soils, the tree never attains much 
 size, and is extremely liable to the attacks of the borer, 
 which renders its wood in a great measure valueless. In 
 particularly favourable situations, its culture may be made 
 extremely profitable.* 
 
 There are but two distinct species of locust which attain 
 the size of trees in this country, viz: the Yellow locust, {R. 
 pseud-acacia,) so called from the colour of its wood ; and the 
 Honey locust, {R. viscosa,) a smaller tree, with reddish flow- 
 ers, and branches covered with a viscid honey-like gum. 
 Some pretty varieties of the former have been originated in 
 gardens abroad, among which the Parasol locust, ( Var. um- 
 hraculifera,) is decidedly the most interesting. We recollect 
 some handsome specimens which were imported by the late 
 M. Parmentier, and grew in his garden at Brooklyn, Long 
 Island. They were remarkable for their unique, rounded, 
 umbrella-like heads, when grafted ten or twelve feet high on 
 the common locust. 
 
 William Cobbett.' What he will say of me besides, I do not know ; but I know 
 he will say this of me. I enter this upon account, therefore, knowing that I am 
 writing for centuries to come." ! ! For a fuller accoimt of his locust frenzy, we 
 refer our readers to the very complete article on Robinia, in that magnificent 
 work, the " Arboretum Britannicum." 
 
 * There is a well known instance of the profit of this tree, which we perceive 
 has found its way into the memoirs of the Agricultural Society of Paris. A 
 farmer on Long Island, some sixty years ago, on the year of his marriage, planted 
 fourteen acres of his farm with the Yellow locust. When his eldest son married 
 at twenty-two, he cut twelve hundred dollars worth of timber from the field, as 
 a marriage portion, which he gave his son to buy a settlement in Lancaster 
 County, Pennsylvania, then considered a part of the " western country." Three 
 years after, the locust grove yielded as much for a daughter ; and in this way 
 his whole family were provided for ; as the rapidity with wliich the young suckers 
 grew up, fully repaired the breaches made in the fourteen acres. 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 177 
 
 There are two pretty distinct varieties of the common 
 Yellow locust, cultivated on the Hudson. That most fre- 
 quently seen is the White variety, which forms a tall and 
 narrow head ; the other is the Black locust, with a broad, 
 and more spreading head, and larger trunk ; the latter may 
 be seen in fine condition at Clermont. It is a much finer 
 ornamental tree, and appears less liable to the borer than the 
 White variety. 
 
 The Three-thorned Acacia Tree. Gleditschia. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Leguminosee. Lin. Syst. Polygamia, Dicecia. 
 
 This tree is often called the Three-thorned locust, from 
 some resemblance to the latter tree. Its delicate, doubly pin- 
 nate leaves, however, are much more like those of the Aca- 
 cias, a family of plants not hardy enough to bear our climate. 
 It is a much finer tree in appearance than the common locust, 
 although the flowers are greenish and inconspicuous, instead 
 of possessing the beauty and fragrance of the latter. There 
 is, however, a peculiar elegance about its light green and 
 beautiful foliage, which wafts so gracefully in the summer 
 breeze, and folds up on the slightest shower, that it stands far 
 above that tree in our estimation, for the embellishment of 
 scenery. The branches spread out rather horizontally, in 
 a fine, broad, and lofty head : there are none of the dead 
 and unsightly branches so common on the locust ; and the 
 light feathery foliage, lit up in the sunshine, has an airy 
 and transparent look, rarely seen in so large a tree, which 
 sometimes produces very happy effects in composition with 
 
 23 
 
178 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 Other trees. The bark is of a pleasmg brown smooth in 
 surface ; the branches are studded over with curious, long, 
 triply-pointed thorns, which also often jut out in clusters, in 
 every direction from the trunk of the tree, to the length of 
 four or five inches, giving it a most singular and forbidding 
 look. In winter, these and the long seed-pods, five or six 
 inches in length, which hang upon the boughs at that season, 
 give the whole tree a very distinct character. These pods 
 contain a sweetish substance, somewhat resembling honey ; 
 whence the tree has in some places obtained the name of 
 Honey locust, which properly belongs to Rohinia viscosa. 
 
 Another recommendation of this tree, is the variety of pic- 
 turesque shapes which it assumes in growing up ; sometimes 
 forming a tall pyramidal head of .50 or 60 feet, sometimes a 
 low horizontally branched tree, and at others it expands into a 
 wide irregular head, quite flattened at the summit. It does 
 not produce suckers like the locust, and may therefore be in- 
 troduced into any part of the grounds. When but a limited 
 extent is devoted to a lawn or garden, this tree should be 
 among the first to obtain a place ; as one or two Three- 
 thorned Acacias, mingled with other larger and heavier foli- 
 age, will at once produce a charming variety. 
 
 The Three-thorned Acacia has been strongly recommended 
 for hedges. It is too liable to become thin at the bottom, to 
 serve well for an outer enclosure, but if kept well trimme(^ 
 it forms a capital farm fence and protection against the larger 
 animals, growing up in much less time than the hawthorn. 
 Like the locust, it has the disadvantage of expandmg its fo- 
 liage late in the spring. In the strong rich soils, which it 
 prefers, it grows very vigorously, and is easily propagated 
 from seeds. 
 
 The Three-thorned Acacia, ( G. triacanthos,) is the prin- 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 179 
 
 cipal species, and is indigenous to the states west of the 
 Alleghanies. G. monosjierona is another kind, which is 
 scarcely distinguishable from the Three-thorned, except in 
 having one-seeded pods. The seedlings raised from G. tri- 
 acanthos, are often entirely destitute of thorns. 
 
 There is a fine species called the Chinese, {G. horrida,) 
 with larger and finer foliage, and immense triple thorns, which 
 is interesting from its great singularity. A tree of this kind 
 which we imported, has stood our coldest winters perfectly 
 uninjured, and promises to be beautiful and very hardy. 
 Some noble specimens of the common Three-thorned Acacia, 
 may be seen upon the lawn at Hyde Park, the fine seat of 
 the late Dr. Hosack. 
 
 The Judas Tree. Cercis. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Leguminosae. Lin. Syst. Decandria, Monogynia. 
 
 A handsome low tree, about 20 feet in height, which is 
 found scattered sparsely through warm sheltered valleys, 
 along the Hudson and other rivers of the northern sections of 
 the United States, but most abundantly on the Ohio. It is 
 valuable as an ornamental tree, no less on account of its 
 exceedingly neat foliage, which is exactly heart-shaped, or 
 cordiform, and of a pleasing green tint, than for its pretty 
 pink blossoms. These, which are pea-shaped, are produced 
 in little clusters close to the branches, often in great pro- 
 fusion, early in the spring, before the leaves have expanded. 
 From the appearance of the limbs at that period, it has in 
 some places obtained the name of Red-hud. It is then one 
 
180 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 of the most ornamental of trees, and, in company with the 
 Dog-wood, serves greatly to enliven the scene, and herald 
 the advent of the floral season. These blossoms, according 
 to Loudon, [Encycl. of Plants,) having an agreeable poign- 
 ancy, are frequently eaten in salads abroad, and pickled by 
 the French families in Canada. The name of Judas tree 
 appears to have been whimsically bestowed by Gerard, an 
 old English gardener, who described it in 1596, and relates 
 that " this is the tree whereon Judas did hange himselfe ; 
 and not upon the elder tree, as it is said." 
 
 There are two species in common cultivation ; the Ameri- 
 can, (C. Canadensis,) and the European, {C. Siliquastrum.) 
 The latter much resembles our native tree. The flowers, 
 however, are deeper in colour ; the leaves darker, and less 
 pointed at the extremity. It also produces blossoms rather 
 more profusely than the American tree. Both species are 
 highly worthy of a place in the garden, or near the house, 
 where their pleasing vernal inflorescence may be observed. 
 
 The Chestnut Tree. Castanea. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Corylacete. Lin. Syst. Monoecia, Polyandria. 
 
 The chestnut, for its qualities in Landscape Gardening, 
 ranks with that king of the forest, the oak. Like that tree, 
 it attains an enormous size, and its longevity in some cases 
 is almost equally remarkable. Its fine massy foliage, and 
 sweet nuts, have rendered it a favourite tree since a very re- 
 mote period. Among the ancients, the latter were a com- 
 mon article of food. 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 181 
 
 " Sunt nobis mitia poraa 
 
 Castanea molles, et pressi copia lactis." 
 
 ViRG. EcL. 1. 
 
 They appear to have been ill general use, both in a raw and 
 cooked state. In times of scarcity, they probably supplied 
 in some measure the place of bread-stuffs, and were thence 
 highly valued : 
 
 "As for the thrice three angled beech nut shell, 
 Or Chestnut's armed huske and hid kernell, 
 No squire durst touch, the law would not afford, 
 Kept for the court, and for the king's own board." 
 
 Bp. Hall, Sat. B. III. 1. 
 
 Even to this day. in those parts of France and Italy near- 
 est the great chestnut forests of the Appenines, these nuts 
 form a large portion of the food which sustains the peasantry, 
 where grain is but little cultivated, and potatoes almost un- 
 known. There a sweet and highly nutritious flour is pre- 
 pared from them, which makes a delicious bread. Large 
 quantities of the fruit are therefore annually collected in those 
 countries, and dried and stored away for the winter's con- 
 sumption. Old Evelyn says, "the bread of the flour is ex- 
 ceedingly nutritive : it is a robust food, and makes women 
 well complexioned, as I have read in a good author. They 
 also make fritters of chestnut flour, which they wet with 
 rose-water, and sprinkle with grated parmigans, and so fry 
 them in fresh butter for a delicate." The fruit of the chest- 
 nut abounds in saccharine matter ; and we learn from a 
 French periodical, that experiments have been made, by 
 which it is ascertained that the kernel yields nearly sixteen 
 per cent, of good sugar. 
 
 As a timber tree, this is greatly inferior to the oak, being 
 
182 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 looser grained, and more liable to decay ; and the American 
 wood is more open to this objection than that produced on 
 the opposite side of the Atlantic. It is, however, in general 
 use among us, for posts and rails in fencing ; and when the 
 former are charred, they are found to be quite durable. 
 
 The finest natural situations for this tree, appear to be the 
 mountainous slopes of mild climates, where it attains the 
 greatest possible perfection. Michaux informs us, that the 
 most superb and lofty chestnuts in America are to be found 
 in such situations, in the forests of the Carolinas. Abroad, 
 every one will call to mind the far-famed chestnuts of Mount 
 Etna, of wonderful age and extraordinary size. The great 
 chestnut there, has excited the surprise of numerous travellers ; 
 at present, however, it appears to be scarcely more than 
 a mere shell, the wreck of former greatness. When visited 
 by M. Houel, {Arboretum Brit.) it was in a state of decay, 
 having lost the greater part of its branches, and its trunk was 
 quite hollow. A house was erected in the interior, and 
 some country people resided in it, with an oven, in which, ac- 
 cording to the custom of the country, they dried chestnuts, 
 filberts, and other fruits, which they wished to preserve for 
 winter use ; using as fuel, when they could find no other, 
 pieces cut with a hatchet from the interior of the tree. In 
 Brydone's time, in 1770 this tree measured two hundred 
 and four feet in circumference. He says it had the appear- 
 ance of five distinct trees ; but he was assured that the space 
 was once filled with solid timber, and there was no bark 
 on the inside. This circumstance of an old trunk, hollow in 
 the interior, becoming separated so as to have the appearance 
 of being the remains of several distinct trees, is frequently 
 met with in the case of very old mulberry trees in Great 
 Britain, and olive trees in Italy. Kircher, about a century 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 183 
 
 before Brydone, affirms that an entire flock of sheep might 
 be enclosed within the Etna chestnut, as in a fold.* {Ar- 
 boj^etiim Brit. p. 1988.) 
 
 In considering the chestnut as highly edapted to ornament 
 the grounds of extensive country residences, much that we 
 have already said of the oak will apply to this tree. When 
 young, its smooth stem, clear and bright foliage, and lively 
 aspect, when adorned with the numerous light greenish yel- 
 low blossoms, which project beyond the mass of leaves, ren- 
 der it a graceful and beautiful tree. It has long been a 
 favourite with the poets for its grateful shade ; and as the 
 roots run deep, the soil beneath it is sufficiently rich and 
 sheltered to afford an asylum for the minutest beauties of 
 the woods. Tennyson sweetly says : — 
 
 " That slope beneath the chestnut tall 
 Is wooed with choicest breaths of air, 
 Methinks that I could tell you all 
 The cowslips and the king cups there." 
 
 When old, its huge trunk, wide-spread branches, lofty head, 
 and irregular outline, all contribute to render it a picturesque 
 tree of the very first class. In that state, when standing 
 alone, with free room to develope itself on eveiy side, like 
 
 * One of the most celebrated Chestnut trees on record, is that call«d the Tort- 
 worth Chestnut, in England. In 1772, Lord Ducie, the owner, had a portrait of it 
 taken, which was accompanied by the following description : " The east view 
 of the ancient Chestnut tree at Tortworth, in the county of Gloucester, which 
 measures nineteen yards in circumference, and is mentioned by Sir Robert Aikins 
 in his history of that county, as a famous tree in King John's reign : and by Mr. 
 Evelyn in his Sylva, to have been so remarkable in the reign of King Stephen, 
 1135, as then to be called the great Chestnut of Tortworth ; from which, it may 
 reasonably be presumed to have been standing before the conquest, 1066." This 
 tree is still standing. 
 
184 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 the oak, it gives a character of dignity, majesty and grandeur, 
 to the scene, beyond the power of most trees to confer. It is 
 well known that the favourite tree of Salvator Rosa, and one 
 which was most frequently introduced with a singularly 
 happy effect into his wild and picturesque compositions, was 
 the chestnut ; sometimes a massy and bold group of its 
 verdure, but oftener an old and storm-rifted giant, half leaf- 
 less, or a barren trunk coated with a rich verdure of mosses 
 and lichens. 
 
 The chestnut in maturity, like the oak, has a great variety 
 of outline ; and no trees are better fitted than these for the 
 formation of grand groups, heavy masses, or wide outlines 
 of foliage. A higher kind of beauty, less tame, and possess- 
 ing more permanent interest to the picturesque eye, can be 
 formed of these two genera of trees when disposed in grand 
 masses, than with any other forest trees of temperate cli- 
 mates ; perhaps we may say of any climate. 
 
 There is so little difference in the common Sweet chestnut 
 {Castanea vesca,) of both hemispheres, that they are gene- 
 rally considered the same species. Varieties have been 
 produced in Europe, which far surpass our common chest- 
 nuts of the woods, in size, though not in delicacy, and rich- 
 ness of flavour. Those cultivated for the table in France, 
 are known by the name of marrons. These improved 
 sorts of the Spanish chestnut, bear fruit nearly as large as 
 that of the Horse-chestnut, inferior in sweetness, when raw, 
 to our wild species, but delicious when roasted. The Span- 
 ish chestnut thrives well, and forms a large tree, south of 
 the Highlands of the Hudson, but is rather tender north of 
 this neighborhood. A tree in the grounds at Presque Isle, 
 the seat of William Denning, Esq., Dutchess Co., is now 
 
 1 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 185 
 
 40 feet high. They may be procured from the nurseries, 
 and we can hardly recommend to our planters more accept- 
 able additions to our nut bearing forest trees. 
 
 The Chinquapin or Dwarf chestnut, (C.jo?«mi^a,) is a cu- 
 rious low bush, from four to six feet high. The leaves are 
 nearly the size of the ordinary chestnut, or rather smaller, 
 and the fruit about two-thirds as large. It is indigenous to 
 all the states south of Pennsylvania, and is often found in 
 great abundance. It is a curious little tree, or more properly 
 a shrub, and merits a place in the garden : or it may be 
 advantageously planted for underwood in a group of large 
 trees. 
 
 As the chestnut, like the oak, forms strong tap-roots, it is 
 removed with some difficulty. The finest trees are produced 
 from the nut, and their growth is much more rapid when 
 young, than that of the transplanted tree. It prefers a deep 
 sandy loam, rather moist than dry ; and will not, like many 
 forest trees, accommodate itself to wet and low situations. 
 
 The Osage Orange Tree. Madura. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Urticacese Lin. Syst. Dioecia, Tetrandria. 
 
 This interesting tree is found growing wild on the Arkan- 
 sas River, and other western tributaries of the Mississippi, 
 south of St. Louis, where, according to Mr. Nuttall, it attains 
 the height of 50 or 60 feet. The branches are rather light- 
 coloured, and armed with spines, (produced at every joint,) 
 about an inch and a half long. The leaves are long, ovate 
 and acuminate, or pointed at the extremity ; they are deep 
 
 24 
 
186 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 green, and more glossy and bright than those of the orange. 
 The blossoms are greenish ; and the fruit is about the shape 
 and size of a large orange, but the surface much rougher than 
 that fruit. In the south, we are told, it assumes a deep yel- 
 low colour, and, at a short distance, strikingly resembles the 
 common orange : the specimens of fruit which we have seen 
 growing in Philadelphia, did not assume that fine colour ; 
 but the appearance of the tree laden with it, is not unlike 
 that of a large orange tree. It was first transplanted into 
 our gardens from a village of the Osage tribe of Indians, 
 whence the common name of Osage orange. The introduc- 
 tion of this tree was one of the favourable results of Lewis 
 and Clarke's Expedition. It was named by the min honour 
 of the late Wm. Maclure, Esq. President of the American 
 Academy of Natural Sciences. 
 
 The wood is fine grained, yellow in colour, and takes a 
 brilliant polish. It is also very strong and elastic, and on 
 this account the Indians, of the wide district to which this 
 tree is indigenous, employ it extensively for bows, greatly 
 preferring it to any other timber. Hence its common name, 
 among the white inhabitants, is Bodac, a corruption of the 
 term bois d^arc, [bow-ioood,) of the French settlers. A fine 
 yellow dye is extracted from the wood, similar to that of the 
 Fustic. 
 
 As the Osage orange belongs to the monoBcious class of 
 plants, it does not perfect its fruit, unless both the male 
 and female trees are growing in the same neighbourhood. 
 Many have believed the fruit to be eatable, both from its fine 
 appearance, and from its affinity with, and resemblance to 
 that of the bread-fruit ; but all attempts to render it pleasant, 
 either cooked or in a raw state, have hitherto failed : it is 
 therefore probably inedible, though not injurious. Perhaps 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 187 
 
 when fully ripened, some mode of preparing it by baking or 
 otherwise, may render it palatable. 
 
 As an ornamental tree, the Osage orange is rather too 
 loose in the disposition of its wide-spreading branches, to be 
 called beautiful in its form. But the bright glossy hue of its 
 foliage, and especially the unique appearance of a good 
 sized tree when covered with the large orange-like fruit, ren- 
 der it one of the most interesting of our native trees ; while 
 it has the same charm of rarity as an exotic, since it was in- 
 troduced from the far west, and is yet but little planted in 
 the United States. On a small lawn, where but few trees 
 are needed, and where it is desirable that the species em- 
 ployed, should all be as distinct as possible, to give the whole 
 as much variety as can be obtained in a limited space, such 
 trees should be selected as will not only be ornamental, but 
 combine some other charm, association, or interest. Among 
 such trees, we would by all means give the Osage orange a 
 foremost place. It has the additional recommendation of 
 being a fine shade tree, and of producing an excellent and 
 durable wood. 
 
 The stout growth and strong thorns of this tree, have been 
 thought indicative of its usefulness for the making of hedges ; 
 a method of fencing, which sooner or later must be adopted in 
 many parts of this country : and from the experiments which 
 we have seen made with plants of the Osage orange, we 
 think it likely to answer a very valuable purpose ; especially 
 in the middle and southern states. The Messrs, Landreths 
 of Philadelphia, have lately offered many thousands of them 
 to the public, at a low rate, and we hope to see the matter 
 fairly tested in various parts of the Union. 
 
 A rich deep loam is the soil best adapted to the growth of 
 this tree ; and as it is rather tender when young, (though 
 
188 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 quite hardy when it attains considerable size,) it should, as 
 far as possible, be planted in a rather sheltered situation. A 
 dry soil is preferable, if it must be placed in a cold aspect, as 
 all plants not perfectly hardy are much injured by the late 
 growth, caused by an excess of moisture and consequent 
 immature state of the wood, which is unable to resist the 
 effects of a severe winter. 
 
 The Mulberry Tree. Morus. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Urticacese. Lin. Syst. Moncecia, Tetrandria. 
 
 The three principal species of the Mulberry, are the common 
 Red American, the European Black, and the White mul- 
 berries. None of them are truly handsome in scenery ; and 
 the two latter are generally low spreading trees, valued en- 
 tirely for the excellency of the fruit, or the suitableness of 
 the foliage for feeding silk worms. Our common mulberry, 
 however, in free, open situations, forms a large wide-spreading, 
 horizontally branched, and not inelegant tree : the rough, 
 heart-shaped leaves with which it is thickly clothed, afford 
 a deep shade ; and it groups well with the lime, the catalpa, 
 and many other round-headed trees. We consider it, there- 
 fore, duly entitled to a place in all extensive plantations ; 
 while the pleasant flavour of its slightly acid, dark red fruit, 
 will recommend it to those who wish to add to the delicacies 
 of the dessert. The timber of our wild mulberry tree is of 
 the very first quality ; when fully seasoned, it takes a dull 
 lemon-coloured hue, and is scarcely less durable than the 
 locust or Live oak. Like those trees, it is much valued by 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 189 
 
 ship-builders ; and at Philadelphia and Baltimore it com- 
 mands a high price, for the frame- work, knees, floor-timbers, 
 and trunnels of vessels. The Red mulberry is much slower 
 in its growth than the locust ; but so far as we are aware, 
 it is not liable to the attacks of any insect destructive to its 
 timber ; and it would probably be foimd profitable to culti- 
 vate it as a timber-tree. The locust, it will be remembered, 
 grows thriftily only on peculiar soils, loose, dry, and mellow : 
 the Red mulberry prefers deep, moist, and rich situations. 
 No extensive experiments, so far as we can learn, have been 
 made in its culture ; but we would recommend it to the 
 particular attention of those who have facilities for planta- 
 tions of this kind. 
 
 The Black mulberry of Europe, {Morus nigra,) is a low, 
 slow-growing tree, With rough leaves, somewhat resembling 
 those of our Red mulberry, but more coarsely serrated, and 
 often found divided into four or five lobes ; while the leaves, 
 which are not heart-shaped on our native species, are gene- 
 rally three-lobed. The European mulberry bears a fruit four 
 or five times as large as the American, full of rich, sweet 
 juice. It has long been a favourite in England, and is one 
 of the most healthy and delicious fruits of the season. 
 Glover says : 
 
 " There tbe flushing peach, 
 
 The apple, citron, almond, pear, and date, 
 Pomegranates, purple mulberry, and fig, 
 From interlacing branches mix their hues 
 And scents, the passengers' delight." 
 
 Leonid. 6. II. 
 
 We regret that so excellent a fruit should be so little cul- 
 tivated here. It succeeds extremely well in the middle 
 
190 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 States ; and as it ripens at the very period in midsummer 
 when fruits are scarcest, there can be no more welcome ad- 
 dition to our pomonal treasures, than its deep purple and 
 luscious berries. According to Loudon, it is a tree of great 
 durability ; in proof of which he quotes a specimen at Sion 
 House, 300 years old, which is supposed to have been planted 
 in the 16th century, by the botanist Turner. 
 
 The White mulberry, {M. alba,) is the species upon the 
 leaves of which the silk worms are fed. The fruit is insipid 
 and tasteless, and the tree is but little cultivated to embellish 
 ornamental plantations, though one of the most useful in the 
 world, when its importance in the production of silk is taken 
 into account. There are a great number of varieties of this 
 species to be found in the different nurseries and silk planta- 
 tions ; among them the Chinese mulberry, (M. multicaulis,) 
 grows rapidly, but scarcely forms more than a large shrub, at 
 the north ; and its very large, tender, and soft green foliage is 
 interesting in a large collection. The fruit is we believe of 
 no importance ; but it is the most valuable of all mulberries 
 as food for the silk worm, while its growth is the most 
 vigorous, and its leaves more easily gathered than those of 
 any other tree of the genus. 
 
 The Paper Mulberry Tree. Broussonetia. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Urticaceae. Lin. Syst. DicEcia, Tetrandria. 
 
 The Paper mulberry is an exotic tree of a low growth, 
 rarely exceeding twenty-five or thirty feet, indigenous to 
 Japan and the South Sea Islands, but very common in our 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 191 
 
 gardens. It is remarkable for the great variety of forms ex- 
 h ibited in its foliage ; as upon young trees it is almost im- 
 possible to find two exactly alike, though the prevailing out- 
 lines are either heart-shaped, or more or less deeply cut or 
 lobed. These leaves are considered valueless for feeding the 
 silk worm ; but in the South Seas, the bark is woven into 
 dresses worn by the females ; and in China and Japan, ex- 
 tensive use is made of it in the manufacture of a paper, of the 
 softest and most beautiful texture. This is fabricated from 
 the inner bark of the young shoots, which is first boiled 
 to a soft pulp, and then submitted to processes greatly simi- 
 lar to those performed in our paper-mills. This tree blos- 
 soms in spring, and ripens its fruit in the month of August. 
 The latter is dark scarlet, and quite singular and ornamental, 
 though of no value. The genus is dioecious ; and the rea- 
 son why so few fruit-bearing trees are seen in the United 
 States, is because we generally cultivate only one of the sexes, 
 the female. M. Parmentier, however, who introduced the 
 male plant from Europe, disseminated it in several parts of 
 the country ; and the beauty of the tree has thereby been 
 augmented by the increased interest which it possesses, 
 when laden with its long, hairy berries. 
 
 The value of the Paper mulberry, in ornamental planta- 
 tions, arises from its exotic look, as compared with other 
 trees, from the singular diversity 'of its foliage, the beauty 
 of its reddish berries, and from the rapidity of its growth. 
 It is deficient in hardiness for a colder climate than that of 
 New- York ; but farther south it is considerably esteemed as 
 a shade-tree, for lining the side-walks in cities. In winter, 
 its light fawn or ash-coloured bark, mottled with patches of 
 a darker gray, contrasts agreeably with other trees. It has 
 little picturesque beauty, and should never be planted in 
 
192 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 quantities, but only in scattered specimens, to give interest 
 and variety to a v/alk in the lawn or shrubbery. 
 
 The Sweet Gum Tree. Liquidamhar. 
 Nat. Ord. Platanaceae. Lin. Syst. Monoecia, Polyandria. 
 
 According to Michaux,* the Sweet gum is one of our most 
 extensively diffused trees. On the seashore, it is seen as 
 far north as Portsmouth ; and it extends as far south as the 
 Gulf of Mexico, and the Isthmus of Darien. In many of the 
 southern states, it is one of the commonest trees of the forest ; 
 it is rarely seen, however, along the banks of the Hudson, 
 (except in New- Jersey,) or other large streams of New- York. 
 It is not unlike the maple in general appearance, and its 
 palmate, five-lobed leaves are in outline much like the Sugar 
 maple, though darker in colour, and firmer in texture. It 
 may also be easily distinguished from that tree, by the 
 curious appearance of its secondary branches, which have a 
 peculiar roughness, owing to the bark attaching itself in 
 plates edgewise to the trunk, instead of laterally, as in the 
 usual maimer. The fruit is globular, somewhat resembling 
 that of the buttonwood, but much rougher, and bristling 
 with points. The male and female catkins appear, on 
 difierent branches of the same tree, early in the spring. 
 
 This tree grows in great perfection in the forests of New 
 Spain. It was first described by a Spanish naturalist. Dr. 
 Hernandez, who observed that a fragrant and transparent 
 
 *N. A. Sylva,1.315. 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 193 
 
 gum issued from its trunk in that country, to which, from its 
 appearance, he gave the name of Uquid amber ; this is now 
 the common name of the tree in Europe ; and the gum is at 
 present an article of export from Mexico, being chiefly val- 
 ued in medicine as a styptic, and for its healing and bal- 
 samic properties. " This substance, which in the shops is 
 sometimes called the white balsam of Peru, or liquid storax, 
 is, when it first issues from the tree, perfectly liquid and 
 clear, white, with a slight tinge of yellow, quite balsamic ; 
 and having a most agreeable fragrance, resembling that of 
 ambergris or styrax. It is stimulant and aromatic, and has 
 long been used in France as a perfume, especially for 
 gloves."* In the middle states a fragrant substance some- 
 times exudes from the leaves, and, by incision, small quan- 
 tities of the gum may be procured from the trunk ; but a 
 warmer climate appears to be necessary to its production in 
 considerable quantities. 
 
 We hardly know a more beautiful tree than the Liquid- 
 amber in every stage of its growth, and during every season 
 of the year. Its outline is not picturesque or graceful, but 
 simply beautiful, more approaching that of the maple than 
 any other : it is therefore a highly pleasing, round-headed 
 or tapering tree, which unites and harmonizes well with 
 almost any others in composition ; but the chief beauty 
 lies in the foliage. During the whole of the summer months, 
 it preserves, unsoiled that dark glossy freshness which is so 
 delightful to the eye ; while the singular, regularly palmate 
 form of the leaves readily distinguishes it from the common 
 trees of a plantation. But in autumn it assumes its gayest 
 livery, and is decked in colours alrhost too bright and vivid 
 
 * Arboretum Brit. 2051. 
 
 25 
 
194 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 for foliage ; forming one of the most brilliant objects in 
 American scenery, at that period of the year. The prevail- 
 ing tint of the foliage is then a deep purplish red, unlike 
 any symptom of decay, and quite as rich as is commonly 
 seen in the darker blossoms of a Dutch parterre. This is 
 sometimes varied by a shade deeper or lighter, and occasion- 
 ally an orange tint is assumed. When planted in the neigh- 
 bourhood of our fine maples, ashes, and other trees remark- 
 able for their autumnal colouring, the effect, in a warm, dry 
 autumn,'is almost magical. Whoever has travelled through 
 what are called the pine barrens of New- Jersey, in such a 
 season, must have been struck with the gay tints of the 
 numberless forest trees, which line the roads through those 
 sandy plains, and with the conspicuous beauty of the Sweet 
 gum, or Liquidamber. 
 
 The bark of this tree, when full grown, or nearly so, is 
 exceedingly rough and furrowed, like that of the oak. The 
 wood is fine-grained, and takes a good polish in cabinet- 
 work ; though it is not so durable, nor so much esteemed for 
 such purposes, as that of the Black walnut, and some other 
 native trees. The average height of full grown trees is about 
 35 or 40 feet. 
 
 Liquidambar styracifiua is the only North American 
 species. It grows most rapidly in moist or even wet situa- 
 tions, though it will accommodate itself to a drier soil. 
 
 The Walnut Tree. Juglans. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Juglandaceee. Lin. Syst. Monoecia, Polyandria. 
 
 The three trees which properly come under this head, and 
 belong to the genus Juglans, are the Black walnut, the Euro- 
 pean walnut, and the Butternut. 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 195 
 
 The Black walnut is one of the largest trees of our native 
 forests. In good soils it often attains a stature of 60 or 70 
 feet, and a diameter of three or four feet in the trunk, with a 
 corresponding amplitude of branches. The leaves, about a 
 foot or eighteen inches in length, are composed of six or eight 
 pairs of opposite leaflets, terminated by an odd one. They 
 contain a very strong aromatic odour, which is emitted plenti- 
 fully when they are bruised. The large nut, always borne 
 on the extremity of the young shoots, is round, and covered 
 with a thick husk ; which, instead of separating into pieces, 
 and falling off" like those of the hickory, rots away and 
 decays gradually. The kernel of the Black walnut, too 
 well known to need any description here, is highly esteemed, 
 and is even considered by some persons to possess a finer 
 flavour than any other walnut. 
 
 The timber of this tree is very valuable : when well sea- 
 soned it is as durable as the White oak, and is less liable to 
 the attacks of sea-worms, etc., than almost any other ; it is 
 therefore highly esteemed in naval architecture for certain 
 purposes. But its great value is in cabinet-work. Its 
 colour, when exposed to the air, is a fine, rich, dark brown, 
 beautifully veined in certain parts ; and as it takes a bril- 
 liant polish, it is coming into general use, in the United 
 States, for furniture, as well as for the interior finishing of 
 houses. 
 
 The Black walnut has strong claims upon the Landscape 
 Gardener, as it is one of the grandest and most massive trees 
 which he can employ. When full grown, it is scarcely in- 
 ferior in the boldness of its ramification, or the amplitude of 
 its head, to the oak or the chestnut ; and what it lacks in 
 spirited outline when compared with those trees, is fully com- 
 pensated, in our estimation, by its superb and heavy masses 
 
196 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 of foliage, which catch and throw off the broad Ughts and 
 shadows in the finest manner. When the Black walnut 
 stands alone on a deep fertile soil, it becomes a truly majes- 
 tic tree ; and its lower branches often sweep the ground in a 
 graceful curve, which gives additional beauty to its whole 
 expression. It is admirably adapted to extensive lawns, 
 parks, or plantations, where there is no want of room for the 
 attainment of its full size and fair proportions. Its rapid 
 growth and umbrageous foliage also recommend it for wide 
 public streets and avenues. 
 
 The European walnut {J. regia,) or as it is generally 
 termed here, the Madeira nut, is one of the most common 
 cultivated trees of Europe, where it was introduced originally 
 from Persia. It differs from our Black walnut, (which, how- 
 ever, it much resembles,) in the smooth, gray bark of the 
 stem, the leaves composed of three or four pair of leaflets, and 
 in the very thin-shelled fruit, which, though not exceed- 
 ing the Black walnut in size, yet contains a much larger 
 kernel, which is generally considered more delicate in fla- 
 vour. In the interior of France, orchards of the walnut are 
 planted, and a considerable commerce is carried on in its 
 products consisting chiefly of the fruit, of which large quan- 
 tities are consumed in all parts of Europe. The wood is 
 greatly used in the manufacture of gun-stocks, and in 
 cabinet-making ; (though it is much inferior to the American 
 walnut wood for this purpose ;) and the oil extracted from 
 the kernel, is in high estimation for mixing with delicate 
 colours used in painting, and other purposes. 
 
 The European walnut is a noble tree in size, and thickly 
 clad in foliage. It is much esteemed as a shade-tree by the 
 Dutch ; and Evelyn, who is an enthusiastic admirer of its 
 beauties, mentions their fondness for this tree as in the high- 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 197 
 
 est degree praiseworthy. " The Bergstras, [Bergstrasse] 
 which extends from Heidelberg to Darmstadt, is all planted 
 with Avalnuts ; for as by an ancient law, the Borderers were 
 obliged to nurse up and take care of them, and that chiefly 
 for their ornament and shade, so as a man may ride for 
 many miles about that country, under a continual arbour 
 or close walk, — the traveller both refreshed with the fruit 
 and shade. How much such public plantations improve the 
 glory and wealth of a nation ! In several places betwixt 
 Hanau and Frankfort in Germany, no young farmer is per- 
 mitted to marry a wife till he bring proof that he hath planted, 
 and is the father of a stated number of walnut trees."* 
 
 The nuts are imported into this country in great quan- 
 tities ; and as they are chiefly brought from Spain and 
 the Madeiras, they are here almost entirely known by the 
 name of the Madeira nut. The tree is but little culti- 
 vated among us, though highly deserving more extensive fa- 
 vour, both on account of its value and beauty. It grows 
 well in the climate of the middle states, and bears freely ; a 
 specimen eighteen or twenty years old, in the garden of the 
 author, has reached thirty-five feet in height, and bears two 
 or three bushels of fine fruit annually ; from which we have 
 already propagated several hundred individuals. It is not 
 perfectly hardy north of this. 
 
 As an ornamental tree, Gilpin remarks, that the warm rus- 
 set hue of its young foliage makes a pleasing variety among 
 the vivid green of other trees, about the end of May ; and 
 the same variety is maintained in summer, by the contrast of 
 its yellowish hue, when mixed in any quantity with trees of 
 a darker tint. It stands best alone, as the early loss of its 
 
 jn * Hunter's Evelyn, p. 168. 
 
198 LANliSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 foliage is then of less consequence, and its ramijfication is 
 generally beautiful. 
 
 The Butternut, (/. cathartica,) belongs to this section, and 
 is chiefly esteemed for its fruit ; which abounds in oil, and is 
 very rich and sweet. The foliage somewhat resembles that 
 of the Black walnut, though the leaflets are smaller and nar- 
 rower. The form of the nut, however, is strikingly different, 
 being oblong, oval, and narrowed to a point at the extremity. 
 Unlike the walnut, the husk is covered with a sticky gum, 
 and the surface of the nut is much rougher than any other of 
 the walnut genus. The bark of the butternut is gray, and 
 the tops of old trees generally have a flattened appearance. 
 It is frequently an uncouth, ill-shapen, and ugly tree in form, 
 though occasionally, also, quite striking and picturesque. 
 And it is well worthy of a place for the excellence of its 
 fruit,* 
 
 The Hickory Tree. Carya. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Juglandaceee. Lin. Syst. MoncEcia, Polyandria. 
 
 The hickories are fine and lofty North American trees, 
 highly valuable for their wood, and the excellent fruit borne 
 by some of the species. The timber is extremely elastic, and 
 very heavy, possessing great strength and tenacity. It is not 
 
 * Loudon errs greatly in his Arboretum, in supposing the butternut to be identi- 
 cal with the Black walnut : no trees in the whole American forest are more 
 easily distinguished at first sight. He also states the fruit to be rancid and of 
 little value ; but no American lad of a dozen years will accord with him in this 
 opinion. t* 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 199 
 
 much employed in architecture, as it is peculiarly liable to 
 the attacks of worms, and decays quickly when exposed to 
 moisture. But it is very extensively employed for all pur- 
 poses requiring great elasticity and strength ; as for axletrees, 
 screws, the wooden rings used upon the rigging of vessels, 
 whip-handles, and axe-handles ; and an immense quantity 
 of the young poles are employed in the manufacture of hoops, 
 for which they are admirably adapted. 
 
 For fuel, no American wood is equal to this in the brilliancy 
 with which it burns, or in the duration, or amount of heat 
 given out by it : it therefore commands the highest price in 
 market for that purpose. 
 
 The hickories are nearly allied to the walnuts ; the chief 
 botanical distmction consisting in the covering to the nut, 
 or husk ; which in the hickories separates into four valves, 
 or pieces, when ripe, instead of adhering in a homogeneous 
 coat, as upon the Black walnut and butternut. In size 
 and appearance, the hickories rank with the first class of 
 forest trees ; most of them growing vigorously to the height 
 of 60 or 80 feet, with fine straight trmiks, well balanced and 
 ample heads, and handsome, lively, pinnated foliage. When 
 confined among other trees in the forest, they shoot up 50 or 
 60 feet without branches ; but when standing singly, they 
 expand into a fine head near the ground, and produce a 
 noble, lofty pyramid of foliage, rather rounded at the top. 
 They have all the qualities which are necessary to consti- 
 tute fine, graceful, park trees, and are justly entitled to a 
 place in every considerable plantation. 
 
 The most ornamental species are the Shellbark hickory, 
 the Pignut and the Pecan-nut. The former and the latter 
 produce delicious nuts,, and are highly worthy of cultivation 
 for their fruit alone ; while all of them assume very hand- 
 
200 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 some shapes during every stage of their growth, and ulti- 
 mately become noble trees. Varieties of the Shellbark 
 hickory are sometimes seen producing nuts of twice or thrice 
 the ordinary size ; and we have not the least doubt that the 
 fruit might be so improved m size and delicacy of flavour, 
 by careful cultivation, as greatly to surpass the European 
 walnut, for the table. This result will probably be attained 
 by planting the nuts of the finest varieties found'in our woods, 
 in rich moist soil, kept in high cultivation ; as all improved 
 varieties of fruit have been produced in this way, and not, 
 as many suppose, by cultivating the original species. These 
 remarks also apply to the Pecan-nut ; a western sort, which 
 thrives well in the middle states, and which produces a 
 nut more delicate in flavour than any other of this con- 
 tinent. 
 
 These trees form strong tap-roots, and are therefore some- 
 what difficult to transplant ; but they are easily reared from 
 the nut ; and, for the reason stated above, this method 
 should be adopted in preference to any other, except in 
 particular cases. 
 
 The principal species of the hickory are the following : 
 
 The Shellbark hickory, (C alha,) so called on account of 
 the roughness of its bark, which is loosened from the trunk 
 in long scales or pieces, bending outwards at the extremity, 
 and remaining attached by the middle ; this takes place, how- 
 ever, only on trees of some size. The leaves are composed of 
 two pair of leaflets, with an odd or terminal one. The 
 scales which cover the buds of the Shellbark in winter, 
 adhere only to the lower half, while the upper half of the 
 bud is left uncovered, by which this sort is readily dis- 
 tinguished from the other species. The hickory nuts of our 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 201 
 
 markets are the product of this tree ; they are much esteemed 
 in every part of the Union, and are exported in considerable 
 quantities to Europe. Among many of the descendants of 
 the original Dutch settlers of New- York and New- Jersey, 
 the fruit is commonly known by the appellation of the 
 Kisky-tom nut* 
 
 The Pecan-nut, {Paoainer of the French,) (C. olivmfor- 
 mis,) is found only in the western states. It abounds on 
 the Missouri, Arkansas, Wabash, and Illinois Rivers ; and a 
 portion of the Ohio : Michaux states that there is a swamp of 
 800 acres on the right bank of the Ohio, opposite the Cum- 
 berland river, entirely covered with it. It is a handsome, 
 stately tree, about 60 or 70 feet in height, with leaves a foot 
 or eighteen inches long, composed of six or seven pairs of 
 leaflets much narrower than those of our hickories. The 
 nuts are contained in a thin, somewhat four-sided husk ; they 
 are about an inch or an inch and a half long, smooth, cylin- 
 drical, and thin-shelled. The kernel is not, like most of the 
 hickories, divided by partitions, and it has a very delicate and 
 agreeable flavour. They form an object of petty commerce 
 between Upper and Lower Louisiana. From New-Orleans, 
 they are exported to the West Indies, and to the ports of the 
 United States.t 
 
 Besides these two most valuable species, our forests pro- 
 duce the Pignut hickory, (C porcina,) a lofty tree, with five 
 to seven pairs of leaflets, so called from the comparative 
 worthlessness of its fruit ; which is very thick-shelled, and 
 generally is left on the ground for the swine, squirrels, etc., to 
 
 * In some parts, pleasant social parties which meet at stated times during the 
 winter season, are called Kisky-toms, from the regular appearance of these nuts 
 among the refreshments of the evening. 
 
 tN. A. Sylva, 1. 168. 
 
 26 
 
202 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 devour. It is easily distinguished in winter by the smaller 
 size of its brown shoots, and its small oval buds. Its wood is 
 considered the toughest and strongest of any of the trees o f 
 this section. The thick Shellbark hickory, (C. laciniosa,) 
 resembles much in size and appearance the common Shell- 
 bark ; but the nuts are double the size, the shell much thicker 
 and yellowish, while that of the latter is white. It is but 
 little known except west of the Alleghanies. The Mocker- 
 nut hickory, (C tomentosa,) is so called from the deceptive 
 appearance of the nuts, which are generally of large size, but 
 contain only a very small kernel. The leaves are composed 
 of but four pairs of sessile leaflets, with an odd one at the end. 
 The trunk of the old trees is very rugged, and the wood is 
 one of the best for fuel. 
 
 The Bitternut hickory, (C amara,) sometimes called the 
 White hickory, grows 60 feet high in New- Jersey. The 
 husk which covers the nut of this species, has four winged 
 appendages on its upper half, and never hardens like the 
 other sorts, but becomes soft and decays. The shell is thin, 
 but the kernel is so bitter, that even the squirrels refuse to 
 eat it. The Water Bitternut, (C aquatica,) is a very in- 
 ferior sort, growing in the swamps and rice fields of the 
 southern states. The leaflets are serrated, and resemble in 
 shape the leaves of the peach tree. Both the fruit and tim- 
 ber are much inferior to those of all the other hickories. 
 
 The Mountain Ash Tree. Pyrus* 
 Nat. Ord. Rosacea. Lin. Syst. Icosandria, Di-Pentagynia. 
 
 The European Mountain ash {Pyrus aucuparia,) is an 
 
 * Sorbus of the old Botanists. 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 203 
 
 elegant tree of the medium size, with an erect stem, smooth 
 bark, and round head. The leaves are pinnated, four or five 
 inches in length, and slightly resemble those of the ash. The 
 snow-white flowers are produced in large flat clusters, in 
 the month of May, which are thickly scattered over the 
 outer surface of the tree, and give it a lively appearance. 
 These are succeeded by numerous bunches of berries, which 
 in autumn turn to a brilliant scarlet, and are then highly 
 ornamental. For the sake of these berries, this tree is a great 
 favourite with birds ; and in Germany it is called the Vogel 
 Beerhaum : i. e. bird's berry tree, and is much used by bird 
 catchers to bait their springs with. 
 
 Twenty-five feet is about the average height of the Moun- 
 tain ash in this country. Abroad, it grows more vigorously ; 
 and in Scotland, where it is best known by the name of the 
 Roan or Rowan tree, it sometimes reaches the altitude of 35 
 or 40 feet. The lower classes throughout the whole of 
 Britain, for a long time attributed to its branches the power 
 of being a sovereign charm against witches ; and Sir Tho- 
 mas Lauder informs us that this superstition is still in 
 existi^ce in many parts of the Highlands, as well as in Wales. 
 It is probable that this tree was a great favourite with the 
 Druids ; for it is often seen growing near their ancient 
 mystical circles of stones. The dairy maid, in many parts 
 of England, still preserves the old custom of driving her 
 cows to pasture with a switch of the roan tree, which she 
 believes has the power to shield them from all evil spells.* 
 " Evelyn mentions that it is customary in Wales, to plant 
 this tree in 'church-yards ; and Miss Kent in her Sylvan 
 Sketches, makes the following remarks : — " In former times 
 this tree was supposed to be possessed of the property of 
 
 * Lightfoot, Flora Scodca. 
 
204 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 driving away witches and evil spirits ; and this property is 
 alluded to in one of the stanzas of a very ancient song, 
 called the Laidley Worm of Spindletoii's Heughs. 
 
 ' Their spells were vain ; the boys retum'd 
 
 To the queen in sorrowful mood, 
 
 Crying that " witches have no power 
 
 Where there is roan-tree wood ?' 
 
 The last line of this stanza leads to the true reading of a 
 stanza in Shakspeare's tragedy of Macbeth. The sailor's 
 wife, on the witch's requesting some chestnuts, hastily 
 answers, ' A rown-tree, witch !' — ^but many of the editions 
 have it, 'aroint thee witch!' which is nonsense, and evi- 
 dently a corruption."* 
 
 The European Mountain ash is quite a favourite with 
 cultivators here, and deservedly so. Its foliage is extremely 
 neat, its blossoms pretty, and its blazing red berries in autumn 
 communicate a cheerfulness to the season, and harmonize 
 happily with the gay tints of our native forest trees. It is 
 remarkably well calculated for small plantations or collec- 
 tions, as it grows in almost any soil or situation, takes but 
 little room, and is always interestmg. " In the Scottish High- 
 lands, says Gilpin, " on some rocky momitain covered with 
 dark pines and waving birch, which cast a solemn gloom on 
 the lake below, a few Mountain ashes joining in a clump, and 
 mixing with them, have a fine effect. In summer, the light 
 green tint of their foliage, and in autumn the glowing berries 
 which hang clustering upon them, contrast beautifully with 
 the deeper green of the pines: and if they are happily 
 blended, and not in too large a proportion, they add some 
 of the most picturesque furnitiue with which the sides of 
 
 * Arboretum et Fruticetum, p. 918. 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 205 
 
 those rugged mountains are invested." We have seen the 
 Mountain ash here, displaying itself in great beauty, mingled 
 with a group of hemlocks, from among the deep green foli- 
 age of which, the coral berries of the former seemed to shoot 
 out ; their colour heightened by the dark back ground of 
 evergreen boughs. 
 
 The American Mountain ash, {Pyrus Americana) is a 
 native of the momitains along the banks of the Hudson, and 
 other cold and elevated situations in the north of the United 
 States : on the Catskill we have seen some handsome speci- 
 mens near the Mountain House ; but generally it does not 
 grow in so comely a shape, or form so handsome a tree 
 as the foreign sort. In the general appearance of the leaves 
 and blossoms, however, it so nearly resembles the European, 
 as to be thought merely a variety by some botanists. The 
 chief difference between them appears to be in the colour of 
 the fruit, which on our native tree, is copper coloured or 
 dull purplish red. It may probably assume a handsome 
 shape when cultivated. 
 
 The Sorb or Service tree, {Pyrus Sorbus,) is an interest- 
 ing species of Pyrus, a native of Europe, which is sometimes 
 seen in our gardens, and deserves a place for its handsome 
 foliage, and its clusters of fruit ; which somewhat resemble 
 those of the Mountain ash, and are often eaten when in a 
 state of incipient decay. The leaves are coarser than those 
 of the Mountain ash, and the tree is larger, often attaining 
 the height of 50 or 60 feet in its native soil. 
 
 The White Beam, {Pyrus Aria,) is another foreign species, 
 also bearing bunches of handsome scarlet berries, and clus- 
 ters of white flowers. The leaves, however, are not pinna- 
 ted, but simply serrated on the margin. It grows 30 feet 
 
206 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 high, and as the fohage is dark green on the upper side, and 
 downy white beneath, it presents an effect greatly resembUng 
 that of the Silver poplar, in a slight breeze. Abroad, the 
 timber is considered valuable ; but here it is chiefly planted 
 to produce a pleasing variety among other trees, by its 
 peculiar foliage, and scarlet, autumnal fruit. 
 
 All the foregoing trees grow naturally in the highest, most 
 exposed, and, often, almost barren situations. When, how- 
 ever, a rapid growth is desired, they should be planted in a 
 more moist and genial soil. They are easily propagated 
 from the seed, and some of the sorts may be grafted on the 
 pear or hawthorn. The seeds, in all cases, should be sown 
 in autumn. 
 
 The Ailantus Tree. Ailantus. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Xanthoxylacese. Lin. Syst. Polygamia, Moncecia. 
 
 Ailanto is the name of this tree in the Moluccas, and is 
 said to signify Tree of Heaven ; an appellation probably 
 bestowed on account of the rapidity of its growth, and the 
 great height which it reaches in the East Indies, its native 
 country. When quite young it is not unlike a sumac in 
 appearance ; but the extreme rapidity of its growth, and the 
 great size of its pinnated leaves, four or five feet long, soon 
 distinguish it from that shrub. During the first half dozen 
 years it outstrips almost any other deciduous tree in vigour 
 of growth, and we have measured leading stems which had 
 grown twelve or fifteen feet in a single season. In four or 
 five years, therefore, it forms quite a bulky head, but after 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 207 
 
 that period it advances more slowly, and in 20 years would 
 probably be overtopped by the poplar, the plane, or any other 
 fast growing tree. There are, as yet, no specimens in this 
 country more than 70 feet high ; but the trunk shoots up 
 in a fine column, and the head is massy and irregular in 
 outline. In this country it is planted purely for ornament ; 
 but we learn that in Europe its wood has been applied 
 to cabinet-work ; for which, from its close grain, and bright 
 satin-like lustre, it is well adapted,* The male and female 
 flowers are borne on separate trees, and both sexes are now 
 common, especially in New- York, The male forms the 
 finer ornamental tree, the female being rather low, and 
 spreading in its head. 
 
 In New- York and Philadelphia, the Ailantus is more gene- 
 rally known by the name of the Celestial tree, and is much 
 planted in the streets and public squares. For such situa- 
 tions it is admirably adapted, as it will insinuate its strong 
 roots into the most meagre and barren soil, where few other 
 trees will grow, and soon produce an abundance of foliage 
 and fine shade. It appears also to be perfectly free from 
 insects; and the leaves instead of dropping slowly, and 
 for a long time, fall off" almost immediately when frost 
 commences. 
 
 The Ailantus is well adapted to produce a good effect on 
 the lawn, either singly or grouped; as its fine long foliage 
 catches the light well, and contrasts strikingly with that of 
 the round-leaved trees. It has a troublesome habit of pro- 
 ducing suckers, however, which must exclude it from every 
 place but a heavy sward, where the surface of the ground is 
 never stirred by cultivation. 
 
 The branches of this tree are entirely destitute of the small 
 
 * Annales de la Societie d' Horticulture. 
 
208 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 spray so common on most forest trees, and have a singularly 
 naked look in winter, well calculated to fix the attention of 
 the spectator at that dreary season. 
 
 The largest Ailantus trees in America are growing in 
 Rhode-Island, where it was introduced from China, under 
 the name of the Tillou tree. It has since been rapidly pro- 
 pagated by suckers and is now one of the commonest orna- 
 mental trees sold in the nurseries. The finest trees, how- 
 ever, are those raised from seed. 
 
 The Kentucky Coffee Tree. Gymnocladus. 
 Nat. Ord. Leguminosae. Lin. Syst. Dioecia, Decandria. 
 
 This unique tree is found in the western part of the State 
 of New- York, and as far north as Montreal, in Canada. But 
 it is seen in the greatest perfection, in the fertile bottoms of 
 Kentucky and Tennesse. Sixty feet is the usual height of 
 the Coflee tree in those soils ; and judging from specimens 
 growing under our inspection, it will scarcely fall short of 
 that altitude, in well cultivated situations, any where in the 
 middle states. 
 
 When in full foliage, this is a very beautiful tree. The 
 whole leaf, doubly compomid and composed of a great num- 
 ber of bluish-green leaflets, is generally three feet long, and 
 of two-thirds that width on thrifty trees ; and the whole 
 foliage hangs in a well-rounded mass, that would look almost 
 too heavy, were it not lightened in efiect by the loose, tufted 
 appearance of each individual leaf The flowers, which are 
 white, are borne in loose spikes, in the beginning of summer ; 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 209 
 
 and are succeeded by ample brown pods, flat and somewhat 
 curved, which contain six or seven large gray seeds, imbedded 
 in a sweet pulpy substance. As the genus is dioecious, it is 
 necessary that both sexes of this tree should be growing near 
 each other, in order to produce seed. 
 
 When Kentucky was first settled by the adventurous pio- 
 neers from the Atlantic States, who commenced their career 
 in the primeval wilderness, almost without the necessaries 
 of life, except as produced by them from the fertile soil ; 
 they fancied that they had discovered a substitute for coffee 
 in the seeds of this tree, and accordingly the name of Coffee 
 tree was bestowed upon it : but when a communication 
 was established with the seaports, they gladly relinquished 
 their Kentucky beverage, for the more grateful flavour of 
 the Indian plant ; and no use is at present made of it in 
 that maimer. It has, however, a fine, compact wood, highly 
 useful in building or cabinet-work. 
 
 The Kentucky Cofiee tree is well entitled to a place in 
 every collection. In summer, its charming foliage and agree- 
 able flowers render it a highly beautiful lawn tree ; and in 
 winter, it is certainly one of the most novel trees, in appear- 
 ance, in our whole native sylva. Like the Ailantus, it is 
 entirely destitute of small spray, but it also adds to this the 
 additional singularity of thick, blmit, terminal branches, 
 without any perceptible buds. Altogether it more resembles 
 a dry, dead, and withered combination of sticks, than a 
 living and thrifty tree. Although this would be highly 
 monotonous and displeasing, were it the common appearance 
 of our deciduous trees in winter ; yet, as it is not so, but a 
 rare and very unique exception to the usual beautiful diver- 
 sity of spray and ramification, it is highly interesting to 
 
 27 
 
210 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 place such a tree'as the present in the neighbourhood of other 
 full-sprayed species, where the curiosity which it excites 
 will add greatly to its value as an interesting object at that 
 period of the year.* 
 
 [Fig. 35. The Kentucky Coffee Tree.] 
 
 The seeds vegetate freely, and the tree is usually propa- 
 gated in that manner. It prefers a rich, strong soil, like most 
 trees of the western states. 
 
 * There are some very fine specimens upon the lawn at Dr Hosack's seat, Hyde 
 Park, N. Y. which have fruited for a number of years. See Fig. 35. 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 211 
 
 The Willow Tree. Salix. 
 Nat. Ord. Salicacese. Lin. Syst. Dioecia, Diandria. 
 
 A very large genus, comprising plants of almost every 
 stature, from minute shrubs of three or four inches in height, 
 to lofty and wide-spreading trees of fifty or sixty feet.t 
 They are generally remarkable for their narrow leaves, and 
 slender, round, and flexible branches. 
 
 There are few of these willows which are adapted to add 
 to the beauty of artificial scenery ; but among them are 
 three or four trees, which, from their peculiar character, de- 
 serve especial notice. These are the Weeping, or Babylonian 
 willow, {Salix Bahylonica f) the White, or Huntington wil- 
 low, {S. alba;) the Golden willow, {S. vitellina ;) the Russell 
 willow, {S. Russelliana ;) and the profuse Flowering wil- 
 low, {S. caprea.) 
 
 The above are all foreign sorts, which, however, (except 
 the last,) have long ago been introduced, and are now quite 
 common in the United States. All of them, except the first, 
 have an upright or wavy, spreading growth, and form lofty 
 trees, considerably valued abroad for their timber. The 
 White willow, and the Russell willow are very rapid in their 
 growth, and have a pleasing light green foliage. The Golden 
 willow is remarkable for its bright yellow bark, which ren- 
 ders it quite ornamental, even in winter. It is a middle sized 
 tree, and is often seen growing along the road-sides in the 
 eastern and middle states. tSalix caprea is deserving a place 
 in collections, for the beauty of its abundant blossoms, at an 
 
 t Dr. Barratt of Middletown, Conn., who has paid great attention to the willow, 
 enumerates 100 species, as growing in North America, either indigenous or in- 
 troduced. 
 
212 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 early and cheerless period in the spring. There are a num- 
 ber of other species found growing in different parts of the 
 Union, which may perhaps possess sufficient interest to re- 
 commend themselves to the planter. 
 
 The chief, and indeed almost the only value of these wil- 
 lows in Landscape Gardening, is to embellish low grounds, 
 streams of water, or margins of lakes. When mingled with 
 other trees, they often harmonize so badly from their ex- 
 tremely different habits, foliage, and colour, that unless 
 very sparingly introduced, they cannot fail to have a bad 
 effect. On the banks of streams, however, they are ex- 
 tremely appropriate, hanging their slender branches over 
 the liquid element, and drawing genial nourishment from 
 the moistened soil. 
 
 " Le saule incline surla rive penchante, 
 Balan^ant mollement sa tete blanchissante." 
 
 In the middle distance of a scene, also, where a stream 
 winds partially hidden, or which might otherwise wholly 
 escape the eye, these trees, if planted along its course, con- 
 nected as they are, in our minds, with watery soils, will 
 not fail to direct the attention, and convey forcibly the 
 impression of a brook or river, winding its way beneath 
 their shade. 
 
 The Weeping willow, however, is at once one of the 
 most elegant, graceful, and interesting trees ; elegant in its 
 light and delicate waving foliage ; and graceful in the soft 
 flowing lines formed by its drooping branches ; and in- 
 teresting by the melancholy, poetical, and scriptural asso- 
 ciations comiected with it. Every one will call to mind 
 the captivity of the children of Israel, as connected with 
 this tree : " By the waters of Babylon we sat down and 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 213 
 
 wept, O Zion ! As for our harps, we hanged them upon 
 the willow trees :" Psalm cxxxvii. And the gentle sigh 
 of the faintest breeze, through its light foliage, still recalls 
 to the niind the plaintive murmur of those abandoned 
 harps, which one may fancy to have bequeathed their last 
 tones of music to its pensile branches. 
 
 Since that period, the willow appears to have been, more 
 or less, consecrated to a tender sentiment of grief, 
 
 " Trailing low its boughs, to hide 
 The gleaming marble." 
 
 To these offices of pensive melancholy, it appears to be 
 dedicated in almost all countries. The Chinese and other 
 Asiatic nations, and the Turks, as well as the enlightened 
 Europeans, universally plant it in their cemeteries and last 
 places of repose. A French writer thus speaks of it, in 
 contrasting its merits for those purposes, with the cypress. 
 " The cypress was long considered as the appropriate orna- 
 ment of the cemetry ; but its gloomy shade among the 
 tombs, and its thick, heavy foliage, of the darkest green, 
 inspire only depressing thoughts, and present the image of 
 death under its most appalling form. The Weeping wil- 
 low, on the contrary, rather conveys a picture of grief for 
 the loss of the departed, than of the darkness of the grave. 
 Its light and elegant foliage, flows like the dishevelled hair 
 and graceful drapery of a sculptured mourner over a sepul- 
 chral urn ; and conveys those soothing, though softly 
 melancholy reflections, which have made one of our poets 
 to exclaim, ' There is a pleasure even in grief.' "* On this 
 passage, Loudon remarks : " Notwithstanding the prefe- 
 
 * Poiteau, Noveau du Hamel. 
 
214 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 rence thus given the willow, the shape of the cypress, 
 conveying to a fanciful mind the idea of a flame pointing 
 upwards, has been supposed to afford an emblem of the 
 hope of immortality ; it is still planted in many church- 
 yards on the continent, and alluded to in the epitaphs, 
 under this light."* 
 
 Abroad, the willow was in ancient days worn by young 
 girls, as a symbol of grief for one of their own sex who 
 died yomig : 
 
 " Lay a garland on my hearse, 
 Of the dismal yew ; 
 Maidens, willow branches wear, , 
 
 Say I died true." 
 
 The poets often allude to the willow : 
 
 " A willow garland thou didst send 
 
 Perfumed last day to me ; 
 Which did but only this portend, 
 
 I was forsook by thee. 
 Since so it is, I'll tell thee what, 
 
 To-morrow thou shalt see 
 Me wear the willow, after that 
 
 To die upon the tree." Herrick. 
 
 In landscapes, the Weeping willow is peculiarly expressive 
 of grace and softness. Although a highly beautiful tree, 
 great care must be used in its introduction, to preserve the 
 harmony and propriety of the whole ; as nothing could be 
 more strikingly inappropriate, than to intermix it frequently 
 with trees expressive of dignity or majesty, as the oak, etc ; 
 where the violent contrast exhibited in the near proximity 
 of the two opposite forms, could only produce discord. 
 
 * Arb. Brit. 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 215 
 
 The favourite place, where it is most true to nature and 
 itself, is near water, where 
 
 " it dips 
 
 Its pendant boughs, stooping as if to drink." 
 
 COWPER. 
 
 There, when properly introduced, not in too great abun- 
 dance, hanging over some rustic bridge, or cool jutting 
 spring, and supported, and brought into harmony with 
 surromiding vegetation by such other graceful and light- 
 sprayed trees, as the Birch and Weeping elm, its effect is 
 often surpassingly beautiful and appropriate. There it is 
 one of the first in the vernal season to burst its buds, and 
 mirror its soft green foliage in the flood beneath, and one of 
 the last in autumn to yield its leafy vesture to the chilling 
 frosts, or fitful gusts of approaching winter. 
 
 We consider the Weeping willow ill calculated for a place 
 near a mansion, which has any claims to size, magnificence, 
 or architectural beauty ; as it does not in any way contribute 
 by its form or outline to add to, or strengthen such charac- 
 teristics in a building. The only place where it can be 
 happily situated in this way, is in the case of very humble 
 or inconspicuous cottages, which we have seen much orna- 
 mented by being completely hidden, as it were, beneath 
 the soft veil of its streaming foliage. 
 
 There is a very singular variety of the Weeping willow 
 cultivated in our gardens, under the name of the Ringlet 
 willow ; which is so remarkable in the form of its foliage, 
 and so different from all other trees, that it is well worth a 
 place as a curiosity. Each leaf is curled round like a ring 
 or hoop, and the appearance of a branch in full foliage is 
 not unlike a thinly curled ringlet ; whence its common 
 name. It forms a neat, middle-sized tree, with drooping 
 
216 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 branches, though hardly so pendant as the Weeping 
 willow. 
 
 The uses of the willow are extremely numerous. Abroad 
 it is extensively cultivated in coppices, for timber and fuel, 
 for hoops, ties, etc. ; and we are informed, that in the north- 
 ern parts of Europe, and throughout the Russian Empire, 
 the twigs are employed in manufacturing domestic utensils, 
 harness, cables, and even for the houses of the peasantry 
 themselves. From the fibres of the bark, it is said that a 
 durable cloth is woven by the Tartars ; and the bark is 
 used for tanning, in various parts of the eastern continent. 
 
 But by far the most extensive use to which this plant is 
 applied, is in the manufacture of baskets. From the earliest 
 periods it has been devoted to this purpose, and large plan- 
 tations, or osier-fields, as they are called, are devoted to the 
 culture of particular kinds for this purpose, both in Europe 
 and America. The common Basket willow, an European 
 species, [iS. viminalis,) is the sort usually grown for this 
 purpose, but several others are also employed. For the 
 culture of the basket willows, a deep, moist, though not 
 inundated soil is necessary ; such as is generally found on 
 the margins of small streams, or low lands. " Ropes and 
 baskets made from willow twigs, were probably among the 
 very earliest manufactures, in countries where these trees 
 abound. The Romans used the twigs for binding their 
 vines, and tying their reeds in bundles, and made all sorts 
 of baskets of them. A crop of willows was considered so 
 valuable in the time of Cato, that he ranks the Salictum, or 
 willow field, next in value to the vineyard, and the garden. 
 (Art. Salix, Arb. Brit.) 
 
 Among us, the European Basket willow is extensively 
 cultivated, and very large plantations are to be seen in the 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 217 
 
 low grounds of New- Jersey and Pennsylvania. The wood 
 of some of the tree willows, and particularly that of the 
 Yellow willow, and the Shining willow, {S. lucida,) is 
 greatly used in making charcoal for the manufacture of 
 gmipowder. 
 
 It is almost uimecessary to say, that all the willows grow 
 readily from slips or truncheons planted in the ground. So 
 tenacious of life are they, that examples are known where 
 small trees have been taken up and completely inverted, by 
 planting the branches and leaving the roots exposed, which 
 have nevertheless thrown out new roots from the former 
 tops, and the roots becoming branches, the tree grew again 
 with its ordinary vigour. 
 
 The Sassafras Tree. Laurus. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Lauraceee. Lin. Syst. Enneandria, Monogynia. 
 
 The Sassafras is a neat tree of the middle size, belonging 
 to the same family as the European laurel or Sweet bay. 
 it is foimd, more or less plentifully, through the whole 
 territory of the United States. In favourable soils, along 
 the banks of the Hudson, it often grows to 40 or 50 feet in 
 height ; but in the woods it seldom reaches that altitude. 
 The flowers are yellow, and appear in small clusters in 
 May, and the fruit is a small, deep blue berry, seated on a 
 red footstalk or cup. The bark of the wood and roots has 
 an agreeable smell and taste, and is a favourite ingredient, 
 with the branches of the spruce, in the small beer made by 
 the country people. Medicinally, it is considered anti-scor, 
 
 28 
 
218 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 butic, and sudorific ; and is thought efficacious in purifying 
 the blood. It was formerly in great repute with practitioners 
 abroad, and large quantities of the bark of the roots were 
 shipped to England ; but the demand has of late greatly 
 decreased. 
 
 The Sassafras is a very agreeable tree to the eye, decked 
 as it is with its glossy, deep green, oval, or three-lobed 
 leaves. When fully grown, it is also quite picturesque for 
 a tree of so moderate a size ; as its branches generally have 
 an irregular, somewhat twisted look, and the head is par- 
 tially flattened, and considerably varied in outline. After 
 ten years of age, this tree always looks older than it really 
 is, from its rough, deeply cracked, gray bark, and rather 
 crooked stem. It often appears extremely well on the 
 borders of a plantation, and mixes well with almost any of 
 the heavier, deciduous trees. As it is by no means so com- 
 mon a tree as many of those already noticed, it is generally 
 the more valued, and may frequently be seen growing along 
 the edges of cultivated fields and pastures, appearing to 
 thrive well in any good mellow soil. 
 
 The Catalpa Tree. Catalpa. 
 Nat. Ord. Bignoniacese. Lin. Syst. Diandria, Monogynia. 
 
 A native of nearly all the states south and west of Vir- 
 ginia, this tree has now become naturalized also throughout 
 the middle and eastern sections of the Union, where it is 
 generally planted for ornament. 
 
 In Carolina it is called the Catawba tree, after the Cataw- 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 219 
 
 ba Indians, a tribe that formerly inhabited that country ; 
 and it is probable that the softer epithet now generally 
 bestowed upon it in the north, is only a corruption of that 
 original name. 
 
 The leaves of this tree are very large, often measuring 
 six or seven inches broad ; they are heart-shaped in form, 
 smooth, and pale green on the upper side, slightly downy 
 beneath. The blossoms are extremely beautiful, hanging 
 like those of the Horse-chestnut, in massy clusters beyond 
 the outer surface of the foliage. The colour is a pure and 
 delicate white, and the irmer part of the corolla is delicately 
 sprinkled over with violet, or reddish and yellow spots ; 
 indeed, the individual beauty of the flowers is so great 
 when viewed closely, that one almost regrets that they 
 should be elevated on the branches of a large forest tree. 
 When these fall, they are succeeded by bean-like capsules 
 or seed-vessels, which grow ten or twelve inches long, 
 become brown, and hang pendant upon the branches du- 
 ring the greater part of the winter. 
 
 The Catalpa never, or rarely, takes a symmetrical form 
 when growing up ; but generally forms a wide-spreading 
 head, forty or fifty feet in diameter. Its large and abundant 
 foliage affords a copious shade, and its growth is quite rapid, 
 soon forming a large and bulky tree. In ornamental planta- 
 tions it is much varied on account of its superb and showy 
 flowers, and is therefore deserving a place in every lawn. 
 It is generally seen to best advantage when standing alone, 
 but it may also be mingled with other large round-leaved 
 trees, as the basswood, etc., when it produces a very pleasing 
 effect. The branches are rather brittle, like those of the 
 locust, and are therefore somewhat liable to be broken by 
 the wind. Accustomed to a warmer climate, the leaves 
 
220 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 expand late in the spring, and wither hastily when frost 
 approaches ; but the soft tint of their luxuriant vegetation 
 is very grateful to the eye, and it appears to be uninjured 
 by the hottest rays of summer. North of this place the 
 Catalpa is rather too tender for exposed situations. 
 
 We have seen the Catalpa employed to great advantage in 
 fixing and holding up the loose soil of river banks, where, 
 if planted, it will soon insinuate its strong roots, and retain 
 the soil firmly. In Ohio, experiments have been made with 
 the timber for the posts used in fencing ; and it is stated on 
 good authority that it is but little inferior, when well sea- 
 soned, to that of the locust in durability. 
 
 Michaiix mentions that he has been assured that the 
 honey collected from the flowers is poisonous ; but this we 
 are inclined to doubt ; or at least we have witnessed no ill 
 effects from planting it in abundance in the middle states, 
 in those neighbourhoods where bees are kept in considerable 
 numbers. 
 
 The Catalpa is very easily propagated from seeds sown in 
 any light soil ; and the growth of the young plants is ex- 
 tremely rapid. C. syringafolia is the only species. 
 
 The Persimon Tree. Diospyros. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Ebenaceee. Lin. Syst. Polygaraia, Dioecia. 
 
 The Highlands of the Hudson, and about the same lati- 
 tude on the Connecticut, may be considered the northern 
 limits of this small tree. It generally forms a spreading, 
 loose head, of some twenty or thirty feet high, in good soils in 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 221 
 
 the middle states ; but we have seen a specimen of nearly 
 eighty feet, in the old Bartram Garden at Philadelphia ; and 
 fifty feet is probably the average growth on deep fertile lands 
 in the southern states. 
 
 The Persimon bears a small, round, dull red fruit, about 
 an inch in diameter, containing six or seven stones ; it is 
 insufferably austere and bitter, until the autunmal frosts have 
 mellowed it, and lessened its harshness, when it becomes 
 quite palatable. Considerable quantities of the fruit are an- 
 ually brought into New- York market and its vicinity, from 
 New- Jersey, and sold : the produce is very abundant, a sin- 
 gle tree often yielding several bushels. A strong brandy 
 has been distilled from them ; and in the south, they are said 
 to enter into the composition of the country beer. For the 
 latter purpose they are pounded up with bran, dried, and 
 kept for use till wanted. 
 
 The foliage of the Persimon is handsome ; the leaves be- 
 ing four or five inches long, simple, oblong, dark green, and 
 glossy, like those of the orange. The blossoms are green 
 and inconspicuous. 
 
 The Persimon has no importance as a tree to recommend 
 it ; but it may be admitted in all good collections for its 
 pleasing shining foliage, and the variety which its singular 
 fruit adds to the productions of a complete country residence. 
 The common sort, {D. Virginiana,) grows readily from the 
 seed. 
 
 There is an European species, {Diospyrits Lotus,) with 
 yellow fruit about the size of a cherry, rather less palatable 
 than our native kind. The specimens of this tree, which we 
 have imported, appear too tender to bear our winters unpro- 
 tected, so that it will probably not prove hardy in the north- 
 ern states. 
 
222 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 The Peperidge Tree. Nyssa. 
 Nat. Ord. Santalacese. Lin. Syst. Polygamia, Dicecia. 
 
 The Peperidge, Tupelo, or sour gum tree, as it is called in 
 various parts of the Union, grows to a moderate size, and is 
 generally found in moist situations, though we have seen it 
 in New- York State, thriving very well in dry upland soils. 
 The diameter of the trunk is seldom more than eighteen 
 inches, and the general height is about forty or fifty feet. 
 The flowers are scarcely perceptible, but the fruit borne in 
 pairs, is about the size of a pea, deep blue, and ripens in 
 October. 
 
 The leaves are oval, smooth, and have a beautiful gloss on 
 their upper surface. The branches diverge from the main 
 trunk almost horizontally, and sometimes even bend down- 
 wards like those of some of the Pine family, which gives the 
 tree a very marked and picturesque character. 
 
 The Peperidge when of moderate size, is not difficult to 
 transplant, and we consider it a very fine tree, both on ac- 
 count of its beautiful, dark green, and lustrous foliage in sum- 
 mer, and the brilliant fiery colour which it takes when the 
 frost touches it in autumn. In this respect it is fully equal 
 in point of beauty, to that of the Liquidambar or Sweet gum, 
 and the maples which we have already described ; and so 
 fine a feature do we consider this autumnal beauty of foliage 
 that we would by all means advise the introduction of such 
 trees as the Peperidge, into the landscape for that reason 
 alone, were it not also valuable for its peculiar form and 
 polished leaves in summer. 
 
 Besides the Peperidge, there are three other Nyssas, natives 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 223 
 
 of this continent, viz: the Black gum, (A^. sylvatica,) a tree 
 of greater dimensions, and larger, more elongated leaves, 
 whose northern boundary is the neighbourhood of Philadel- 
 phia ; the Large Tupelo, (A^. grandidentata,) a tree of the 
 largest size, with large, coarsely toothed foliage, and a large 
 blue fruit, three-fourths of an inch long, which is sometimes 
 called the wild olive ; and the sour Tupelo, {N. capitata,) 
 with long, smooth, laurel-like leaves, and a light red, oval 
 fruit, called the Wild Lime, from its abounding in a strong 
 acid, resembling that of the latter fruit. Both the latter trees 
 are natives of the southren states, and are little known north 
 of Philadelphia. 
 
 The wood of all the foregoing trees is remarkable for the 
 peculiar arrangement if its fibres ; which, instead of running 
 directly through the stem in parallel lines, are curiously 
 twisted and interwoven together. Owing to this circum- 
 stance it is extremely difficult to split, and is therefore often 
 used in the manufacture of wooden bowls, trays, etc. That 
 of the Peperidge is also preferred for the same reason, and 
 for its toughness, by the wheelwrights, in the construction 
 of the naves of wheels, and for other similar purposes. 
 
 Michaux remarks that he is unable to give any reason why 
 the names of Sour gum, Black gum, etc., have been bestowed 
 upon these trees, as they spontaneously exude no sap or fluid 
 which could give rise to such an appellation. We suspect 
 that the term has arisen from a comparison of the autumnal 
 tints of these trees belonging to the genus Nyssa, with those 
 of the Sweet gum or Liquidambar, which, at a short distance, 
 they so much resemble in the early autumn. 
 
224 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 The Thorn Tree. Crategus. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Rosacese. Lin. Syst. Icosandria, Di-pentagynia. 
 
 A tree of the smallest size ; but though many of the sorts 
 attain only the stature of ordinary shrubs, yet some of our 
 native species, as well as the English Hawthorn, [C. oxy- 
 cantha^) when standing alone, will form neat, spreading- 
 topped trees, of twenty or thirty feet in height. 
 
 Although the thorn is not generally viewed among us as a 
 plant at all conducive to the beauty of scenery, yet we are in- 
 duced to mention it here, and to enforce its claims in that 
 point of view, as they appear to us highly entitled to consid- 
 eration. First, the foliage — deep green, shining, and often 
 beautifully cut and diversified in form — is prettily tufted and 
 arranged upon the branches ; secondly, the snowy blossoms — 
 often produced in such quantities as to completely whiten 
 the whole head of the tree, and which in many sorts have a 
 delightful perfume — present a charming appearance in the 
 early part of the season ; and thirdly, the ruddy crimson or 
 purple haws or fruit, which give the whole plant a rich and 
 glowing appearance in and among our fine forests, open 
 glades, or wild thickets, in autumn. 
 
 The most ornamental, and the strongest growing in- 
 digenous kinds are the Scarlet Thorn tree (C coccinea,) and 
 its varieties, the Washington Thorn, (C. populifoliayand the 
 Cockspur Thorn, (C. crus-galli) ; all of which in good soil, 
 will grow to the height of twenty or thirty feet, and can 
 readily be transplanted from their native sites. 
 
 The English Hawthorn is not only a beautiful small tree, 
 but it is connected in our minds, with all the elegant, poetic, 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 225 
 
 and legendary associations which belong to it in England ; 
 for scarcely any tree is richer in such than this. With the 
 floral games of May, this plant, from its blooming at that 
 period, and being the favourite of the season, has become so 
 identified, that the blossoms are known in many parts of 
 Britain chiefly by that name. Among the ancient Greeks 
 and Romans, they were dedicated to Flora, whose festival 
 began on the first of that month ; and in the olden times of 
 merry England, the May-pole, its top decked with the gayest 
 garlands of these blossoms, was raised amid the shouts of 
 the young and old assembled to celebrate this happy rustic 
 festival. Chaucer alludes to the custom, and describes the 
 hawthorn thus : 
 
 Marke the faire blooming of the Hawthorne tree, 
 Which finely cloathed in a robe of wliite, 
 Fills ftill the wanton eye with May's delight. 
 
 Court of Love. 
 
 And Her rick has left us the following lines to " Corrina 
 going a Maying ;" 
 
 " Come, my Corrina, come ; and coming, marke 
 How eche field turns a street, eclie street a park 
 Made green, and trimmed with trees ; see how 
 Devotion gives eche house a bough 
 Or branch ; eche porch, eche doore ere this. 
 An arke, a tabernacle is. 
 Made up of Hawthorne, neatly interwove. 
 As if here were those cooler shades of love." 
 
 The following lines descriptive of the English species, we 
 extract from the " Romance of Nature ;" 
 
 " Come let us rest this hawthorn tree beneath. 
 And breathe its luscious fragrance as it flies, 
 
 29 
 
226 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 And watch the tiny petals as they fall, 
 Circling and winnowing down our sylvan hall." 
 
 The berries or haws, as they are called, have a very rich 
 and coral-hke look when the tree, standing alone, is com- 
 pletely covered with them in October. There are some ele- 
 gant varieties of this species, which highly deserve cultiva- 
 tion for the beauty of their flowers and foliage. Among them 
 we may particularly notice the Double White, with beau- 
 tiful blossoms like small white roses; the Pink and the 
 Scarlet flowering, both single and double, and the Variegated- 
 leaved hawthorn, all elegant trees ; as well as the Weeping 
 hawthorn, a rarer variety, with pendulous branches. 
 
 The Hawthorn is most agreeable to the eye in composition 
 when it forms the undergrowth or thicket, peeping out in 
 all its green freshness, gay blossoms, or bright fruit from be- 
 neath and between the groups and masses of trees ; where, 
 mingled with the hazel, etc., it gives a pleasing intricacy to 
 the whole mass of foliage. But the difierent species display 
 themselves to most advantage, and grow also to a finer size, 
 when planted singly, or two or three together, along the 
 walks leading through the diflerent parts of the pleasure- 
 gromid or shrubbery. 
 
 The Magnolia Tree. Magnolia. 
 
 Nat. Ord. MagnoliacesB. Lin. Syst. Polyandria, Polygynia. 
 
 The North American trees composing the genus Magnolia 
 are certainly among the most splendid productions of the for- 
 ests in any temperate climate ; and when we consider the 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREEs/ 227 
 
 size, and fragrance of their blossoms, or the beauty of their 
 large and noble foliage, we may be allowed to doubt whether 
 there is a more magnificent and showy genus of deciduous 
 trees in the world. With the exception of a few shrubs or 
 smaller trees, natives of China, and the mountains of Cen- 
 tral Asia, it belongs exclusively to this continent, as no in- 
 dividuals of this order are indigenous to Europe or Africa. 
 The American species attracted the attention of the first 
 botanists who came over to examine the riches of our native 
 flora, and were transplanted to the gardens of England and 
 France, more than a hundred years ago, where they are 
 still valued as the finest hardy trees of that hemisphere. 
 
 The Large Evergreen Magnolia, {M. grmidiflora,) or 
 Big Laurel, as it is sometimes called, is peculiarly indige- 
 nous to that portion of our country south of North Carolina, 
 where its stately trunk, often seventy feet in height, and 
 superb pyramid of deep green foliage, render it one of the 
 loveliest and most majestic of trees. The leaves, which are 
 evergreen, and somewhat resemble those of the laurel in 
 form, are generally six or eight inches in length, thick in 
 texture, and brilliantly polished on the upper surface. The 
 highly fragrant flowers are composed of about six petals, 
 opening in a wide cup-like form, of the most snowy white- 
 ness of colour. Scattered among the rich foliage, their 
 effect is exquisitely beautiful. The seeds are borne in an 
 oval, cone-like carpel or seed-vessel, composed of a number 
 of cells which split longitudinally, when the stony seed, 
 covered with a bright red pulp, drops out. There are seve- 
 ral varieties, which have been raised from the seed of this 
 species abroad ; the most beautiful is the Exmouth Magno- 
 lia, with fine foliage, rusty beneath ; it produces its flowers 
 much earlier and more abundantly than the original sort. 
 
228 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 We regret that this tree is too tender to bear the open air 
 north of Philadelphia, as it is one of the choicest evergreens. 
 At the nurseries of the Messrs. Landreth, and at the Bartram 
 Botanic Garden of Col. Carr, near that city, some good 
 specimens of this Magnolia and its varieties are growing 
 thriftily ; but in the State of New- York, and at the east, it 
 can only be considered a green-house plant. 
 
 The Cucumber Magnolia, (C. accuTninata,) (so called 
 from the appearance of the young fruit, which is not unlike 
 a green cucumber,) takes the same place in the north, in 
 point of majesty and elevation, that the Big Laurel occupies 
 in the south. Its northern limit is Lake Erie ; and it 
 abounds along the whole range of the Alleghanies to the 
 southward, in rich mountain acclivities, and moist sheltered 
 valleys. There it often measures three or four feet in 
 diameter, and eighty in height. The leaves, which are 
 deciduous, like those of all the Magnolias except the M. 
 grandijlora, are also about six inches long, and four 
 broad, accuminate at the point, of a bluish green on the 
 upper surface. The flowers are six inches in diameter, of a 
 pale yellow, much like those of the Tulip tree, and slightly 
 fragrant. The fruit is about three inches long, and cylin- 
 drical in shape. Most of the inhabitants of the country 
 bordering on the Alleghanies, says Michaux, gather these 
 cones about midsummer, when they are half ripe, and steep 
 them in whiskey ; the liquor produced, they take as an 
 antidote against the fevers prevalent in those districts. 
 
 The Umbrella Magnolia, {M. tripetala,) though found 
 sometimes in the northwest of New- York, is rare there, and 
 abounds most in the south and west. It is a smaller tree 
 than the preceding kinds, rarely growing more than thirty 
 feet high. The leaves on the terminal shoots, are disposed 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTxVL TREES. 229 
 
 three or four in a tuft, which has given rise to the name of 
 Umbrella tree. They are of fine size, eighteen inches or two 
 feet long, and seven or eight broad, oval, and pointed at both 
 ends ; the flowers are also large, white, and numerous ; and 
 the conical fruit-vessel containing the seeds, assumes a 
 beautiful rose-colour in autumn. From its fine tufted 
 foliage, and rapid growth, this is one of the most desirable 
 species for our pleasure-grounds. 
 
 The Large-leaved Magnolia, {M. macrophylla,) is the 
 rarest of the genus in our forests, being only found as yet, 
 in North Carolina. The leaves grow to an enormous size, 
 when the tree is young, often measuring three feet long, 
 and nine or ten inches broad. They are oblong, oval, and 
 heart-shaped at the base. The flowers are also immense, 
 opening of the size of a hat-crown, and diflusing a most 
 agreeable odour. The tree attains only a secondary size, 
 and is distinguished in winter by the whiteness of its bark, 
 compared with the others. It is rather tender north of New- 
 York. 
 
 The Heart-leaved Magnolia, {M. cordata,) is a beautiful 
 southern species, distinguished by its nearly round, heart- 
 shaped foliage, and its yellow flowers about four inches in 
 diameter. It blooms in the gardens very young, and very 
 abundantly, often producing two crops in a season. 
 
 Magnolia auriculata, grows about forty feet high, and is 
 also found near the southern Alleghany range of mountains. 
 The leaves are light green, eight or nine inches long, widest 
 at the top, and narrower towards the base, where they are 
 rounded into lobes. The flowers are not so fine as those of 
 the preceding kinds, but still are handsome, pale greenish 
 white, and about four inches in diameter. 
 
 Besides these, there is a smaller American Magnolia, 
 
230 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 which is the only sort that in the middle or eastern sections 
 of the Union, grows within 150 miles of the sea-shore. This 
 is the Magnolia of the swamps of New- Jersey, and the south, 
 {M. glauca,) of which so many fragrant and beautiful bou- 
 quets are gathered in the season of its inflorescence, brought 
 to New- York and Philadelphia, and exposed for sale in the 
 markets. It is rather a large bush, than a tree ; with shi- 
 ning, green, laurel-like leaves, four or five inches long, some- 
 what mealy or glaucous beneath. The blossoms, about 
 three inches broad, are snowy white, and so fragrant that 
 where they abound in the swamps, their perfume is often 
 perceptible for the distance of a quarter of a mile. 
 
 The foreign sorts introduced into our gardens from China, 
 are the Chinese purple, {M. jtuiyurea^) which produces an 
 abundance of large delicate purple blossoms, early in the 
 season ; the Yulan or Chinese White Magnolia, {M. con- 
 spicua,) a most abundant bloomer, bearing beautiful white, 
 fragrant flowers in April, before the leaves appear ; and 
 Soulange's Magnolia, {M. Soulangiana,) a hybrid between 
 the two foregoing, with large flowers delicately tinted with 
 white and purple. These succeed well in sheltered situa- 
 tions, in our pleasure-grounds, and add greatly to their 
 beauty early in the season. Grafted on the cucumber tree, 
 they form large and vigorous trees of great beauty. 
 
 The Magnolia, in order to thrive well, requires a deep 
 rich soil ; which in nearly all cases, to secure their luxuri- 
 ance, should be improved by adding thereto some leaf mould 
 or decayed vegetable matter from the woods. Wlien trans- 
 planted from the nursery, they should be preferred of small 
 or only moderate size, as their succulent roots are easily in- 
 jured, and they recover slowly when large. Most of them 
 may be propagated from seed ; but they flower sooner, grow 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 231 
 
 more vigorously, and are much hardier when grafted upon 
 young stocks of the Cucumber Magnolia. This we have 
 found to be particularly the case with the Chinese species 
 and varieties. 
 
 All these trees are such superb objects upon a lawn, in 
 their rich summer garniture of luxuriant foliage, and large 
 odoriferous flowers, that they need no further recommenda- 
 tion from us to insure their regard and admiration from all 
 persons who have room for their culture. If possible, situa- 
 tions somewhat sheltered either by buildings, or other trees, 
 should be chosen for all the species, except the Cucumber 
 Magnolia, which thrives well in almost any aspect not 
 directly open to violent gales of wind. 
 
 The White-wood, or Tulip Tree. Liriodendron. 
 Nat. Ord. Magnoliaceee. Lin. Syst. Polyandria, Polygynia. 
 
 The Tulip tree belongs to the same natural order as the 
 Magnolias, and is not inferior to most of the latter in all that 
 entitles them to rank among our very finest forest trees. 
 
 The taller Magnolias, as we have already remarked, do 
 not grow naturally within 100 or 150 miles of the sea-coast ; 
 and the Tulip tree may be considered as in some measure, 
 supplying their place in the middle Atlantic states. West of 
 the Connecticut river, and south of the sources of the Hudson, 
 this fine tree may be often seen reaching in warm and deep 
 alluvial soils, 80 or 90 feet in height. But in the western 
 
232 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 States, where indeed the growth of forest trees is astonish- 
 ingly vigorous, this tree far exceeds that ahitude. The elder 
 Michaux mentions several which he saw in Kentucky, that 
 were fifteen and sixteen feet in girth ; and his son confirms 
 the measurement of one, three miles and a half from Louis- 
 ville, which at five feet from the ground, was found to be 
 twenty-two feet and six inches in circumference, with a cor- 
 responding elevation of 130 feet. 
 
 The foliage Is rich and glossy, and has a very peculiar 
 form ; being cut ofi", as it were, at the extremity, and slightly 
 notched and divided, into two sided lobes. The breadth 
 of the leaves is six or eight inches. The flowers, which are 
 shaped like a large tulip, are composed of six thick yellow 
 petals, mottled on the inner surface with red and green. 
 They are borne singly on the terminal shoots, have a plea- 
 sant, slight perfume, and are very showy. The seed-vessel, 
 which ripens in October, is formed of a number of scales 
 surrounding the central axis in the form of a cone. It is 
 remarkable that young trees under 30 or 35 feet high, 
 seldom or never perfect their seeds. 
 
 Whoever has once seen the Tulip tree in a situation where 
 the soil was favourable to its free growth, can never forget 
 it. With a clean trunk, straight as a column, for 40 or 50 
 feet, surmounted by a fine, ample summit of rich green foliage, 
 it is, in our estimation, decidedly the most stately tree in 
 North America. When standing alone, and encouraged in 
 its lateral growth, it will indeed often produce a lower head, 
 but its tendency is to rise, and it only exhibits itself in all 
 its stateliness and majesty when, supported on such a noble 
 columnar trunk, it towers far above the heads of its neigh- 
 bours of the park or forest. Even when at its loftiest eleva- 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 833 
 
 tion, its large specious blossoms, which, from their form, one 
 of our poets has likened to the chalice ; 
 
 Through the verdant maze 
 
 The Tulip tree, 
 Its golden chalice oft triumphantly displays. 
 
 Pickering. 
 
 jut out from amid the tufted canopy in the month of June, 
 and glow in richness and beauty. While the tree is less than 
 a foot in diameter, the stem is extremely smooth, and it has, 
 almost always, a refined and finished appearance. For the 
 lawn or park, we conceive the Tulip tree eminently adapted : 
 its tall upright stem, and handsome summit, contrasting 
 nobly with the spreading forms of most deciduous trees. It 
 should generally stand alone, or near the border of a mass 
 of trees, where it may fully display itself to the eye, and 
 exhibit all its charms from the root to the very summit ; for 
 no tree of the same grandeur and magnitude is so truly 
 beautiful and graceful in every portion of its trunk and 
 branches. Where there is a taste for avenues, the Tulip 
 tree ought by all means to be employed, as it makes a most 
 magnificent overarching canopy of verdure, supported on 
 trmiks almost architectural in their symmetry. The leaves 
 also, from their bitterness, are but little liable to the attacks 
 of any insect. 
 
 This tree was introduced into England about 1668 ; and 
 is now to be found in almost every gentleman's park on 
 the Continent of Europe, so highly is it esteemed as an 
 ornamental tree of the first class. We hope that the 
 fine native specimens yet standing, here and there, in farm 
 lands along our river banks, may be sacredly preserved from 
 the barbarous infliction of the axe, which formerly despoiled 
 
 30 
 
234 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 without mercy, so many of the majestic denizens of our 
 native forests. 
 
 In the western states, where this tree abounds, it is much 
 used in building and carpentry. The timber is hght and 
 yellow, and the tree is commonly called the Yellow Poplar, 
 in those districts, from some fancied resemblance in the 
 wood, though it is much heavier and more durable than 
 that of the poplar. 
 
 When exposed to the weather, the wood is liable to warp, 
 but as it is fine grained, light, and easily worked, it is ex- 
 tensively employed for the pannels of coaches, doors, cabinet- 
 work, and wainscoats. The Indians who once inhabited 
 these regions, hollowed out the trunks, and made their 
 canoes of them. There are two sorts of timber known; 
 viz : the Yellow and the White Poplar, or Tulip tree. These, 
 however, it is well known are the same species, {L. tulipi- 
 fera,} but the variation is brought about by the soil, which 
 if dry, gravelly, and elevated, produces the white, and if 
 rich, deep, and rather moist, the yellow timber. 
 
 It is rather difficult to transplant the Tulip tree when it 
 has attained much size, unless the roots have undergone 
 preparation, as will hereafter be mentioned ; but it is easily 
 propagated from seed, or obtained from the nurseries, and 
 the growth is then strong and rapid. 
 
 The Dogwood Tree. Cornus. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Cornacece. Lin. Syst. Tetrandria, Monogynia. 
 There are a number of small shrubs that belong to this 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 235 
 
 genus, but the common Dogwood, {Cornus fiorida,) is the 
 only species which has any claims to rank as a tree. In the 
 middle states, where it abounds, as well as in most other 
 parts of the Union, the maximum height is thirty-five feet, 
 while its ordinary elevation is about twenty feet. 
 
 The Dogwood is quite an ornamental small tree, and owes 
 its interest chiefly to the beauty of its numerous blossoms 
 and fruit. The leaves are oval, about three inchgs long, 
 dark green above, and paler below. In the beginning of 
 May, while the foliage is beginning to expand rapidly, and 
 before the tree is in full leaf, the flowers unfold, and present 
 a beautiful spectacle, often covering the whole tree with their 
 snowy garniture. The principal beauty of these, consists in 
 the involucrum or calyx, which, instead of being green, as 
 is commonly the case, in the Dogwood takes a white or pale 
 blue tint. The true flowers may be seen collected in little 
 clusters, and are, individually, quite small, though sur- 
 rounded by the involucrum, which produces all the effect of 
 a fine white blossom. 
 
 In the early part of the season, the Dogwood is one of 
 the gayest ornaments of our native woods. It is seen at 
 that time to great advantage in sailing up the Hudson river. 
 There, in the abrupt Highlands, which rise boldly many 
 hundred feet above the level of the river, patches of the 
 Dogwood in full bloom, gleam forth in snowy whiteness 
 from among the tender green of the surrounding young 
 foliage, and the gloomier shades of the dark evergreens, 
 which clothe with a rich verdure the rocks and precipices 
 that overhang the moving flood below. 
 
 The berries which succeed these blossoms, become quite 
 red and brilliant, in autumn ; and, as they are plentifully 
 borne in little clusters, they make quite a display. When 
 
236 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 the sharp frosts have lessened their bitterness, they are 
 the food of the robin, which, at that late season, eats them 
 greedily. 
 
 The foliage in autumn is also highly beautiful, and must 
 be considered as contributing to the charms of this tree. 
 The colour it assumes is a deep lake-red ; and it is at that 
 season as easily known at a distance by its fine colouring, 
 as the Maple, the Liquidambar, and the Nyssa, of which we 
 have already spoken. Taking into consideration all these 
 ornamental qualities, and also the fact that it is every day 
 becoming scarcer in our native wilds, we think the Dog- 
 wood tree should fairly come under the protection of the 
 picturesque planter, and well deserves a place in the plea- 
 sure-ground and shrubbery. 
 
 The wood is close-grained, hard, and heavy, and takes a 
 good polish. It is too small to enter into general use, but is 
 often employed for the lesser utensils of the farm. The bark 
 has been very successfully employed by physicians in Phila- 
 delphia, and elsewhere, and is found to possess nearly the 
 same properties as the Peruvian bark. Bigelow states in his 
 American Botany, that its use in fevers has been known 
 and practised in many sections of the Union by the comitry 
 people, for more than fifty years. 
 
 Besides this native species there is an European dogwood, 
 {Cornus mascula,) commonly called the Cornelian cherry, 
 which is now planted in many of our gardens, and grows 
 to the height of twenty or thirty feet. The small yellow 
 flowers come out close to the branches in March or April, 
 and the whole tree is quite handsome in autumn, from the 
 size and colour of its fine oval scarlet berries. These are as 
 large as a small cherry, transparent, and hang for a long 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 237 
 
 time upon the tree. The leaves axe much like those of the 
 common Dogwood. Although the blossoms are produced 
 when the plant is quite a bush, yet it must attain some age 
 before the fruit sets. Altogether, the Cornelian cherry is 
 one of the most desirable of small trees. 
 
 The Salisburia, or Ginko Tree. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Taxaceae. Lin. Syst. Moncecia, Polyandria. 
 
 This fine exotic tree, which appears to be perfectly hardy 
 in this climate, is one of the most singular in its foliage that 
 has ever come under our observation. The leaves are 
 wedge-shaped, or somewhat triangular, attached to the 
 petioles at one of the angles, and pale yellowish green in 
 colour ; the ribs or veins, instead of diverging from the 
 central mid-rib of the leaf, as is commonly the case in 
 dicotyledonous plants, are all parallel ; in short, they almost 
 exactly resemble, (except in being three or four times as 
 large,) those of the beautiful Maiden hair fern, {Adiantum,) 
 common in our woods : being thickened at the edges, and 
 notched on the margin in a similar manner. The male 
 flowers are yellow, sessile catkins ; the female is seated in a 
 curious kind of cup, formed by the enlargement of the sum- 
 mit of the peduncle. The fruit is a drupe, about an inch in 
 length, containing a nut, which, according to Dr. Abel, is 
 almost always to be seen for sale in the markets of China 
 and Japan, the native country of this tree. They are eaten, 
 after having been roasted or boiled, and are considered 
 excellent. 
 
238 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 The Salisburia was introduced into this country by that 
 zealous amateur of horticulture and botany, the late Mr. 
 Hamilton, of Woodlands, near Philadelphia, who brought it 
 from England in 1784, where it had been received from 
 Japan about thirty years previous. There are several of 
 these now growing at Woodlands ; and the largest measures 
 sixty feet in height, and three feet four inches in circum- 
 ference. The next largest specimen which we have seen, 
 is now standing on the north side of that fine public square, 
 the Boston Common. It originally grew in the grounds of 
 Gardiner Green, Esq., of Boston ; but though of fine size, it 
 was, about three years since, carefully removed to its present 
 site, which proves its capability for bearing transplanting. 
 Its measurement is forty feet in elevation, and three in cir- 
 cumference. There is also a very handsome tree in the 
 grounds of Messrs. Landreth, Philadelphia, about thirty-five 
 feet high, and very thrifty. 
 
 We have not learned that any of these trees have yet 
 borne their blossoms ; 'at any rate, none but male blossoms 
 have yet been produced. Abroad, the Salisburia has fruited 
 in the South of France, and young trees have been reared 
 from the nuts. 
 
 The bark is somewhat soft and leathery, and, on the 
 trunk and branches, assumes a singular tawny yellow, or 
 grayish colour. The tree grows pretty rapidly, and forms 
 an exceedingly neat, loose, conical, or tapering head. The 
 timber is very solid and heavy ; and the tree is said to grow 
 to enormous size in its native country ; Bunge, who accom- 
 panied the mission from Russia to Pekin, states that he saw 
 near a Pagoda, an immense Ginko tree, with a trmik 
 nearly forty feet in circumference, and still in full vigour of 
 vegetation.* 
 
 ♦ Bull, de la Soc. d'Agir. du depart, de I'Herault. Arb. Brit. 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 239 
 
 Although nearly related to the Pine tribe, and forming, 
 apparently, the connecting link between the coniferm and 
 exogenous trees, yet unlike the former tribe, the wood of 
 the tree is perfectly free from resin. 
 
 The Ginko tree is so great a botanical curiosity, and is so 
 singularly beautiful when clad with its fern-like foliage, that 
 it is strikingly adapted to add ornament and interest to the 
 pleasure-ground. As the foliage is of that kind which must 
 be viewed near by to understand its peculiarity, and as the 
 form and outline of the tree are pleasing, and harmonize 
 well with buildings, we would recommend that it be plant- 
 ed near the house, where its unique character can be readily 
 seen and appreciated. 
 
 Salisburia adiantifolia is the only species. In the 
 United States it appears to flourish best in a rich fertile soil, 
 rather dry than otherwise. South of Albany it is perfectly 
 hardy, and may therefore be considered a most valuable ac- 
 quisition to our catalogue of trees of the first class. It has 
 hitherto been propagated chiefly from layers ; but cuttings 
 of the preceding year's growth, planted early in the spring, 
 in a fine sandy loam, and kept shaded and watered, will 
 also root without much difficulty. When the old trees al- 
 ready mentioned, (which have doubtless been raised from 
 seed,) begin to blossom, plants reared from them by cuttings 
 or grafts, will, of course, produce blossoms and fruit much 
 more speedily than when reared from the nut. 
 
 The American Cypress Tree. Taxodium. 
 Nat. Ord. ConifersB. Lin. Syst. Moncecia, Monadelphia. 
 
 The Southern or Deciduous cypress, ( Taxodium disti- 
 
240 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 chum*) is one of the most majestic, useful, and beautiful trees 
 of the southern part of North America. Naturally, it is 
 not found growing north of Maryland, or the south part 
 of Delaware, but below that boundary it becomes extremely 
 multiplied. The low grounds and alluvial soils subject to 
 inundations, are constantly covered with this tree ; and on 
 the banks of the Mississippi, and other great western rivers, 
 for more than 600 miles from its mouth, those vast marshes, 
 caused by the periodical bursting and overflowing of their 
 banks, are filled with huge and almost endless growths of 
 this tree, called Cypress swamps. Beyond the boundaries 
 of the United States, its geographical range extends to 
 Mexico ; and Michaux estimates that it is found more or 
 less abmidantly, over a range of country more than 3000 
 miles in extent. 
 
 " In the swamps of the southern states and the Floridas, 
 on whose deep miry soil a new layer of vegetable mould is 
 deposited every year by the floods, the Cypress attains its 
 utmost development. The largest stocks are 120 feet in 
 height, and from 25 to 40 feet in circumference, above the 
 conical base, which at the surface of the earth is always 
 three or four times as large as the continued diameter of the 
 trunk; in felling them, the negroes are obliged to raise 
 themselves upon scaflblds five or six feet from the ground. 
 The roots of the largest stocks, particularly of such as are 
 most exposed to inundation, are charged with conical pro- 
 tuberances, commonly from eighteen to twenty-four inches, 
 and sometimes four or five feet in thickness; these are 
 always hollow, smooth on the surface, and covered with a 
 reddish bark, like the roots which they resemble also in the 
 softness of their wood ; they exhibit no sign of vegetation, 
 
 * Cupressus disticha. 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 241 
 
 and I have never succeeded in obtaining shoots by wound- 
 ing their surface, and covering them with earth. No cause 
 can be assigned for their existence : they are peculiar to the 
 Cypress, and begin to appear when it is twenty or twenty- 
 five feet in height ; they are not made use of, except by 
 the negroes for bee-hives." 
 
 " The foUage is open, light, and of a fresh, agreeable tint ; 
 each leaf is four or five inches long, and consists of two 
 parallel rows of leaflets, upon a common stem. The leaflets 
 are small, fine, and somewhat arching, with the convex side 
 outwards. In the autumn, they change from a light green 
 to a dull red, and are shed soon after." 
 
 " The Cypress blooms in Carolina, about the first of 
 February. The male and female flowers are borne separate- 
 ly, by the same tree ; the first in flexible pendulous aments, 
 and the second in bunches, scarcely apparent. The cones 
 are about as large as the thumb, hard, round, of an mieven 
 surface, and stored with small irregular ligneous seeds, 
 containing a cylindrical kernel ; they are ripe in October, 
 and retain their productive virtue for two years."* 
 
 Such is the account given of the Cypress in its native soils. 
 In the middle states it is planted only as an ornamental tree ; 
 and while in the south, its great abundance causes it to be 
 neglected or disregarded as such, its rarity here allows us 
 fully to appreciate its beauty. North of the 43^ of latitude 
 it will not probably stand the winter without protection ; but 
 south of that, it will attain a good size. The finest planted 
 specimen which we have seen, and one which is probably 
 equal in grandeur to almost any in their native swamps, is 
 growing in the Bartram Botanic Garden, near Philadelphia. 
 
 * N. A. Sylva, II. 332. 
 
 31 
 
242 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 That garden was formed by the father of American botanists, 
 John Bartram, who explored the southern and western terri- 
 tories, then vast wilds, at the peril of his life, to furnish the 
 savans and gardens of Europe, with the productions of the 
 new world, and who commenced the living collection, 
 now unequalled, of American trees, in his own garden. In 
 the lower part of it stands the great Cyjjress, a tree of noble 
 dimensions, measuring at this time 130 feet in height, and 
 25 in circumference. The tree was held by Bartram's son, 
 William, while his father assisted in planting it, ninety-nine 
 years since. The elder Bartram at the time expressed to 
 his son, the hope that the latter might live to see it a large 
 tree. Long before he died (not many years since,) it had 
 become the prodigy of the garden, and great numbers from 
 the neighbouring city annually visit it, to admire its vast 
 size, and recline beneath its ample shade. 
 
 The foliage of the Cypress is peculiar ; for while it has a 
 resemblance to the Hemlock, Yew, and other evergreen trees, 
 its cheerful bright green tint, and loose airy tufts of foliage, 
 give it a character of great lightness and elegance. In young 
 trees, the form of the head is pyramidal or pointed ; but 
 when they become old, Michaux remarks, the head becomes 
 widely spread, and even depressed, thus assuming a re- 
 markably picturesque aspect. This is also heightened by 
 the deep furrows or channels in the trunk, and the singular 
 excrescences or knobs already described, which, jutting above 
 the surface of the ground, give a strange ruggedness to the 
 surface beneath the shadow of its branches. A single 
 Cypress standing alone, like that in the Bartram Garden, is 
 a grand object, uniting with the expression of great elegance 
 and lightness in its foliage, that of magnificence, when we 
 perceive its extraordinary height, and huge stem and branches. 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 243 
 
 In composition, the Cypress produces the happiest effect, 
 when it is planted with the hemlock and firs, which it har- 
 monizes well with in the form of its foliage, while its soft 
 light green hue is beautifully opposed to the richer and 
 darker tints of those thickly-clad evergreens. Wherever 
 there is a moist and rather rich soil, the Cypress may be 
 advantageously planted ; for although we have seen it thrive 
 well on a fertile dry loam, yet to attain all its lofty propor- 
 tions, it requires a soil where its thirsty roots can drink in a 
 sufficient supply of moisture. There its grov/th is quite 
 rapid ; and although it may, at first, suffer a little from the 
 cold at the north, in severe winters, yet it continues its 
 progress, and ultimately becomes a stately tree. 
 
 In many parts of the southern states, the timber of this 
 tree, which is of excellent quality, is extensively used in the 
 construction of the frame work and outer covering of houses. 
 It is also esteemed for shingles ; and a large trade has long 
 been carried on from the south in Cypress shingles. Posts 
 made of this tree are found to be very lasting ; and it is also 
 employed for water pipes, masts of vessels, etc. In the 
 north, its place is supplied by the Pine timber ; but in many 
 southern cities, particularly New-Orleans, it will be found to 
 enter into the composition of almost every building. 
 
 In the nurseries, the Cypress is usually propagated from 
 the seed ; and as it sends down strong roots, it should be 
 transplanted where it is finally to grow, before it attains too 
 great a development. 
 
 The European Cypress, {Cupressus sempervirens,) a 
 beautiful evergreen tree, shaped like a small Lombardy 
 poplar, which is the principal ornament of the churchyards 
 and cemeteries abroad, is unfortunately too tender to endure 
 
244, LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 the winter in any of the states north of Virginia. South of 
 that state, it may probably become naturalized, and serve to 
 add to the catalogue of beautiful indigenous evergreen trees. 
 From its dark and sombre tint, and perpetual verdure, it 
 is peculiarly the emblem of grief: 
 
 " Binde you my brows with mourning Cyparesse, 
 And palish twigs of deadlier poplar tree, 
 Or if some sadder shades ye can devise, 
 Those sadder shades vaile my light-loathing eyes." 
 
 Bp. Hall. 
 
 The Larch Tree. Larix. 
 
 ^at. Ord. Coniferse. Lin. Sysi. Monoecia, Monadelphia. 
 
 The Larch is a resinous cone-bearing tree, belonging to 
 the Pine family, but differing from that genus in the annual 
 shedding of its leaves like other deciduous trees. In 
 Europe, it is a native of the coldest parts of the Alps and 
 Appenines ; and in America, is indigenous to the most 
 northern parts of the Union, and the Canadas. The leaves 
 are collected in little bunches, and the branches shoot out 
 from the main stem in a horizontal, or, more generally, in a 
 declining position. 
 
 For picturesque beauty, the Larch is almost unrivalled. 
 Unlike most other trees which must grow old, uncouth, and 
 misshapen, before they can attain that expression, this is 
 singularly so, as soon almost as it begins to assume the 
 stature of a tree. In can never be called a beautiful tree, so 
 far as beauty consists in smooth outlines, a finely rounded 
 head, or gracefully drooping branches. But it has what is 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 
 
 245 
 
 perhaps more valuable, as being more rare, — the expression 
 of boldness, and picturesqueness, peculiar to itself, and 
 which it seems to have caught from the wild and rugged 
 chasms, rocks, and precipices of its native mountains- 
 There its irregular and spiry top, and branches, harmonize 
 admirably with the abrupt variation of the surrounding 
 hills, and suit well the gloomy grandeur of those frowning 
 heights. 
 
 [Fig. 36. The European Larch.] 
 
 Like all highly expressive and characteristic trees, much 
 more care is necessary in introducing the Larch into artifi- 
 ciaFscenery judiciously, than round-headed trees. If planted 
 in abundance, it becomes monotonous, from the similitude of 
 
246 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 its form in different specimens ; it should therefore be intro- 
 duced sparingly, and always for some special purpose. 
 This purpose may be, either to give spirit to a group of 
 other trees, to strengthen the already picturesque character 
 of a scene, or to give life and variety to one naturally tame 
 and uninteresting. All these objects can be fully effected 
 by the Larch ; and although it is by far the most suited to 
 harmonize with, and strengthen the expression of scener y 
 naturally grand, or picturesque, with which it most readily 
 enters into combination, yet, in the hands of taste, there can 
 be no reason why so marked a tree should not be employed 
 in giving additional expression to scenery of a tamer 
 character. 
 
 The extremely rapid growth of this tree when planted 
 upon thin, barren, and dry soils, is another great merit which 
 it possesses as an ornamental tree ; and it is also a neces- 
 sary one to enable it to thrive well on those very rocky and 
 barren soils, where it is most in character with the surround- 
 ing objects. It is highly valuable to produce effect or shel- 
 ter suddenly, on portions of an estate, too thin or meagre in 
 their soil, to afford the sustenance necessary to the growth 
 of many other deciduous trees. 
 
 The Larch is the great timber tree of Europe. Its wood 
 is remarkably heavy, strong, and durable, exceeding in all 
 those qualities the best English oak. To these, it is said to 
 add the peculiarity of being almost uninflammable, and 
 resisting the influence of heat for a long time. Vitruvius 
 relates that when Caesar attacked the castle of Larignum, 
 near the Alps, whose gate was commanded by a tower built 
 of this wood, from the top of which the besieged annoyed 
 him with their stones and darts, he commanded his army to 
 surround it with faggots, and set fire to the whole. When 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 247 
 
 however all the former was consumed, he was astonished to 
 find the Larch tower miinjured.* The wood is also recom- 
 mended for the decks of vessels, and the masts of ships, as 
 it is little liable either to fly in splinters in an engagement, 
 or to catch fire readily. 
 
 In Great Britain, immense plantations of this tree are 
 made with a view to profit ; and although as yet nothing 
 like rearing trees for timber has been attempted here, never- 
 theless the time must come when our attention will neces- 
 sarily be turned in this direction. When such is the case, 
 it is probable that the Larch will be found to be as much 
 an object of profit, on this side of the Atlantic, as on the 
 other. Indeed, we are much inclined to believe, that thou- 
 sands of acres of our sterile soils in some districts, might 
 now be profitably planted with this tree. 
 
 In Scotland, the Larch was first introduced in the year 
 1738, when eleven plants were given to the Duke of Athol, 
 who afterwards struck by the rapidity of their growth, and 
 the excellency of their timber, planted thousands of acres 
 with them. As a specimen of what is done in timber 
 growing abroad, and the peculiar capacity of the Larch for 
 thriving on poor soils, we shall make some extracts from 
 the account given of its growth in Scotland, by Sir T. D. 
 Lauder. 
 
 " The late Duke of Athol planted large districts with this 
 tree, and thereby converted the heathy wastes into valuable 
 forests ; but this was not the whole of the improvement he 
 thus created. The Larch being a deciduous tree, sheds upon 
 the earth so great a shower of decayed spines every succeed- 
 
 * Newton's Vitruvius, p. 40. 
 
248 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 ing autumn, that the annual addition which is made to the 
 soil, cannot be less, than from a third of an inch to half an 
 inch, according to the magnitude of the trees. This we 
 have often had opportunities of proving, by our remarks 
 made on the surfaces of newly cleaned pleasure walks. 
 The result of planting a moor with Larches then, is, that 
 when the trees have grown so much as to exclude the air 
 and moisture on the surface, the heath is soon exterminated ; 
 and the soil gradually increasing by the decomposition of 
 the leaflets annually thrown down by the Larches, grass 
 begins to grow as the trees rise in elevation, so as to allow 
 greater freedom for the circulation of the air below, — and 
 thus, land which was not worth one shilling an acre, be- 
 comes most valuable pasture ; and we can say that our own 
 experience amply bears out the fact. The Duke of Athol 
 found that the value of the pasture in oak copses, was worth 
 five or six shillings (sterling) per acre, for eight years only, 
 in twenty-four, when the copse is cut down again. Under 
 a Scotch fir plantation it is not worth sixpence more per 
 acre, than it was before it was planted ; under Beech and 
 Spruce, it is worth less than it was before. But under 
 Larch, where the ground was not worth one shilling per 
 acre, before it was planted, the pasture becomes worth from 
 eight to ten shillings an acre, after the first thirty years, 
 when all the thinnings have been completed, and the trees 
 left for naval purposes, at the rate of four hundred to the 
 acre, and twelve feet apart. 
 
 The Larch is a very quick grower. Between 1740, and 
 1744, eleven trees were planted at Blair, the girths of which, 
 at growths from seventy-three to seventy-six years, ranged 
 from eight feet two inches, to ten feet. This lot was calcula- 
 ted to average one hundred feet each, in the whole, one 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 249 
 
 thousand two hundred feet. The total measurement of this 
 lot of twenty-two trees, therefore, is two thousand six 
 hundred and forty-five feet, which at the moderate value 
 of two shillings per foot, would give the sum of £264, IO5. 
 ($1174) for twenty-two Larch trees, of something under 
 eighty years old. We find by the Duke of Athol's tables of 
 measurement, that trees planted by him in 1743, were nine 
 feet three inches in circumference, when measured at four 
 feet from the ground, in 1795. 
 
 The plantations of Larch made by Duke James of Athol, 
 between 1733 and 1759, amounted to one thousand nine 
 hundred and twenty-eight trees. Of these, eight hundred 
 and seventy-three, were cut down between 1809 and 1816. 
 The Duke of Athol had the satisfaction to behold a British 
 frigate built in 1819 and 1820 at Woolwich yard, out of 
 timber planted at Blair and Dunkeld, by himself and the 
 Duke his predecessor. And the extensive and increasing 
 Larch forests of those districts, may yet be called upon largely 
 to supply both our naval and mercantile dock-yards. Mankind 
 are prone to cherish and embalm the memory of individuals 
 whose claims to notoriety have originated in their wide-spread 
 destruction of the human race ; but they are too apt to forget 
 those who have been the benefactors of mankind. That a 
 vessel formed from trees of his introduction and planting, 
 should have waved the British flag over the ocean, is likely 
 to be all the reward contemporaneous or posthumous, which 
 will ever adhere to the noble Duke, for the great good he has 
 done to his country, and for the blessed legacy he has left to 
 his descendants, by the plantation of about fifteen thousand 
 five hundred and seventy-three English acres of ground, 
 which consumed above twenty-seven millions, four hundred 
 and thirty-one thousand, and six hundred trees. 
 
 32 
 
250 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 The following is the probable supply of Larch timber from 
 Athol, beginning twelve years from 1817. 
 
 Loads annually. Scotch acres about. 
 
 12 years before cutting, or in 1829 
 
 12 years before cutting, . . 1841 4,250 
 
 10 do. do. . . 1851 8,000 ) 
 
 8 do. do. . , 1859 18,000 [ 2,000 
 
 8 do. do. . . 1867 30,000) 
 
 16 do. do. . . 1883 52,000 > 
 
 3 do. do. . . 1886 120,000^ 
 
 3,000 
 
 69 ( years calculated to finish } jggg jgg qqq j ^qq 
 
 3 1 plants marked out. ) ' ' 
 
 72 years. Scotch acres, 7,000 
 
 The Larch is unquestionably the most enduring timber 
 that we have. It is remarkable, that whilst the red wood or 
 heart wood is not formed at all in the other resinous trees, 
 till they have lived for a good many years, the Larch, on the 
 contrary, begins to make it soon after it is planted ; and 
 while you may fell a Scotch fir of thirty years old, and find 
 no red wood in it. you can hardly cut down a young Larch 
 large enough to be a Avalking stick, without finding just such 
 a proportion of red wood compared to its diameter as a tree, 
 as you will find in the largest Larch tree in tlie forest, com- 
 pared to its diameter. To prove the value of the Larch as a 
 timber tree, several experiments were made in the river 
 Thames. Posts of equal thickness and strength, some of 
 Larch and others of oak, were driven down facing the river 
 wall, where they were alternately covered with water by the 
 effect of the tide, and then left dry by its fall. This species 
 of alternation is the most trying of all circumstances for the 
 endurance of timber; and accordingly the oaken posts 
 decayed, and were twice renewed in the course of a very 
 few years, while those that were made of the Larch, remained 
 altogether unchanged. 
 
 Besides the foregoing species, [Larix Europea,) we have 
 f.wo native sorts much resembling it ; which are chiefly 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 251 
 
 found in the states of Maine, Vermont, and New-Hampshire. 
 These are known by the names of the Red Larch, {L. Micro- 
 carpa,) and the Black Larch, {L. pendula) ; which latter is 
 often called Hackmatack. In the coldest parts of the Union, 
 these often grow to 80 and 100 feet high ; but in the middle 
 states, they are only seen in the swamps, and appear not to 
 thrive so well except in such situations. For this reason 
 the European Larch is of course greatly preferable when 
 plantations are to be made, either for profit or ornament. 
 The latter is generally increased from seed in the nurseries. 
 
 The American larches are well worthy a place where 
 sufficient moistiu:e can be commanded, as their peculiar 
 forms are striking, though not so finely picturesque as that 
 of the European species. 
 
 In the upper part of Massachusetts, we have observed 
 them in their native soils growing 70 or 80 feet high, and 
 assuming a highly pleasing appearance. Their foliage is 
 bluish-green, and more delicate ; yet altogether the American 
 Larch appears to be more stiff and formal (except far north,) 
 than the foreign tree. 
 
 The Virgilia Tree. Vlrgilia* 
 Nat. Ord. Leguminceae. Lin. Syst. Decandria, Monogynia. 
 
 This fine American tree, still very rare in our ornamental 
 plantations, is a native of west Tennessee, and the banks of 
 the Kentucky river, and in its wild localities seems confined 
 to rather narrow limits. It was named, when first dis- 
 covered, after the poet Virgil, whose agreeable Georgics 
 
 * Cladeastris tinctoria. Torrey and Gray. 
 
252 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 have endeared him to all lovers of nature, and a country 
 life. 
 
 The Virgilia is certainly one of the most beautiful of 
 all that class of trees bearing papilionaceous, or pea-shaped 
 flowers, and pinnate leaves, of which the common locust may 
 serve as a familiar example. It grows to a fine, rather broad 
 head, about 30 or 40 feet high, with dense and luxuriant 
 foliage — much more massy, and finely tufted, than thatof mos^ 
 other pinnated leaved trees. Each leaf is composed of seven 
 or eight leaflets, three or four inches long, and half that 
 breadth, the whole leaf being more thcin a foot in length. 
 These expand rather late in the spring, and are, about the 
 middle of May, followed by numerous terminal racemes, or 
 clusters of the most delicate and charming pea- shaped blossoms, 
 of a pure white. These clusters are six or eight inches in 
 length, and quite broad, the flowers daintily formed, and 
 arranged in a much more graceful, loose, and easy manner, 
 than those of the locust. They have a very agreeable, slight 
 perfume, especially in the evening, and the whole efiect of 
 the tree, when standing singly on a lawn and filled with 
 blossoms, is highly elegant. 
 
 When the blossoms disappear, they are followed by the 
 pods, about the fourth of an inch wide, and three or four 
 inches long, containing a few seeds. These ripen in July 
 or August. 
 
 This tree is frequently called the Yellow-wood, in its 
 native haunts — its heart wood abounding in a fijie yellow 
 colouring matter, which, however, is said to be rather 
 difficult to fix, or render permanent. The bark is beauti- 
 fully smooth, and of a greenish gray colour. In autumn, the 
 leaves, when they die off, take a lively yellow tint. 
 
 This tree grows pretty rapidly, and is very agreeable in its 
 
DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 253 
 
 form and foliage, even while young. It commences flower- 
 ing when about ten or fifteen feet high, and we can recom- 
 mend it with confidence to the amateur of choice trees as 
 worthy of a conspicuous place in the smallest collection. 
 
 The only species known is Virgilia lutea. It was first 
 described by Michaux, and was sent to England, about the 
 year 1812. duite the finest planted specimens within our 
 knowledge are growing in some of the old seats in the 
 northern suburbs of Philadelphia, where there are several, 
 thirty or forty feet in height, and exceedingly beautiful, both 
 in their form and blossoms. A small specimen on our lawn, 
 eighteen feet high, blossoms now very profusely. 
 
 The Paulownia Tree. Paulownia. 
 Nat. Ord. Scrohpulriacese. Lin. Syst. 
 
 The Paulownia is an entirely new ornamental tree very 
 lately introduced into our gardens and pleasure-grounds 
 from Japan, and is likely to prove hardy here, wherever 
 the Ailantus stands the winter, being naturally from the 
 same soil and climate as that tree. It has already attained a 
 great notoriety in the gardening world of the other conti- 
 nent ; and from a cost of four or five guineas a plant, it is 
 now reduced to as many shillings, being very readily pro- 
 pagated. In the north of France, it is perfectly hardy, and 
 will, no doubt, prove equally so here, south of the latitude 
 of Boston. With our own plants being newly received, we 
 have not yet had the opportunity of testing this point. 
 
 The Paulownia is remarkable for the long size of its 
 foliage and the great rapidity of its growth. The largest 
 leaves are more than two feet in diameter, slightly rough or 
 
254 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 hairy, and serrated on the edges. They are heart-shaped 
 and have been likened to those of the Catalpa, but they 
 perhaps more nearly resemble those of the common sun- 
 flower. 
 
 In its growth, this tree, while young, equals or exceeds the 
 Ailantus. In rich soils, near Paris, it has produced shoots, 
 in a single season, 12 or 14 feet in length. After being two 
 or three years planted, it commences yielding its blossoms 
 in panicled clusters. These are bluish lilac, of an open 
 mouthed, tubular form, are very abundantly distributed, and, 
 together with the large foliage, and the robust habit of 
 growth, give this tree a gay and striking appearance. Its 
 flower buds open during the last of April, or early in May, 
 and have a slight, syringo-like perfume. 
 
 The Paulownia, though yet very rare, is easy of propaga- 
 tion by cuttings — and even pieces of the roots grow freely. 
 Should it prove as hardy as (from our fine dry summers for 
 ripening its wood,) we confidently anticipate, it will be worthy 
 of a prominent place in every arrangement of choice orna- 
 mental trees. 
 
EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. 255 
 
 SECTION V. 
 
 EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. 
 
 The History and Description of all the finest Hardy Evergreen Trees. Remarks on their 
 EFFECTS in Landscape Gardening, Individitally and in Composition. Their Culti- 
 vation, etc. The Pines. The Firs. The Cedar of Lebanon, and the Deodar Cedar. The 
 Red Cedar. The Arbor Vitse. The Holly. The Yew, etc. 
 
 Beneath the forest's skirt I rest, 
 ^Vhose branching Pines rise dark and high, 
 
 And hear the breezes of the West 
 Among the threaded foliage sigh. 
 
 Bryant. 
 
 The PrNE Tree. Pimis. 
 Nat. Ord. Conifers. Lin. Sysl. Moncecia, Monadelphia. 
 
 H E Pines compose by far the most im- 
 portant genus of evergreen trees. In 
 either continent they form the densest 
 and most extensive forests known, and 
 their wood in civil and naval architectm*e, and for various 
 other purposes, is more generally used than any other. In 
 the United States and the Canadas, there are ten species ; in 
 the territory west of the Mississippi to the Pacific, including 
 Mexico, there are fourteen ; in Europe fourteen ; in Asia, 
 eight, and in Africa, two species. All the colder parts of the 
 old world — the mountains of Switzerland and the Alps, the 
 shores of the Baltic, vast tracts in Norway, Sweden, Ger- 
 
256 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 many, Poland, and Russia, as well as millions of acres in our 
 own country, abound with immense and interminable forests 
 of Pine. Capable of enduring extreme cold, growing on 
 thin soils, and flourishing in an atmosphere, the mean tem- 
 perature of which is not greater than 37° or 38° Fahrenheit, 
 they are found as far north as latitude 68° in Lapland ; 
 while on mountains they grow at a greater elevation than 
 any other aborescent plant. On Mount Blanc, the Pines 
 grow within 2,800 feet of the line of perpetual snow.* In 
 Mexico, also, Humboldt found them higher than any other 
 tree ; and Lieut. Glennie describes them as growing in thick 
 forests on the mountain of Popocotapetl, as high as 12,693 
 feet, beyond which altitude vegetation ceases entirely.t 
 
 The Pines are, most of them, trees of considerable mag- 
 nitude and lofty growth, varying from 40 to 150, or even 
 200 feet in height in favourable situations, rising with a 
 perpendicular trunk, which is rarely divided into branches, 
 bearing much proportionate size to the main stem, as in 
 most deciduous trees. The branches are much more hori- 
 zontal than those of the latter class, (excepting the Larch.) 
 The leaves are linear or needle-shaped, and are always 
 found arranged in little parcels of from two to six, the num- 
 ber varying in the different species. The blossoms are 
 produced in spring, and the seeds, borne in cones, are not 
 ripened, in many sorts, until the following autumn. Every 
 part of the stem abounds in a resinous juice, which is ex- 
 tracted, and forms in the various shapes of tar, pitch, rosin, 
 turpentine, balsam, etc., a considerable article of trade and 
 export. 
 
 As ornamental trees, the Pines are peculiarly valuable for 
 
 * Edinburgh Phil. Journ. 
 
 t Proc. Geological Soc. Lond. Arb. Brit. 
 
EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES, 257 
 
 the deep verdure of their foHage, which, unchanged by the 
 severity of the seasons, is beautiful at all periods, and espe- 
 cially so in winter ; for the picturesque forms which many 
 of them assume when fully grown ; and for the effectual 
 shelter and protection which they afford in cold, bleak, and 
 exposed situations. We shall here particularize those spe- 
 cies, natives of either hemispheres, that are most valuable to 
 the planter, and are also capable of enduring the open air of 
 the middle states. 
 
 The White Pine, (P. strobiis,) called also Sapling Pine, 
 and Apple Pine, in various parts of this country, and Wey- 
 mouth Pine abroad, is undoubtedly the most beautiful North 
 American tree of the genus. The foliage is much lighter in 
 colour, more delicate in texture, and the whole tufting of the 
 leaves more airy and pleasing than that of the other species. 
 It is also beautiful in every stage of its growth, from a young 
 plant to a stately tree of 150 feet. When it grows in strong 
 soil, it becomes thick and compact in its head ; but its most 
 beautiful form is displayed when it stands in a dry and gra- 
 velly site ; there it shoots up with a majestic and stately 
 shaft, studded every six or eight feet with horizontal tiers of 
 branches and foliage. The hue of the leaves is much paler, 
 and less sombre than that of the other native sorts ; and be- 
 ing less stiffly set upon the branches, is more easily put in 
 motion by the wind ; the murmuring of the wind among 
 the Pine tops is, poetically, thought to give out a rather 
 melancholy sound : — 
 
 " The Pines of Moenalus were heard to mourn, 
 And sounds of wo along the grove were borne," 
 
 says Virgil, speaking of the European Pine. But the mur- 
 mur of the slight breeze among the foliage of the White 
 
 33 
 
258 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 Pine gives out a remarkably soothing and agreeable sound, 
 which agrees better with the description of Leigh Hunt : 
 
 " And then there fled by me a rush of air 
 That stirr'd up all the other foliage there, 
 Filling the solitude with panting tongues, 
 At which the Pines woke up into their songs, 
 Shaking their choral locks." 
 
 Pickering, one of our own poets, thus characterizes the 
 melody : 
 
 " The overshadowing pines alone, through which I roam, 
 Their verdure keep, although it darker looks ; 
 And hark ! as it comes sighing through the grove, 
 The exhausted gale, a spirit there awakes. 
 That wild and melancholy music makes." 
 
 This species — the White Pine — seldom becomes flattened 
 or rounded on the summit in old age, like many other sorts, 
 but preserves its graceful and tapering form entire. From 
 its pleasing growth and colour, we consider it by far the 
 most desirable kind for planting in the proximity of build- 
 ings, and its growth for an evergreen is also quite rapid. 
 
 The leaves of the White Pine are thickly disposed on the 
 branches, in little bundles or parcels of five. The cones 
 are about five inches long ; they hang, when nearly ripe, in 
 a pendulous manner from the branches, and open, to shed 
 their seeds, about the first of October. The bark on trees 
 less than twenty years old, is remarkably smooth, but be- 
 comes cracked and rough, like that of the other Pines, when 
 they grow old, although it never splits and separates itself 
 from the trunk in scales, as in other species. 
 
 The great forests of White Pine lie in the northern parts 
 
EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. 259 
 
 of the Union ; and the geographical range of this tree is 
 comprised chiefly between New- York and the 47th degree of 
 north latitude, it being neither capable of resisting the fierce 
 heat of the south, nor the intense cold of the extreme north- 
 ern regions. In Maine, New-Hampshire, and Vermont, the 
 White Pine aboimds in various situations, adapting itself to 
 every variety of soil, from dry, gravelly upland, to swamps 
 constantly wet. Michaux measured two trunks near the 
 river Kermebec, one of which was 154 feet long, and 54 
 inches in diameter ; the other 144 feet long, and 44 inches 
 in diameter, at three feet from the ground. Dr. Dwight 
 also mentions a specimen on the Kattskill 249 feet long 
 and several on the Unadilla 200 feet long, and three in 
 diameter.* These, though they are remarkable specimens, 
 show the stately altitude which this fine species sometimes 
 attains, equalling in majesty the grandest specimens of the 
 old world: 
 
 The rougher rinded Pine, 
 
 The great Argoan ship's brave ornament, 
 Which, coveting with liis high top's extent 
 "To make the mountains touch the stars divine. 
 Decks all the forest with embellishment. 
 
 Spenser. 
 
 The Yellow Pine, (P. mitis,) is a fine evergreen, usually 
 reaching a stature of 50 or 60 feet, with a nearly uniform 
 diameter of about 18 inches for two-thirds of its length. 
 The branches generally take a handsome conical shape, and 
 the whole head considerably resembles that of the spruce, 
 whence it is sometimes called the Spruce Pine. The term 
 Yellow Pine arises from the colour of the wood as con- 
 
 * Dwighl's Travels, Vol. IV. p. 21—26. 
 
260 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 trasted with that of the foregoing sort, which is white. The 
 leaves of this species are long and flexible, arranged in pairs 
 upon the branches, and have a fine dark green colour. 
 The cones are very small, scarcely measuring an inch and 
 a half in length, and are clothed on the exterior with short 
 spines. The growth is quite slow. 
 
 The Yellow Pine is rarely found above Albany to the 
 northward, but it extends as far south as the Floridas. It 
 grows in the greatest abundance in New- Jersey, Maryland, 
 and Virginia, and sometimes measures five or six feet in cir- 
 cumference. In plantations, it has the valuable property to 
 recommend it, of growing on the very poorest lands. 
 
 The Pitch Pine, (P. I'igida,) is a very distinct sort, com- 
 mon in the whole of the United States east of the Allegha- 
 nies. It is very stiff and formal in its growth when young, 
 but as it approaches maturity, it becomes one of the most 
 picturesque trees of the genus. The branches, which shoot 
 out horizontally, bend downwards at the extremities, and 
 the top of the tree when old, takes a flattened shape. The 
 whole air and expression of the tree is wild and romantic, 
 and is harmonious with portions of scenery when these 
 characters predominate. The leaves are collected in threes, 
 and the colour of the foliage is a dark green. The cones 
 are pyramidal, from one to three inches long, and armed 
 with short spines. 
 
 The bark of this kind of Pine is remarkably rough, black, 
 and furrowed even upon young trees : and the wood is filled 
 with resinous sap, from which pitch and tar are copiously 
 supplied. The trees grow in various parts of the country, 
 both on the most meagre soils and in moist swamps, with 
 almost equal facility. In the latter situations they are, how- 
 ever, comparatively destitute of resin, but the stems often 
 rise to 80 feet in elevation. 
 
EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. 261 
 
 The foregoing are the finest and most important species 
 of the north. The Red Pine, {Plmis rubra,) and the Gray 
 Pine, are species of small or secondary size, chiefly indige- 
 nous to British America. The Jersey Pine, (P. inops,) is a 
 dwarfish species, often called the Scrub Pine, which seldom 
 grows more than 25 feet high. 
 
 There are some splendid species, that are confined to 
 the southern states, where they grow in great luxuriance. 
 Among the most interesting of these, is the Long-leaved 
 Pine, (P. mist rails,) a tree of 70 feet elevation, with superb 
 wandlike foliage, borne in threes, often nearly a foot in 
 length. The cones are also seven or eight inches long, 
 containing a kernel or seed of agreeable flavour. As this 
 tree grows as far north as Norfolk in Virginia, we are 
 strongly inclined to believe that it might be naturalized in 
 the climate of the middle states, and think it would become 
 one of the most valuable additions to our catalogue of ever- 
 green trees. The Loblolly Pine, (P. Tceda,) of Virginia, 
 has also fine foliage, six inches or more in length, and 
 grows to 80 feet in height. Besides these already named, 
 the southern states produce the Pond Pine, (P. serotina,) 
 which resembles considerably the Pitch Pine, with, how- 
 ever, longer leaves, and the Table Mountain Pine, (P. Pun- 
 gens,) which grows 40 or 50 feet high, and is found exclu- 
 sively upon that part of the Alleghany range. 
 
 We must not forget in this enumeration of the Pines of 
 North America, the magnificent species of California and 
 the north-west coast. The most splendid of these was 
 discovered in Northern California, and named the Finns 
 Lamhertiana, in honour of that distinguished botanist, A. 
 B. Lambert, Esq., of London, the author of a superb work 
 on this genus of trees. It is undoubtedly one of the finest 
 
262 LANDSCAPE GARDENING, 
 
 evergreens in the world, averaging from 100 to 200 feet in 
 height. Its discoverer, Mr. Douglass, the indefatigable 
 collector of the Horticultural Society of London^ measured 
 one of these trees that had blown down, which was two 
 hundred and fifteen feet in length, and fifty-seven feet nine 
 inches in circumference, at three feet from the root, while 
 at one hundred and thirty-four feet from the rooty it was 
 seventeen feet five inches in girth. This, it is stated, is by 
 no means the maximum height of the species. The cones 
 of the Lambert Pine measure sixteen inches in length ; and 
 the seeds are eaten by the natives of those regions, either 
 roasted or made into cakes, after being pounded. The other 
 species found by Mr. Douglass, grow naturally in the 
 mountain valleys of the western coast, and several of them, 
 as the Pinus graridis, and 7iohilis, are almost as lofty as 
 the foregoing sort ; while Pinus monticola and P. Sahi- 
 niajia, are highly beautiful in their forms, and elegant in 
 foliage. The seeds of nearly all these sorts were first sent 
 to the garden of the London Horticultural Society, where 
 many of the young trees are now growing ; and we hope 
 that they will soon be introduced into our plantations, 
 which they are so admirably calculated, by their elegant 
 foliage and stupendous magnitude, to adorn. 
 
 The European Pines next deserve our attention. The 
 most common species in the north of Europe is the Scotch 
 Pine, (P. sylvestrisj) a dark, tall evergreen tree, with bluish 
 foliage, of 80 feet in height, which furnishes most of the 
 deal timber of Europe. It is one of the most rapid of all the 
 Pines in its growth, even on poor soils, and is, therefore, 
 valuable in new places. The Stone Pine, (P. jnnea,) is a 
 native of the South of Europe, where it is decidedly the 
 most picturesque evergreen tree of that continent. It belongs 
 peculiarly to Italy, and its " vast canopy, supported on a 
 
EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. 263 
 
 naked column of great height, forms one of the chief and 
 peeuHar beauties in Itahan scenery, and in the hving land- 
 scapes of Claude." We regret that it is too tender to bear 
 our winters, but its place may in a great measure be supplied 
 by the Pinaster or Cluster Pine, (P. pinaster^) which is 
 quite hardy, and succeeds well in the United States. This 
 has much of the same picturesque expression ; depressed 
 or rounded head, and tall columnar stem, which mark the 
 Stone Pine ; while its thickly massed foliage, clustering 
 cones, and rough bark, render it distinct and strikingly in- 
 teresting. 
 
 The Corsican Pine, (P. lai'ico,) is a handsome, regular 
 shaped, pyramidal tree, with the branches disposed in tiers 
 like those of the White Pine. It grows to a large size, and 
 is valued for its extremely dark green foliage, thickly spread 
 upon the branches. It is also one of the most rapid growers 
 among the foreign sorts, and has been found to grow remark- 
 ably well upon the barren chalk downs of England. Pimis 
 cemhra is a very slow growing, though valuable kind, indi- 
 genous to Switzerland, and hardy here. 
 
 These are the principal European species that deserve 
 notice here, for their ornamental qualities. Some splendid 
 additions have been made to this genus, by the discovery of 
 new species on the Himraalya mountains of Asia ; and from 
 the great elevation at which they are found growing wild, 
 we have reason to hope that they will become naturalized in 
 our climate. 
 
 We must not leave this extensive of family trees, without 
 adverting to their numerous and important uses. In the 
 United States, full four-fifths of all the houses built, are con- 
 structed of the White and Yellow Pine, chiefly of the former. 
 Soft, easily worked, light and fine in texture, it is almost 
 universally employed in carpentry, and for all the purposes 
 
264 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 of civil architecture; while the tall stately trunks, furnish 
 masts and spars, not only for our own vessels, but many of 
 those of England. A great commerce is therefore carried 
 on in the timber of this tree, and vast quantities of the boards, 
 etc. are annually exported to Europe. The Yellow and 
 Pitch Pine, furnish much of the enormous supplies of fuel 
 consumed by the great number of steamboats employed in 
 navigating our numerous inland rivers. The Long-leaved 
 Pine is the great timber tree of the southern states ; and 
 when we take into account all its various products, we 
 must admit it to be the most valuable tree of the whole 
 family. The consumption of the wood of this tree in build- 
 ing, in the southern states, is immense ; and its sapTurnishes 
 nearly all the turpentine, tar, pitch, and rosin, used in this 
 country, or exported to Europe. The turpentine flows from 
 large incisions made in the trunk, (into boxes fastened to 
 the side of the trees for that purpose,) during the whole of 
 the spring and summer. Spirit of turpentine is obtained 
 from this by distillation. Tar is procured by burning the 
 dead wood in kilns, when it flows out in a current from a 
 conduit made in the bottom. Pitch is prepared by boiling 
 tar until it is about one half diminished in bulk ; and rosin 
 is the residuum of the distillation, when spirit of turpentine 
 is made. The Carolinas produce all these in the greatest 
 abundancCj and so long ago as in 1807, the exportation of 
 them to England alone, amounted to nearly $800,000 in that 
 single year. 
 
 The Fir Trees. Abies. 
 
 Nat. Ord. ConiferjE. Lin. Syst. Monoecia, Monadelphia. 
 
 The Fir trees differ from the Pines, to which they are 
 nearly related, in having much shorter leaves, which are 
 
EVERCxREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. 265 
 
 placed singly upon the branches, instead of bemg collected 
 in little bundles or parcels of two, three, or five, as is the case 
 in all Pines. They generally grow in a more conical man- 
 ner than the latter, and in ornamental plantations owe their 
 beauty in most cases, more to their symmetrical regularity 
 of growth, than to picturesque expression. 
 
 The Balsam, or Balm of Gilead Fir, {A. balsamea,) some- 
 times also called the American Silver Fir, is one of the most 
 ornamental of our native evergreens. It is found most abun- 
 dantly in Maine, and Nova Scotia, but is scattered more or 
 less on the mountain tops, and in cold swamps, through 
 various other parts of the Union. At Pine Orchard, near the 
 Catskill Mountain-house, it flourishes well, though not seen 
 below the elevation of 1,800 feet. "When standing singly, it 
 forms a perfect pyramid of fine dark green foliage, 30 or 40 
 feet high, regularly clothed from the bottom to the top. The 
 leaves, about half or three-fourths of an inch long, are silvery 
 white on the under surface, though dark green above ; and are 
 inserted both on the sides and top of the branches. It is one 
 of the most beautiful evergreens for planting in groimds near 
 the house, and is perhaps more cultivated for that purpose, 
 than any other in the Union. The cones, which are four 
 or five inches long, like those of the European Silver Fir 
 point upwards. However small the plants of this Fir may 
 may be, they are still interesting, as they display the same 
 symmetry as full grown trees. The deep green colour of the 
 verdure of the Balm of Gilead Fir is retained unchanged in 
 all its beauty through the severest winters, which causes it 
 to contrast agreeably with the paler tints of the Spruces. 
 On the trimk of trees of this species, are found small vesicles 
 or blisters, filled with a liquid resin, which is extracted and 
 
 34 
 
266 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 sold, under the name of Balm of Gilead * for its medicinal 
 virtues. 
 
 The European Silver Fir, {A. picea,) strongly resembles, 
 when young, the Balsam Fir. But its leaves are longer and 
 coarser, and the cones are much larger, while it also attains 
 twice or three times the size of the latter. In the forests of 
 Germany ^^ it sometimes rises over 100 feet ; and it always 
 becomes a large tree in a favourable soil. It grows slowly 
 during the first twenty years, but afterwards it advances with 
 much more rapidity. It thrives well, and is quite hardy in 
 this country. 
 
 The Norway Spruce Fir, {A. commu7iis,'\) is by far the 
 handsomest of that division of the Firs called the Spruces. 
 It generally rises with a perfectly straight trunk to the height 
 of from 80 to 150 feet. It is a native, as its name denotes, 
 of the colder parts of Europe, and consequently grows well 
 in the northern states. The branches hang down with a 
 fine graceful curve, or sweep; and although the leaves are 
 much paler than those of the foregoing kinds, yet the thick 
 fringe-like tufts of foliage, which clothe the branches, give 
 the whole tree a rich, dark appearance. The large cones, too, 
 always nearly six inches long, are beautifully pendant, and 
 greatly increase the beauty of an old tree of this kind. 
 
 The Norway Spruce is the great tree of the Alps ; and as 
 a park tree, to stand alone, we scarcely know a more beau- 
 tiful one. It then generally branches out quite down to the 
 ground ; and its fine, sweeping, feathery branches hang down 
 in the most graceful and pleasing manner. There are some 
 
 4 
 * The true Balm of Gilead is an Asiatic herb, Amyris gUeadensxs. 
 
 t Abies exelsa. 
 
EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. 267 
 
 superb specimens of this species in various gardens of the 
 middle states, 80 or 100 feet high. 
 
 The Black, or Double Spruce, {A. iiigra,) sometimes also 
 called the Red Spruce, is very common in the north ; and, 
 according to Michaux, forms a third part of the forests of 
 Vermont, Maine, New-Hampshire, as well as New Brunswick 
 and Lower Canada. The leaves are quite short and stiif, 
 and clothe the young branches around the whole surface ; 
 and the whole tree, where it much abounds, has rather a 
 gloomy aspect. In the favourable humid black soils of those 
 countries, the Black Spruce grows 70 feet high, forming a 
 fine tall pyramid of verdure. But it is rarely found in 
 abundance farther south, except in swamps, where its growth 
 is much less strong and vigorous. Mingled with other ever- 
 greens, it adds to the variety, and the peculiar colouring of 
 its foliage gives value to the livelier tints of other species of 
 Pine and Fir. 
 
 The White or Single Spruce, {A. alba,) is a smaller and 
 less common tree than the foregoing, though it is often 
 found in the same situations. The leaves are more thinly 
 arranged on the young shoots, and they are longer and pro- 
 ject more from the branches. The colour, however, is a 
 distinguishing characteristic between the two sorts ; for 
 while in the Black Spruce it is very dark, in this species 
 it is of a light bluish green tint. The cones are also much 
 larger on the White Spruce tree. 
 
 The Hemlock Spruce, or, as it is more commonly called, 
 the Hemlock, {A. canadensis,) is one of the finest and most 
 distinct of this tribe of trees. It is most abundantly multi- 
 plied in the extreme northern portions of the Union ; and 
 abounds more or less, in scattered groups and thickets, 
 
268 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 throughout all the middle states, while at the south it is 
 confined chiefly to the mountains. 
 
 It prefers a soil, which, though slightly moist, is less 
 humid than that where the Black Spruce succeeds best ; 
 and it thrives well in the deep cool shades of mountain val- 
 leys. In the Highlands of the Hudson, it grows in great 
 luxuriance ; and in one locality, the sides of a valley near 
 Cro'nest, the surface is covered with the most superb 
 growths of this tree, reaching up from the water's edge to 
 the very summit of the hill, 1,400 feet high, like a rich and 
 shadowy mantle, sprinkled here and there only with the 
 lighter and more delicate foliage of deciduous trees. 
 
 The average height of the Hemlock in good soils is about 
 70 or 80 feet ; and when standing alone, or in very small 
 groups, it is one of the most beautiful coniferous trees. 
 The leaves are disposed in two rows on each side of the 
 branches, and considerably resemble those of the Yew, 
 though looser in texture, and livelier in colour. The fo- 
 liage, when the tree has grown to some height, hangs from 
 the branches in loose pendulous tufts, which give it a 
 peculiarly graceful appearance. When young, the form of 
 the head is regularly pyramidal ; but when the tree attains 
 more age, it often assumes very irregular and picturesque 
 forms. Sometimes it grows up in a thick, dense, dark mass 
 of foliage, only varied by the pendulous branches, which 
 project beyond the grand mass of the tree ; at others it forms 
 a loose, airy, and graceful top, permeable to the slightest 
 breeze, and waving its loose tufts of leaves to every passing 
 breath of air. In almost all cases, it is extremely orna- 
 mental, and we regret that it is not more generally employed 
 in decorating the grounds of our residences. It should be 
 transplanted (like all of this class of trees,) quite early in 
 
EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. 269 
 
 the spring, the roots being preserved as nearly entire as 
 possible, and not suffered to become the least dried, before 
 they are replaced in the soil. 
 
 The uses of the Fir tree are important. The Norway 
 Spruce Fir furnishes the white deal timber so extensively 
 employed in Europe for all the various purposes of build- 
 ing ; and its tall, tapering stems afford fine masts for vessels. 
 The Black Spruce timber is also highly valuable, and is 
 thought by many persons to surpass in excellence that of 
 the Norway Spruce. The young shoots also enter into the 
 composition of the celebrated Spruce beer of this country, 
 a delightful and very healthful beverage. And the Hem- 
 lock not only furnishes a vast quantity of the joists used in 
 building frame-houses, but supplies the tanners with an 
 abundance of bark, which, when mixed with that of the 
 oak, is highly esteemed in the preparation of leather. 
 
 We regret that the fine evergreen trees both £>f this coun- 
 try and Europe, which compose the Pine and Fir tribes, 
 have not hitherto received more of the attention of planters. 
 It is inexpressible how much they add to the beauty of a 
 country residence in winter. At that season, when, during 
 three or four months the landscape is bleak and covered 
 with snow, these noble trees, properly intermingled with the 
 groups in view from the window, or those surrounding the 
 house, give an appearance of verdure and life to the scene 
 which cheats winter of half its dreariness. In exposed 
 quarters, also, and in all windy and bleak situations, groups 
 of evergreens form the most effectual shelter at all seasons 
 of the year, while many of them have the great additional 
 recommendation of growing upon the most meagre soils. 
 
270 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 In fine country residences abroad, is is becoming custom- 
 ary to select some extensive and suitable locality, where all 
 the species of Pines and Firs are collected together, and al- 
 lowed to develop themselves in their full beauty of propor- 
 tion. Such a spot is called a Pinetum ; and the effect of 
 all the different species growing in the same assemblage, and 
 contrasting their various forms, heights, and peculiarities, 
 cannot but be strikingly elegant. One of the largest and 
 oldest collections of this kind is the Pinetum of Lord Gren- 
 ville, at Dropmore, near Windsor, England. This contains 
 nearly 100 kinds, comprising all the sorts known to English 
 botanists, that will endure the open air of their mild climate. 
 The great advantage of these Pinetums is, that many of the 
 more delicate species, which if exposed singly would perish, 
 thrive well, and become quite naturalized under the shelter 
 of the more hardy and vigorous sorts. 
 
 The Cedar of Lebanon Tree. Cedrus. 
 
 Nal, Ord. Coniferae. Lin. Syst. Moncecia, Monadelphia. 
 
 The Cedar of Lebanon is universally admitted by Euro- 
 pean authors to be the noblest evergreen tree of the old 
 world. Its native sites are the elevated valleys and ridges 
 of Mount Lebanon and the neighbouring heights of the lofty 
 groups of Asia Minor. There it once covered immense for- 
 ests, but it is supposed these have never recovered from the 
 inroads made upon them by the forty score thousand hewers 
 employed by Solomon to procure the timber for the erection 
 of the Temple. Modern travellers speak of them as greatly 
 
EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. 271 
 
 diminished in number, though there are still specimens mea- 
 suring thirty-six feet in circumference. Mount Lebanon is 
 inhabited by numerous Maronite Christians, who hold an- 
 nually a celebration of the Transfiguration under the 
 shade of the existing trees, which they call the " Feast of 
 Cedars." 
 
 The Cedar of Lebanon is nearly related to the Larch, hav - 
 ing its leaves collected in parcels like that tree, but differs 
 widely in the circumstance of its foliage being evergreen. 
 It is remarkable for the wide extension of its branches, and 
 the immense surface covered by its overshadowing canopy 
 of foliage. In the sacred writings it is often alluded to as an 
 emblem of great strength, beauty, and duration. " Behold 
 the Assyrian was a Cedar in Lebanon, with fair branches, 
 and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature ; and 
 his top was among the thick boughs. His boughs were 
 multiplied, and his branches became long. The fir trees 
 were not like his boughs, nor the chestnut trees like his 
 branches, nor any tree in the garden of God like unto him 
 in beauty."* 
 
 In England the Cedar of Lebanon appears to have become 
 quite naturalized. There it is considered by far the most 
 ornamental of all the Pine tribe, — possessing, when full 
 grown, an air of dignity and grandeur beyond any other tree. 
 To attain the fullest beauty of development, it should always 
 stand alone, so that its far-spreading horizontal branches can 
 have full room to stretch out and expand themselves on 
 every side. Loudon in his Arboretum, gives a representa- 
 tion of a superb specimen now growing at Syon House, the 
 
 Ezekiel, xxxi. 
 
272 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 seat of the Duke of Northumberland, which is 72 feet high, 
 24 in circumference, and covers an area, with its huge de- 
 pending branches, of 117 feet. There are many other 
 Cedars in England almost equal to this in grandeur. Sir T. 
 D. Lauder gives an account of one at Whitton, which blew 
 down in 1779 : it then measured 70 feet in height, 16 feet in 
 circumference, and covered an area of 100 feet in diameter. 
 To show the rapidity of the growth of this tree, he quotes 
 three Cedars of Lebanon, which were planted at Hopetoun 
 House, Scoltand, in the year 1748. The measurement is the 
 circumference of the trimks, and shows the rapid increase 
 after they have attained a large size. 
 
 1801. 
 
 1320. 
 
 1825. 
 
 1833. 
 
 ft. in. 
 
 10 
 
 8 6 
 
 7 10 
 
 ft. in. 
 
 13 1^ 
 
 10 9| 
 
 9 9i 
 
 ft. in. 
 14 
 11 4 
 10 8 
 
 ft. in. 
 15 I 
 12 3 
 11 6 
 
 Increase in 
 32 years. 
 
 First Cedar, 
 Second do. 
 Third do. 
 
 ft. 
 5 
 3 
 3 
 
 A Chestnut measured at the same periods, only increased 2 
 
 in. 
 1 
 9 
 
 8 
 
 From the above table, it will be seen ho\V' congenial even 
 the cold climate of Scotland is to the growth of this tree. 
 Indeed in its native soils, the tops of the surrounding hills 
 are almost perpetually covered with snow, and it is there- 
 fore, one of the very hardiest of the evergreens of the old 
 world. There is no reason why it should not succeed ad- 
 mirably in many parts of the United States ; and when we 
 consider its great size, fine dark green foliage, and wide 
 spreading limbs which 
 
 -Overarching, frame, 
 
 Most solemn domes within." 
 
 Shelley. 
 
 as well as the many interesting associations connected with 
 
EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. 273 
 
 it, we cannot but think it better worth our early attention' 
 and extensive introduction, than almost any other foreign 
 tree. Evergreens are comparatively difficult to import, and 
 as we have made the experiment of importing Cedars of 
 Lebanon from the English nurseries with but indifferent 
 success, we would advise that persons attempting its cultiva- 
 tion, should procure the cones containing the seeds from 
 England, when they may be reared directly in our own soil, 
 which will of course be an additional advantage to the future 
 growth of the tree.* 
 
 The situations found to be most favourable to this Cedar, 
 in the parks and gardens of Europe, are sandy or gravelly 
 soils, either with a moist subsoil underneath, or in the 
 neighbourhood of springs, or bodies of water. In such places 
 it is found to advance with a rapidity equal to the Larch, 
 one of the fastest growing timber trees, as we have already 
 noticed. 
 
 The Deodara, or Indian Cedar, {Cedrus Deodar a^) is a 
 magnificent species of this tree, recently introduced from 
 the high mountains of Nepal and Indo-Tartary. It stands 
 the climate of Scotland, and appears likely to succeed here 
 wherever the Cedar of Lebanon will flourish. In its native 
 country it is described as being a lofty and majestic tree, 
 frequently attaining the height of 150 feet, with a trunk 30 
 feet in circumference. The leaves are larger than those of 
 the Cedar of Lebanon, of a deeper bluish green, covered 
 with a silvery bloom ; the cones, borne in pairs, are of a 
 reddish brown colour, and are both longer and broader than 
 those of the latter species. In some parts of upper India it 
 
 * The finest Cedar of Lebanon in the Union, is growing in the grounds of T. 
 Ash, Esq., of Westchester Co., N. Y., being 50 feet high and of corresponding 
 breadth. It stands near a Purple-leaved Beech, equally large and beautiful. 
 
 35 
 
274 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 is considered a sacred tree, {Deodara — tree of God,) and is 
 only used to burn as incense in days of high ceremony ; 
 but in others it is held in the highest esteem as a timber 
 tree, having all the good qualities of the Cedar of Lebanon 
 — its great durability being attested by its sound state in 
 the roofs of temples of that country, which cannot have 
 been built less than 200 years. 
 
 We have but just introduced the Deodara into the United 
 States, and can therefore say little of its growth or beauty 
 here, though we have little doubt that it will prove one of 
 the noblest evergreen trees for our pleasure grounds. Lou- 
 don says, " the specimens in England are yet small ; but 
 the feathery lightness of its spreading branches, and the 
 beautiful glaucous hue of its leaves, render it, even when 
 young, one of the most ornamental of the coniferous trees ; 
 and all the travellers who have seen it full grown, agree 
 that it unites an extraordinary degree of majesty and gran- 
 deur with its beauty. The tree thrives in every part of 
 Great Britain where it has been tried, even as far north as 
 Aberdeen ; where, as in many other places, it is fomid 
 hardier than the Cedar of Lebanon. It is readily propaga- 
 ted by seeds, which preserve their vitality when imported 
 in the cones. It also grows freely by cuttings, which appear 
 to make as handsome free-growing plants as those raised 
 from seed." The soil and culture for this tree are precisely 
 those for the Cedar bf Lebanon. 
 
 The Red Cedar Tree. Jimiperns. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Coniferae. Lin. Syst. DicBcia, Monadelphia. 
 
 The Red- Cedar is a very common tree, indigenous to this 
 country, and growing in considerable abundance from Maine 
 
EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. 275 
 
 to Florida ; but thriving with the greatest luxuriance in the 
 sea-board states. "When fully grown, the Red Cedar is about 
 40 feet in height, and little more than a foot in diameter. 
 The leaves are very small, composed of minute scales, and 
 lie pretty close to the branches. Small blue berries, borne 
 thickly upon the branches of the female trees in autumn 
 and winter, contain the seeds. These are covered with a 
 whitish exudation, and are sometimes used, like those of the 
 foreign juniper, in the manufacture of gin. 
 
 The Red Cedar has less to recommend it to the eye than 
 most of the evergreens, which we have already described. 
 The colour of the foliage is dull and dingy at many seasons, 
 and the form of the young tree is too compactly conical to 
 please generally. When old, however, we have seen it 
 throw off this formality, and become an interesting, and, in- 
 deed, a picturesque tree. Then its branches shooting out in 
 a horizontal direction, clad with looser and more pendant 
 foliage, give the whole tree quite another character. The 
 twisted stems, too, when they become aged, have a singular, 
 dried-looking, whitish bark, which is quite unique and pe- 
 culiar. There is a very fine natural av-enue of Red Cedars 
 near Fishkill landing, in Dutchess Co., composed of two 
 rows of noble trees 35 or 40 feet high, which is a very 
 agreeable walk in winter and early spring. This has given 
 the name of Cedar Grove to the country-seat in question 
 where the Red Cedar grows spontaneously upon a slate 
 subsoil, with great luxuriance. There the trees are dis- 
 seminated widely by the birds, which feed with avidity 
 upon the berries. 
 
 The Red Cedar is well known to every person as one of 
 our very best timber trees. It takes its name from the red- 
 
276 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 dish hue of the perfect wood. This has a fragrant odour, 
 and is not only light, fine-grained, and close in texture, but 
 extremely durable. It is therefore much employed, (though 
 of late it is becoming scarcer,) in conjunction with the Live 
 oak, which is too heavy alone, in ship-building. It is also 
 valued for its great durability as posts for fencing ; and is 
 exported to Europe, to be used in the manufacture of pen- 
 cils, and other useful purposes. 
 
 The Arbor Vit^e Tree. Thuja. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Coniferse. Lin. Syst. Moncecia, Monadelphia. 
 
 The Arbor VitaB, {Thuja occidentalis,) sometimes also 
 called Flat Cedar, or White Cedar, is distinguished from 
 most evergreens by its flat foliage, composed of a great num- 
 ber of scales closely imbricated, or overlaying each other, 
 which give the whole a compressed appearance. The seeds 
 are borne in a small cone, usually not more than half an 
 inch in length. 
 
 This tree is extremely formal and regular in outline in al- 
 most every stage of growth ; generally assuming the shape 
 of an exact cone or pyramid of close foliage, of considerable 
 extent at the base, close to the ground, and narrowing up- 
 wards to a sharp point. So regular is their outline in many 
 cases, when they are growing upon fevom-able soils, that at 
 a short distance they look as if they had been subjected to 
 the clipping-shears. The sameness of its form precludes the 
 employment of this evergreen in so extensive a manner as 
 most others ; that is, in intermingling it promiscuously with 
 
EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. 277 
 
 Other trees of less artificial forms. But the Arbor Vitae, from 
 this very regularity, is well suited to support and accompany 
 scenery when objects of an avowedly artificial character pre- 
 dominate, as buildings, etc., where it may be used with a 
 very happy effect. There is also no evergreen tree indi- 
 genous or introduced, which will make a more effectual, 
 close, and impervious screen than this : and as it thrives well 
 in almost every soil, moist, dry, rich or poor, we strongly 
 recommend it whenever such thickets are desirable. We 
 have ourselves tried the experiment with a hedge of it about 
 200 feet long, which was transplanted about five or six feet 
 high from the native habitats of the young trees, and which 
 fully answers our expectations respecting it, forming a per- 
 fectly thick screen, and an excellent shelter on the north of 
 a range of buildings at all seasons of the year, growing 
 perfectly thick without trimming, from the very ground up- 
 wards. 
 
 The only fault of this tree as an evergreen, is the compara- 
 tively dingy green hue of its foliage in v/inter. But to com- 
 pensate for this, it is remarkably fresh looking in its spring 
 summer, and autumn tints, comparing well at those seasons 
 even with the bright verdure of deciduous trees. 
 
 The Arbor Yitae is very abundant in New-Brunswick, 
 Vermont, and Maine. In New- York, the shores of the Hud- 
 son, at Hampton landing, 70 miles above the city of New- 
 York, are lined on both sides with beautiful specimens of 
 this tree, many of them being perfect cones in outline ; and 
 it is here much more symmetrical and perfect in its growth 
 than we have seen it. Forty feet is about the maximum 
 altitude of the Arbor Vitee, and the stem rarely measures 
 more than ten or twelve inches in diameter. 
 
278 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 The wood is very light, soft, and fine-grained, but is re- 
 puted to be equally durable with the Red Cedar. It is con- 
 sequently employed for various purposes in building and 
 fencing, where, in the northern districts, it grows in suffi- 
 cient abundance, and of suitable size. 
 
 The Chinese Arbor Yitse, ( T. orientalis,) is a tree of much 
 smaller and more feeble growth. It cannot therefore as an 
 ornamental tree be put in competition with our native spe- 
 cies. But it is a beautiful evergreen for the garden and 
 shrubbery, where it finds a more suitable and sheltered site, 
 being rather tender north of New- York. 
 
 The White Cedar, {Thuja spheroidce*) which belongs 
 to the same genus as the Arbor Yitas is a much loftier tree, 
 often growing 80 feet high, It can hardly be considered a 
 tree capable of being introduced into cultivated situations, 
 as it is found only in thick swamps and wet grounds. The 
 foliage considerably resembles that of the common Arbor 
 Yitae, though rather narrower, and more delicate in texture. 
 The cones are small and rugged, and change from green to 
 a blue or brown tint in autumn. In the south it is often 
 called the Juniper. 
 
 The White Cedar furnishes excellent shingles, much more 
 durable than those made of either Pine or Cypress ; in Phi- 
 ladelphia the wood is much esteemed and greatly used in 
 cooperage. "Charcoal," according to Michaux, "highly 
 esteemed in the manufacture of gunpowder, is made of young 
 stocks, about an inch and a half in diameter, deprived of 
 their bark ; and the seasoned wood affords beautiful lamp- 
 black, lighter and more intensely coloured, than that obtained 
 from the Pine." 
 
 * Cupressus thuyoides of the old botanists. 
 
EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. 279 
 
 The American Holly Tree. Ilex. 
 Nat, Ord. Aquifoliacese. Lin. Syst. Dioecia, Tetrandria. 
 
 The European Holly is certainly one of the evergreen 
 glories of the English gardens. There, its deep green, glos- 
 sy foliage, and bright coral berries, which hang on for a 
 long time, are seen enlivening the pleasure-grounds and 
 shrubberies throughout the whole of that leafless and in- 
 active period in vegetation — winter. It is also, in our 
 mother tongue, inseparably cormected with the delightful 
 associations of merry Christmas gambols and feastings, when 
 both the churches and the dwelling-houses, are decorated 
 with its boughs. We have mueli to regret, therefore, in the 
 severity of our winters, which will not permit the European 
 Holly to flourish in the middle or eastern states, as a hardy 
 tree. South of Philadelphia, it may become acclimated ; 
 but it appears to suffer greatly farther north. 
 
 A beautiful succedanum, however, may, we believe, be 
 found in the American Holly, {Ilex opaca.) which indeed 
 very closely resembles the foreign species in almost every 
 particular. The leaves are waved or irregular in surface 
 and outline, though not so much so as those of the latter, 
 and their colour is a much lighter shade of green. Like 
 those of the foreign plant, they are armed on the edges with 
 thorny prickles, and the surface is brilliant and polished. 
 The American Holly is seen in the greatest perfection on the 
 eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia, and the lower part 
 of New- Jersey. There it thrives best upon loose, dry and 
 gravelly soils. Michaux says it is also common through all 
 the extreme southern states, and in West Tennessee, in 
 
280 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 which latter places it abounds on the margins of shady 
 swamps, where the soil is cool and fertile. In such spots it 
 often reaches forty feet in height, and twelve or fifteen 
 inches in diameter. 
 
 Although the growth of the Holly is slow, yet it is ahoays 
 beautiful ; and we regret that the American sort, which may 
 be easily brought into cultivation, is so very rarely seen in 
 our gardens or grounds. The seeds are easily procured ; 
 and if scalded and sowed in autumn, immediately after being 
 gathered, they vegetate freely. For hedges the Holly is 
 altogether unrivalled ; and it was also one of the favourite 
 plants for verdant sculpture, in the ancient style of garden- 
 ing. Evelyn, in the edition of his Sylva, published in 
 London in 1664, thus bursts out in eloquent praise of it : 
 '' Above all natural greens which enrich our home-born 
 store, there is none certainly to be compared to the Holly ; 
 insomuch that I have often wondered at our curiosity after 
 foreign plants and expensive difficulties, to the neglect of 
 the culture of this vulgar but incomparable tree, — whether 
 we will propagate it for use and defence, or for sight and 
 ornament. Is there under heaven a more glorious and re- 
 freshing object of the kind, than an impregnable hedge of 
 one hundred and sixty-five feet in length, seven high, and 
 five in diameter, which I cem show in my poor gardens, at 
 any time of the year, glittering with its armed aud varnished 
 leaves 1 The taller standards, at orderly distances, blushing 
 with their natural coral. It mocks the rudest assaults of 
 the weather, beasts, or hedge-breaker : — 
 
 ' Et ilium nemo impune lacessit.' " 
 
EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. 281 
 
 The Yew Tree. Taxus. 
 Nat, Ord. Taxaceae. Lin. Syst. Monoecia, Monadelphia. 
 
 The European Yew is a slow-growing, evergreen tree, 
 which often when full grown, measures forty feet in height, 
 and a third more in the diameter of its branches. The fo- 
 liage is flat, linear, and is placed in two rows, like that of the 
 Hemlock tree, though much darker in colour. The flowers 
 are brown or greenish, and inconspicuous, but they are suc- 
 ceeded by beautiful scarlet berries, about half or three-fourths 
 of an inch in diameter, which are open at the end, where a 
 small nut or seed is deposited. These berries have an ex- 
 quisitely delicate, waxen appearance, and contribute highly 
 to the beauty of the tree. 
 
 The growth of this tree, even in its native soil, is by no 
 means rapid. In twenty years, says Loudon, it will attain 
 the height of fifteen or eighteen feet, and it will continue 
 growing for one hundred years ; after which it becomes 
 comparatively stationary, but will live many centuries. 
 
 When young, the Yew is rather compact and bushy in its 
 form ; but as it grows old, the foliage spreads out in fine 
 horizontal masses, the outline of the tree is irregularly varied, 
 and the whole ultimately becomes highly venerable and pic- 
 turesque. When standing alone, it generally shoots out into 
 branches at some three or four feet above the surface of the 
 ground, and is ramified into a great number of close branches. 
 
 In England, it has been customary, since the earliest set- 
 tlement of that island by the Britons, to plant the Yew in 
 churchyards ; and it is therefore as decidedly consecrated to 
 this purpose there, as the Cypress is in the south of Europe. 
 
 36 
 
282 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 For the decoration of places of burial it is well adapted, from 
 the deep and perpetual verdure of its foliage, which, con- 
 jointly with its great longevity, may be considered as em- 
 
 [Fig. 37. The English Yew.] 
 
 blematical of immortality. The custom still exists, in a few 
 places in Ireland and Wales, of carrying twigs of this and 
 other evergreen trees in funerals, and throwing them into 
 the grave, with the corpse.* 
 
 . Yet strew 
 
 Upon my dismall grave 
 Such offerings as ye have, 
 Forsaken Cypresse and Yewe ; 
 For kinder flowers can have no birth 
 Or growth from such unhappy earth." 
 
 Stanly. 
 
 There is a mournful yet sweet and pensive pleasure, in 
 thus adorning these last places of repose with such beautiful, 
 unfading memorials of grief. They rob the graveyard or 
 cemetery of its horrors, and by their perpetual garlands of 
 
 * Encyclopaedia of Plants, 849. 
 
EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. 283 
 
 verdure and freshness, inevitably lead the mind from the 
 ideas of death which an ordinary barren churchyard alone 
 inspires, to reflections of a purer and loftier cast ; the im- 
 mortality which awaits the soul when disenthralled of clay. 
 Among the old English poets, we find much of these feel- 
 ings in favour of decorating the precincts of the grave, and 
 surrounding them with what may be called the 'poetry of 
 grief. Herrick, one of the sweetest of the number, in some 
 lines addressed to the Cypress and Yew, says : 
 
 " Bothe of ye have 
 Relation to the grave ; 
 And where 
 The funeral trump sounds, you are there. 
 I shall be made 
 Ere longe a fleeting shade ; 
 
 Pray come, 
 And do some honour to my tomb." 
 
 Some of the old Yews in the churchyards and gardens of 
 England have attained a wonderful period of longevity. 
 Gilpin mentions one in the churchyard of Tisbury in Dor- 
 setshire, now standing and in fine'foliage, though the trunk 
 is quite hollow, which measures thirty-seven feet in circum. 
 ference, and the limbs are proportionately large. The tree 
 is entered by a rustic gate ; and seventeen persons lately 
 breakfasted in its interior. It is said to have been planted 
 many generations ago by the Arundel family. The famous 
 Yew at Arkenwyke House, which Henry VIH. made his 
 place of meeting with Anna Boleyn when she was there, is 
 supposed to be upwards of a thousand years old ; it is forty- 
 nine feet high, twenty-seven in circumference, and the 
 branches extend over an area of two hundred and seven feet. 
 There are besides these, a great number of other celebrated 
 
284 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 Yews in England, of immense size and age, which are pre- 
 served with the greatest care and veneration. 
 
 It is a common saying of the inhabitants of the New For- 
 est in England, says Gilpin, that "a post of Yew will out- 
 last a post of iron." The wood is extremely durable, and 
 being hard and very fine-grained, as well as beautifully varie- 
 gated with reddish or orange veins, it is much prized for 
 inlaying, veneering, and other similar purposes, by the 
 cabinet-makers abroad. Tables made of it are said to be 
 more beautiful than those of mahogany ; and the wood of 
 the root to vie in beauty with that of the Citron. 
 
 It is also remarkably elastic, and is therefore much valued 
 for bows. In ancient times, when bows and arrows were 
 the chief weapons of destruction in war, the bows made of the 
 Yew tree were valued by the ancient Britons above all others. 
 According to the Arboretum Brittanicum, in Switzerland, 
 where this tree was scarce, it was formerly forbidden, under 
 heavy penalties, to cut down the Yew for any other purpose 
 than to make bows of the wood. The Swiss mountaineers 
 call it " William's tree," in memory of William Tell. 
 
 The Yew, like the Holly, makes an excellent evergreen 
 hedge — close, dark green, and beautiful when clad in the 
 rich scarlet berries. We desire, however, rather to see this 
 tree naturalized in our gardens and lawns as an evergreen 
 tree of the first class, than in any other form. . Judging from 
 specimens which we have growing in our own grounds, we 
 should consider it quite hardy any where south of the 41° of 
 latitude. And although it is somewhat slow in its growth 
 yet, like many other evergreens, it is as beautiful when a 
 small bush, or a thrifty young tree, as it is venerable and 
 picturesque, when ages, or even centuries have witnessed 
 its never fading verdure. It appears to grow most vigor- 
 
EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. 285 
 
 ously and thrive best on a rich and heavy soil, and in situ- 
 ations rather shaded than exposed to a burning sun. 
 
 There are several beautiful varieties of the Yew, ( Taxus 
 
 baccata,) cultivated in the nurseries ; the Irish Yew, ( T. b. 
 
 fastigiata,) remarkable for its dark green foliage, and very 
 
 handsome, upright growth, and the Yellow berried Yew, 
 
 (T. b. fructo-Jlava,) are the most ornamental. 
 
 The North American Yew, {T. canadensis,) is a low 
 trailing shrub, scarcely rising above the height of foiu or 
 six feet, though the branches extend to a considerable dis- 
 tance. In foliage, berries, etc., it so strongly resembles the 
 European plant, that many botanists consider it only a dwarf 
 variety. The leaves are nevertheless shorter and narrower, 
 and the male flowers always solitary. It is found in shady, 
 rocky places, in the Highlands, and various other localities 
 from Canada to Virginia. 
 
286 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 SECTION VI. 
 
 VINES AND CLIMBING PLANTS. 
 
 Value of this kind of Vegetation. Fine natural effects. The European Ivy. The Virginia 
 Creeper. The Wild Grape Vine. The Bittersweet. The Trumpet Creeper. The Pipe 
 Vine, and the Clematis. The Wistarias. The Honeysuckles and Woodbines. The Jas- 
 mine and the Periploca. Remarks on the proper mode of introducing vines. Beautiful 
 effects of climbing plants in connection with buildings. 
 
 Quite over-canopied with lush woodbine, 
 With sweet musk roses, and with eglantine. 
 
 ShaespeaHs. 
 
 I N E S and climbing plants are ob- 
 jects full of interest for the Landscape 
 Gardener, for they seem endowed with 
 the characteristics of the graceful, the 
 beautiful, and the picturesque in their 
 luxuriant and ever-varying forms. 
 When judiciously introduced, therefore, nothing can so easily 
 give a spirited or graceful air to a fine or even an ordinary 
 scene, as the various plants which compose this group of the 
 vegetable kingdom. We refer particularly now to those 
 which have woody and perennial stems, as all annual or 
 herbaceous stemmed plants are too short-lived to afford any 
 lasting or permanent addition to the beauty of the lawn or 
 pleasure-ground. 
 
 Climbing plants may be classed among the adventitious 
 beauties of trees. Who has not often witnessed with delight 
 in our native forests, the striking beauty of a noble tree, the 
 
VINES AND CLIMBING PLANTS. 287 
 
 old trunk and fantastic branches of which were enwreathed 
 with the kixuriant and pUant shoots, and rich foliage, of 
 some beautiful vine, clothing even its decayed limbs with 
 verdure ; and hanging down in gay festoons, or loose negli- 
 gent masses, waving to and fro in the air. The European 
 Ivy, {Hedera Helix,) is certainly one of the finest, if not the 
 very finest climbing plant, (or, more properly, creeping vine, 
 for by means of its little fibres or rootlets on the stems, it 
 will attach itself to trees, walks, or any other substance,) 
 with which we are acquainted. It possesses not only very 
 fine dark green palmated foliage, in great abundance ; but 
 the foliage has that agreeable property of being evergreen, — 
 which, while it enhances its value tenfold, is at the same 
 time so rare among vines. The yellow flowers of the Ivy 
 are great favourites with bees, from their honied sweetness ; 
 they open in autumn, and the berries ripen in the spring. 
 When planted at the root of a tree, it will often, if the head 
 is not too thickly clad with branches, ascend to the very 
 topmost limbs ; and its dark green foliage, wreathing itself 
 about the old and furrowed trmik, and hanging in careless 
 drapery from the lower branches, adds greatly to the ele- 
 gance of even the most admirable tree. Spenser describes 
 the appearance of the Ivy growing to the tops of the trees, 
 
 " Emongst the rest, the clamb'ring Ivie grew, 
 Knitting his wanton arms with grasping hold, 
 Lest that the poplar happely should rew 
 Her brother's strokes, whose boughs she doth enfold 
 With her lythe twigs, till they the top survew, 
 And paint with pallid green her buds of gold. 
 
 The fine contrasts between the dark colouring of the 
 leaves of the Ivy, and the vernal and autumnal tints of the 
 foliage of deciduous trees, are also highly pleasing. Indeed 
 
288 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 this fine climbing plant may be turned to advantage in ano- 
 ther way ; in reclothing dead trees with verdure. Sir T. 
 D. Lauder says, that " trees often die from causes which we 
 cannot divine, and there is no one who is master of exten- 
 sive woods, who does not meet with many such instances of 
 unexpected and unaccountable mortality. Of such dead 
 individuals we have often availed ourselves, and by planting . 
 Ivy at their roots, we have converted them into more beau- 
 tiful objects than they were when arrayed in their own 
 natural foliage." 
 
 The Ivy is not only beautiful upon trees, but it is also 
 remarkably well adapted to ornament cottages, and even 
 large mansions, when allowed to grow upon the walls, to 
 which it will attach itself so firmly by the little rootlets sent 
 out from the branches, that it is almost impossible to tear it 
 off. On wooden buildings, it may perhaps be injurious, by 
 causing them to decay ; but on stone buildings, it fastens 
 itself firmly, and holds both stone and mortar together like a 
 coat of cement. The thick garniture of foliage with which 
 it covers the surface, excludes stormy weather, and has 
 therefore a tendency to preserve the walls, rather than accele- 
 rate their decay. This vine is the inseparable accompani- 
 ment of the old feudal castles, and crumbling towers of 
 Europe, and borrows a great additional interest from the 
 romance and historical recollections connected with such 
 spots. Indeed half the beauty, picturesque, as well as 
 poetical, of those time-worn buildings, is conferred by this 
 plant, which seeks to bind together and adorn with some- 
 thing of their former richness, the crumbling fragments that 
 are fast tottering to decay : — 
 
 " The Ivy, that staunchest and firmest friend, 
 That hastens its succouring arm to lend 
 
VINES AND CLIMBING PLANTS. 289 
 
 To the ruined fane where in youth it sprung, 
 And its pliant tendrils in sport were flung. 
 When the sinking buttress, and mouldering tower 
 Seem only the spectres of former power 
 Then the Ivy clusters round the wall, 
 And for tapestry hangs in the moss-grown hall. 
 Striving in beauty and youth to dress 
 The desolate place in its loneliness." 
 
 Romance of Nature. 
 
 The Ivy lives to a great age, if we may judge from the 
 specimens that overrun some of the oldest edifices of Europe, 
 which are said to have been covered with it for centuries, 
 and where the main stems are seen nearly as large as the 
 trunk of a middle sized tree. 
 
 " Whole ages have fled, and their works decayed, 
 And nations have scattered been ; 
 But the stout old Ivy shall never fade 
 From its hale and hearty green ; 
 The brave old plant in its lonely days, 
 Shall fatten upon the past ; 
 For the stateliest building man can raise, 
 Is the Ivy's food at last." 
 
 The Ivy is not a native of America ; nor is it by any 
 means a very common plant in our gardens, though we 
 know of no apology for the apparent neglect of so beautiful 
 a climber. It is hardy south of the latitude of 42°, and we 
 have seen it thriving in great luxuriance as far north as 
 Hyde Park, on the Hudson, SO miles above New- York. 
 One of the most beautiful growths of this plant, which has 
 ever met our eyes, is that upon the old mansion in the Bo- 
 tanic Garden at Philadelphia, built by the elder Bartram. 
 That picturesque and quaint stone building is beautifully 
 overrun by the most superb mantle of Ivy, that no one who 
 has once seen can fail to remember with admiration. The 
 
 37 
 
290 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 dark gray of the stone-work is finely opposed by the rich 
 verdure of the plant, which falls away in openings here and 
 there, around the windows, and elsewhere. It never thrives 
 well if suffered to ramble along the ground, but needs the 
 support of a tree, a frame, or a wall, to which it attaches 
 itself firmly, and grows with vigorous shoots. Bare walls 
 or fences may thus be clothed with verdure and beauty 
 equal to the living hedge, in a very short period of time, by 
 planting young Ivy roots at the base. 
 
 The most desirable varieties of the common Ivy are, the 
 Irish Ivy, with much larger foliage than the common sort, 
 and more rapid in its growth ; the Silver-striped, and the 
 Gold-striped leaved Ivy, both of which, though less vigor- 
 ous, are much admired for the singular colour of their 
 leaves. The common English Ivy is more hardy than the 
 others in our climate. 
 
 Although, as we have said, the Ivy is not a native of this 
 country, yet we have an indigenous vine, which, at least in 
 summer, is not inferior to it. We refer to the Virginia 
 Creeper, {Ampelopsis hederacea,) which is often called 
 the American Ivy. The leaves are as large as the hand, 
 deeply divided into five lobes, and the blossoms are suc- 
 ceeded by handsome, dark blue berries. The Virginia 
 Creeper is a most luxuriant grower, and we have seen it 
 climbing to the extremities of trees 70 or 80 feet in height. 
 Like the Ivy, it attaches itself to whatever it can lay hold 
 of, by the little rootlets which spring out of the branches ; 
 and its foliage, when it clothes thickly a high wall, or folds 
 itself in clustering wreaths around the trunk and branches 
 of an open tree, is extremely handsome and showy. Al- 
 though the leaves are not evergreen like those of the Ivy, 
 yet in autunm they far surpass those of that plant in the 
 
VINES AND CLIMBING PLANTS. 291 
 
 rich and gorgeous colouring which they then assume. 
 Numberless trees may be seen in the country by the road- 
 side, and in the woods, thus decked in autumn in the bor- 
 rowed glories of the Virginia Creeper ; but we particularly 
 remember two, as being remarkably striking objects ; one, 
 a wide-spread elm — the trunk and graceful diverging 
 branches completely clad in scarlet by this beautiful vine, 
 with which its own leaves harmonized well in their fine 
 deep yellow dress ; the other, a tall and dense Cedar, 
 through whose dark green boughs gleamed the rich colour- 
 ing of the Virginia Creeper, like a half-concealed, though 
 glowmg fire. 
 
 In the American forests nothing adds more to the beauty 
 of an occasional tree, than the tall canopy of verdure with 
 which it is often crowned by the wild Grape vine. There 
 its tall stems wind themselves about until they reach the 
 very summit of the tree, where they cluster it over, and 
 bask their broad bright green foliage in the sunbeams. As 
 if not content with this, they often completely overhang the 
 head of the tree, falling like ample drapery around on every 
 side, until they sweep the ground. We have seen very 
 beautiful eifects produced in this way by the grape in its 
 wild state, and it may easily be imitated. The delicious 
 fragrance of these wild grape vines when in blossom, is 
 unsurpassed in delicacy ; and we can compare it to nothing 
 but the delightful perfume which exhales from a huge bed 
 of Mignonette in full bloom. The Bittersweet, {Celastrus 
 scandens,) is another well known climber, which ornaments 
 our wild trees. Its foliage is very bright and shining, and 
 the orange-coloured seed-vessels which burst open, and dis- 
 play the crimson seeds in winter, are quite ornamental. It 
 winds itself very closely around the stem, however, and we 
 
292 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 have known it to strangle or compress the bodies of young 
 trees so tightly as to put an end to their growth. 
 
 The Trumpet Creeper, {Bignonia radicans,) is a very 
 showy climbing plant. The stem is quite woody, and often 
 attains considerable size ; the branches like those of the Ivy, 
 and Virginia Creeper, fasten themselves by the roots thrown 
 out. The leaves are pinnated, and the flowers, which are 
 borne in terminal clusters on the ends of the young shoots 
 about midsummer, are exceedingly showy. They are tubes 
 five or six inches long, shaped like a trumpet, opening at the 
 extremity, of a fine scarlet colour on the outside, and orange 
 within. The Trumpet Creeper is a native of Virginia, Ca- 
 rolina, and the states farther south, where it climbs up the 
 loftiest trees. It is a great favourite in the northern states as 
 a climbing plant, and very beautiful efiects are sometimes 
 produced by planting it at the foot of a tall-stemmed tree, 
 which it will completely surround with a pillar of verdure, 
 and render very ornamental by its little shoots, studded with 
 noble blossoms. 
 
 One of the most singular and picturesque climbing shrubs 
 or plants which we cultivate, is the Pipe- vine, or Birth wort, 
 {Aristolochia sipho.) It is a native of the Alleghany moun. 
 tains, and is one of the tallest of twining plants growing on 
 the trees there to the height of 90 or 100 feet, though in 
 gardens it is often kept down to a frame of four or five feet 
 high. The leaves are of a noble size, being eight or nine 
 inches broad, and heart-shaped in outline. The flowers, 
 about an inch or a little more in length, are very singular. 
 They are dark yellow, spotted with brown, in shape like a 
 bent siphon-like tube, which opens at the extremity, the whole 
 flower resembling, as close as possible, a very small Dutch- 
 man's pipe, whence the vine is frequently so called by the 
 
VINES AND CLIMBING PLANTS. 293 
 
 country people. It flowers in the beginning of summer, and 
 the foliage, during the whole growing season, has a very rich 
 and luxuriant appearance. Aristolochia tomentosa is a 
 smaller species, with leaves and flowers of less size, the for- 
 mer downy or hairy on the under surface. 
 
 The various kinds of Clematis, though generally kept 
 within the precincts of the garden, are capable of adding to 
 the interest of the pleasure ground, when they are planted 
 so as to support themselves on the branches of trees. The 
 common White Clematis or Virgin's Bower, (C virginica,\ 
 is one of the strongest growing kinds, often embellishing 
 with its pale white blossoms, the whole interior and even the 
 very tops of our forest trees in the middle states. After these 
 have fallen, they are succeeded by large tufts of brown, 
 hairy-like plumes, appendages to the clusters of seeds, which 
 give the whole a very unique and interesting look. The 
 Wild Airagene, with large purple flowers, which blossom 
 early, has much the same habit as the Clematis, to which 
 indeed, it is nearly related. Among the finest foreign species 
 of this genus are, the Single and Double-flowered purple 
 Clematis, (C viticella audits varieties,) which though slen- 
 der in their stems, run to considerable height, are very pretty, 
 and blossom profusely. The sweet scented, and the Japan 
 Clematis, {C. jiamTnula and C. Jlorida,) the former very 
 fragrant, and the latter beautiful, are perhaps too tender, ex- 
 cept for the garden, where they are highly prized. 
 
 The Glycine or Wistaria, ( Wistaria pubescetis,) is a very 
 handsome climbing plant, and adds much to the beauty of 
 trees, when trained so as to hang from their lower branches. 
 The leaves are pinnate, and the light purple flowers, which 
 bloom in loose clusters like those of the Locust, are univer- 
 sally admired. The Chinese Wistaria, ( W. sinensis,) is a 
 
294 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 very elegant species of this plant, which appears to be quite 
 hardy here ; and when loaded with its numerous large 
 clusters of pendant blossoms, is highly ornamental. It grows 
 rapidly, and with but little care, will mount to a great height. 
 These vines with pinnated foliage, would be remarkably 
 appropriate when climbing up, and hanging from the 
 branches of such light airy trees as the Three-thorned 
 Acacia, the Locust, etc. 
 
 We must not forget to enumerate here the charming family 
 of the Honeysuckles ; some of them are natives of the old 
 world, some of our own continent ; and all of them are com- 
 mon in our gardens, where they are universally prized for 
 their beauty and frcigrance. In their native localities they 
 grow upon trees, and trail along the rocks. The species 
 which ascends to the greatest height, is the common Euro- 
 pean Woodbine,* which twines around the stems, and hangs 
 from the ends of the longest branches of trees : 
 
 "As Woodbine weds the plant within her reach, 
 Rough Elm, or smooth-grained Ash, or glossy Beech, 
 In spiral rings asceads the trunk, and lays 
 Her golden tassels on the leafy sprays." 
 
 COWPKII. 
 
 The Woodbine, {Lonicera peryclemenum,) has separate 
 opposite leaves, and buff-coloured or paler yellow and red 
 blossoms. There is a variety, the common monthly Wood- 
 bine, which produces its flowers all simimer, and is much 
 the most valuable plant. Another, {L. p. belgicum,) the 
 Dutch Honeysuckle, blossoms quite early in spring ; and a 
 third, {L. p. quercifolium,) has leaves shaped like those of 
 the oak tree. 
 
 * Woodbind is the original name, derived from the habit of the plant of winding 
 itself around trees, and binding the branches together. 
 
VINES AND CLIMBING PLANTS. 295 
 
 The finest of our native sorts are the Red and Yellow 
 trumpet Honeysuckles, {L. sempervirens and L. Jlava,) 
 which have the terminal leaves on each branch, joined to- 
 gether at the base, or perfoliate, making a single leaf. They 
 blossom in the greatest profusion during the whole summer 
 and autumn, and their rich blossom-tubes, sprinkled in nu- 
 merous clusters over the exterior of the foliage, as well as an 
 abundance of scarlet berries in autumn, entitle them to high 
 regard. There is also a very strong and vigorous species, 
 called the Orange pubescent Honeysuckle, {L. puhescens^) 
 with large, hairy, ciliate leaves, and fine large tawny or 
 orange-coloured fiowers. It is a very luxuriant plant in its 
 habit, and a very distinct species to the eye. All these na- 
 tive sorts have but very slight fragrance. 
 
 The Chinese twining Honeysuckle, {L. flexuosa,) is cer- 
 tainly one of the finest of the genus. In the form of the leaf 
 it much resembles the common Woodbine ; but the foliage 
 is much darker coloured, and is also sub-evergreen, hanging 
 on half the winter, and in sheltered spots, even till spring. It 
 blossoms when the plant is old, several times during the 
 summer, bearing an abundance of beautiful flowers, open at 
 the mouth, red outside, and striped with red, white, or yel- 
 low within. It grows remarkably fast, climbing to the very 
 summit of trees in a short time ; and the flowers, which first 
 appear in June, are deliciously fragrant. In all its varieties 
 the Honeysuckle is a charming plant, either to adorn the 
 porch of the cottage, the latticed bower of the garden, to both 
 of which spots they are especially dedicated ; or to climb the 
 stems of the old forest tree, where — 
 
 " With clasping tendrils it infests the branch 
 Else unadorn'd with many a gay festoon, 
 And fragrant chaplet ; recompensing well 
 The strength it borrows with the grace it lends." 
 
296 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 There it diffuses through the air a dehcious breath, that 
 renders a walk beneath the shade of the tall trees doubly de- 
 lightful, Avhile its flowers give a gayety and brightness to 
 the park, which forest trees, producing usually but incon- 
 spicuous blossoms, could not alone produce. 
 
 Some of the climbing Roses, are very lovely objects in the 
 pleasure-grounds. Many of them, at the north, as the 
 Multifloras, Noisettes, etc., require some covering in the win- 
 ter, and are therefore better fitted for the garden. At the 
 south, where they are quite hardy, they are, however, most 
 luxuriant and splendid objects. But there are two classes of 
 Roses that are perfectly hardy climbers, and may therefore 
 be employed with great advantage by the Landscape Gar- 
 dener — the Michigan, and the Boursalt roses. The single 
 Michigan is a most compact and vigorous grower, and often, 
 in its wild haunts in the west, clambers over the tops of tall 
 forest trees, and decks them with its abundant clusters of pale 
 purple flowers. There are now in our gardens several 
 beautiful double varieties of this, and among them, one, 
 called Beauty of the Prairies, is most admired for its large 
 rich buds and blossoms of a deep rose colour. 
 
 The Boursalt roses are remarkable for their profusion of 
 flowers, and for their shining, reddish stems, with few 
 thorns. The common Purple or Crimson Boursalt, is quite 
 a wonder of beauty in the latter part of May, when trained 
 on the wall of a cottage, being then literally covered with 
 blossoms — and it is so hardy that scarcely a branch is ever 
 injured by the cold of winter. The Blush, and the Elegans 
 and still richer and finer varieties of this class of roses, all 
 of which are well worthy of attention. 
 
 We have to regret that the inclemency of our winters will 
 not permit us to cultivate the White European Jasmine, 
 
VINES AND CLIMBING PLANTS. 297 
 
 [Jasminutn officinale^) out of the garden, as even there it 
 requires a sHght protection in winter. Below the latitude 
 of Philadelphia, however, it will probably succeed well. In 
 the southern states they have a most lovely plant, the Caro- 
 lina Jasmine, {Gelseminum,) which hangs its beautiful 
 yellow flowers on the very tree tops, and the woods there in 
 spring are redolent with their perfume. 
 
 The connoisseur in vines will not forget the curious Pe- 
 riploca, which grows very rapidly to the height of 40 or 50 
 feet, and bears numerous bunches of very curious brown or 
 purple flowers in summer ; or the Double-blossoming 
 Brambles, both pink and white, which often make shoots 
 of 20 or 30 feet long in a season, and bear pretty clusters of 
 full double flowers in Jmie. All these fine climbers, and 
 several others to be fomid in the catalogues, may, in the 
 hands of a person of taste, be made to contribute in a won- 
 derful degree to the variety, elegance, and beauty of a country 
 residence ; and to neglect to mtroduce them would be to 
 refuse the aid of some of the most beautiful accessories that 
 are capable of being combined with trees, as well as with 
 buildings, gardens, and fences. 
 
 Some persons object to the growth of climbing plants upon 
 trees, that, by compressing the stems and tightening them- 
 selves around the limbs of trees, they gradually check their 
 growth, and finally by preventing the expansion of the 
 trunk, put an end to the life of the tree. This, we have no 
 doubt, has been the case when young- trees in the full vigour 
 of growth have been completely encompassed and wound 
 about with the strong growing woody creepers ; but it so 
 rarely happens, (scarcely ever in the case of middle-sized 
 trees, on which vines are more generally planted,) that we 
 consider the objection of no moment. Indeed, were all this 
 
 38 
 
298 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 ti'ue, the management of the growth of any vine, however 
 hixuriant, is so completely within the power of the cultivator, 
 that by a very trifling annual attention, he can entirely pre- 
 vent the possibility of any such injurious effects. 
 
 The reader must not imagine, from the remarks which we 
 have here made on the beauty and charms of climbing plants, 
 that we would desire to see every tree, in an extensive 
 park, wreathed about, and overhung, with fantastic vines and 
 creepers. Such is by no means our intention. We should 
 consider such a proceeding as something in the worst possi- 
 ble taste. There are some trees whose rugged and ungrace- 
 ful forms would refuse all such accompaniment ; and others 
 from whose dignity and majesty it would be improper to de- 
 tract, even by adding the gracefulness of the loveliest vine. 
 Such, too, is never the case in nature, as, for one tree 
 decked in this manner we see a hundred which are not, and 
 the very rarity of the example imparts additional beauty and 
 interest to it when it appears. This should be the case in 
 all artificial plantations ; and he who has a true and lively 
 feeling for the graceful and picturesque, will easily under- 
 stand at a glance where these expressions will be strength- 
 ened or weakened by the addition of more grace and ele- 
 gance. A few scattered trees here and there, with whose 
 forms the plans adopted harmonize, draped and festooned 
 with the most appropriate climbing plants, will be all that 
 can be properly introduced in any scene, unless it be of a 
 very artificial character ; but even these additional acces- 
 sories, simple as they may seem, often produce an effect 
 singularly beautiful, which shows how much in real land- 
 scape, as well as in painting, depends upon a few finishing 
 touches to the scene. 
 
 Although we are not now writing of buildings, it is not 
 
VINES AND CLIMBING PLANTS. 299 
 
 inappropriate here to remark how much may be done in the 
 country, and indeed even in town, by using vines and 
 creepers to decorate buildings. The cottage in this coun- 
 try, too rarely conveys the idea of comfort and happiness 
 which we wish to attach to such a habitation, and chiefly 
 because so often it stands bleak, solitary, and exposed to every 
 ray of our summer sun, with a scanty robe of foliage to 
 shelter it. How different such edifices, however humble, 
 become when the porch is overhung with climbing plants, — 
 when the blushing rose-buds peep in at the window sill, or 
 the ripe purple clusters of the grape hang down about the 
 eaves, those who have seen the better cottages of England, 
 well know. Very little care and very trifling expense, will 
 procure all the additional beauty ; and it is truly wonderful 
 how much so little once done, adds to the happiness of the 
 inmates. Every man feels prouder of his home, when it is 
 a pleasant spot for the eye to rest upon, than when it is situ- 
 ated in a desert, or overgrown with weeds. Besides this, 
 tasteful embellishment has a tendency to refine the feelings 
 of every member of the family; and every leisure hour 
 spent in rendering more lovely and agreeable even the hum- 
 blest cottage, is infinitely better employed than in lounging 
 about in idle and useless dissipation. 
 
300 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 SECTION VII. 
 
 TREATMENT OF GROUND. — FORMATION OF WALKS. 
 
 Nature of ojierations on Ground. Treatment of flowing and irregular surfaces to heighten 
 their expression ; flats, or level surfaces. Rocks, as materials in Landscape. Laying out 
 Roads and Walks; Directions for the Approach: Rules by Repton. Tho Drive, and 
 minor walks. The introduction of fences and verdant hedges. 
 
 " Strength may wield the ponderous spade, 
 
 May turn the clod and wheel the compost home ; 
 But elegance, chief grace the garden shows, 
 And most attractive, is the fair result 
 Of thought, the creature of a polished mind." 
 
 COWPER. 
 
 ROUND is undoubtedly the most unwieldy 
 and ponderous material that comes under the 
 care of the Landscape Gardener. It is not 
 only difficult to remove, the operations of the 
 leveller rarely extending below two or three feet of the sur- 
 face, but the effect produced by a given quantity of labour 
 expended upon it, is generally much less than when the 
 same has been bestowed in the formation of plantations, or 
 the erection of buildings. The achievements of art upon 
 ground, appear so trifling too, when we behold the apparent 
 facility with which nature has arranged it in such a variety 
 of forms, that the former sink into insignificance when com- 
 pared with the latter. 
 
 For these reasons, the operations to be performed upon 
 ground in this country, will generally be limited to the 
 
TREATMENT OF GROUND. — FORMATION OF WALKS. 301 
 
 neighbourhood of the house, or the scenery directly under 
 the eye. Here, by judicious levelling and smoothing in 
 some cases, or by raising gentle eminences with interposing 
 hollows in others, much may be done, at a moderate expense, 
 to improve the beauty of the surrounding landscape. 
 
 It is, however, fortunately the case, that in the modern 
 style of landscape improvement, extensive and costly opera- 
 tions upon ground are very seldom needed. By the aid of 
 plantations arranged as we have already suggested, much 
 may be done to soften too great inequality of surface, as 
 well as to heighten the apparent magnitude of gentle undu- 
 lations. The art of the improver, when employed upon this 
 material, will therefore be directed to the production of neg- 
 ative, rather than positive effects, — to the removal of exist- 
 ing faults or blemishes, rather than to the creation of an 
 entirely new and artificial surface. 
 
 To pursue this method with success, it is necessary that 
 he should refer constantly to the principle which we suggested 
 in the commencement of our remarks : the preservation 
 of the natural character of the scene, or, we may here add, 
 the heightening of the character intended for the form of 
 the surface. We have already remarked that scenes abound- 
 ing in natural beauty were chiefly characterized by gentle 
 undulations of surface, and smooth easy transitions from the 
 level plain to the softly swelling hill or flowing hollow ; and 
 that, on the contrary, highly pictiuresque scenes exhibited a 
 more irregular and broken surface, abounding with abrupt 
 transitions, and more strongly marked elevations, and depres- 
 sions. 
 
 hi a scene expressive of simple or graceful beauty, 
 where the surface is more or less undulating, the first pro- 
 ceeding of the improver will be to remove any accidental or 
 
302 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 natural deformity which may interfere with that expression. 
 Such are, unsightly ridges of earth, small lumpish hills, the 
 ragged elevations where old fences have been removed, or 
 deep furrows created by the former action of the plough. If 
 there are any uncouth pits or ugly hollows, such must be 
 either filled up, or concealed by plantations, and all excres- 
 cences that interfere with the prevailing expression of the 
 whole should be removed. 
 
 In the next place, the improver will examine the formation 
 of the ground, as it appears naturally. If too rugged, — the 
 sweeps and undulations sometimes easy and beautiful, but at 
 others hard and disconnected, — he will endeavour to soften 
 and remove this inequality. This will be easily executed, if 
 some of the eminences are broken into too high, sudden, 
 and abrupt hills, by carefully lowering them into more 
 graceful elevations, and placing the superfluous earth in the 
 adjacent hollows : proper regard being paid to portions of 
 the scene, already pleasing, by producing such a surface as 
 will connect itself naturally with the same, when the im- 
 provements shall be entirely completed. 
 
 Should the surface, on the contrary, be somewhat broken 
 or undulating, but not distinctly so, appearing rather heavy 
 and undecided between a level, and finely varied ground, the 
 operations must be directed in such a manner as to increase 
 the boldness of the whole. The ground of a country resi- 
 dence is often brought into such a state by the continued ac- 
 tion of the plough at some former period, which has gradu- 
 ally levelled down the gentle eminences and filled up the 
 hollows, till in some places, it appears scarcely struggling out 
 of a level. The course is then obvious ; the superfluous earth 
 which chokes up the valleys, must be removed again to the 
 neighbouring hills, where it belongs, when the natural 
 
TREATMENT OF GROUND. — FORMATION OF WALKS. 303 
 
 beauty of the ground will be restored. This is effected with 
 comparative facility, as every foot of surface taken from the 
 depression, adds by removal two feet to the height of the 
 adjoining elevation. 
 
 The improvement of picturesque surfaces must proceed 
 in a similar manner. When a surface is naturally and truly 
 picturesque, art will add little or nothing to its effect. It 
 will rather therefore endeavour to produce a perfect whole, 
 and a connection between the various parts, than to disturb 
 the existing features. In the vicinity of the house, the artist 
 will soften down that boldness and inequality which, if too 
 great, might interfere both with convenience and the beauty 
 of utility^ which must there be constantly kept in view. 
 Otherwise, the beauty of picturesque surfaces may be often 
 heightened by various means within our reach ; such as in- 
 creasing the abruptness of surface by taking away a few feet 
 of earth, or by adding other picturesque irregularities, which 
 by connection may strengthen the expression of the whole. 
 
 Mr. Price has remarked, that " the ugliest ground is that 
 which has neither the beauty of smoothness, verdure, and 
 gentle undulation, nor the picturesqueness of bold and sud- 
 den breaks, and varied tints of soil : of such kind, is ground 
 that has been disturbed and left in that unfinished state : as 
 in a rough ploughed field run to sward."* Such ground it 
 is often difficult to restore to a picturesque state, even when 
 that was its previous expression. But it is not impossible to 
 do so, for it must be remembered that it is not by forming 
 the surface alone that nature renders it picturesque, but also 
 by the accessories and accompaniments which she liberally 
 bestows upon the surface when once formed. These are, 
 
 * Essay on the Picturesque, I. 193. 
 
304 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 vegetation, trees, rocks, etc., which, with the influence of 
 time, will often render many a scene, that, stripped of its 
 enriching drapery would be positively harsh and ugly, 
 extremely picturesque, or strikingly beautiful. Proofs of 
 this will occur to every one who will contrast in his mind 
 the appearance of a steep clayey river bank, or even open 
 pit, when bare, raw, and verdureless, and the same objects 
 when nature or art has clothed them with a luxuriant and 
 diversified garniture of trees, shrubs, and plants. In the 
 former case, all was positively ugly and displeasing to the 
 eye of taste ; in the latter, all is picturesque and harmo- 
 nious. 
 
 A perfect flat, or level surface is often the most difficult 
 to improve of any description of ground. In some cases, as 
 in the example of a very large park, with an immense 
 building, a level surface may be in excellent keeping, giv- 
 ing an air of grandeur to the whole scene : for both the 
 simplicity, and the wide extent of a level plain in such a 
 situation, would be highly expressive of grandeur when 
 united to a fine pile of building. But ordinarily, a flat sur- 
 face is extremely dull and uninteresting. One unbroken 
 plain of green is spread before the eye, varied by none of 
 those changing lights and shadows that belong to a finely 
 undulating lawn. It is true that this affects the mind dif- 
 ferently in certain situations, as a broad plain is a delightful 
 contrast and source of repose in a mountainous country. 
 But we here speak of the greater part of the surface of the 
 United States, where country seats are located, and where it 
 will be found, that a diversified surface is greatly to be 
 preferred to a dead level. 
 
 Where such a level exists, in some situations, it is almost 
 impossible to improve it much. When, for illustration, the 
 
TREATMENT OF GROUND. — FORMATION OP WALKS. 305 
 
 whole surrounding country is equally tame and flat, the 
 creation by artificial means, of undulations, hills, or hollows 
 in a park, would be in such evident contradiction to the 
 natural formation, that the eye would at once detect it as a 
 deception, harmonizing badly with general nature. The 
 best that can be done in such cases, is perhaps, to produce 
 the greatest possible beauty, by plantations and buildings, 
 and not to attempt any alterations of surface, which would 
 be insignificant and absurd. 
 
 When, however, this is not the case, but the grounds 
 themselves, though nearly level, are surrounded by more 
 bold and spirited variations of surface, a great deal may be 
 effected. In those portions of the grounds nearest the sur- 
 rounding inequalities, the latter may be apparently carried 
 into the former, and the artificial sweeps, breaks, or midula- 
 tions in the park may be so connected with each other, and 
 with the neighbouring irregularities, as to produce the effect 
 of accordant art joined to the charm of natural expression. 
 
 The error into which inexperienced improvers are con- 
 stantly liable to fall, is a want of breadth and extent in their 
 designs ; which latter, when executed, are so feeble as to be 
 full of littlenesses^ out of keeping with the magnitude of the 
 surromiding scene. Their designs, like the sketches of a 
 novice in drawing, are cramped and meagre. This is ex- 
 emplified in gromid, by their producing, instead of easy 
 undulations, nothing but a succession of short sweeps and 
 hillocks, like waves in the ocean. Now the most beautiful 
 variation in ground is undoubtedly that of gradually vary- 
 ing lines and insensible transitions of surface, and these 
 should correspond in magnitude and breadth to the size and 
 style of the place. Such surfaces are full of the flowing 
 lines, and rounded smoothnesses, which Burke considers 
 39 
 
306 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 characteristic of beauty, or the long undulations exhibit the 
 outlines of Hogarth's favourite line of grace. 
 
 In places of large extent there may be scenes in different 
 portions of the park, of totally different character ; one sim- 
 ply beautiful, abounding with graceful and flowing lines, 
 and another highly picturesque, and full of spirited breaks 
 and variations ; such often form very pleasing and striking 
 contrasts to each other, and should therefore, by all means, 
 be preserved : but they should also be rendered distinct by 
 their own surrounding plantations, else much of tiieir effect 
 as a whole, when separately considered, will be lost upon 
 the spectator. For it should be remembered the mind is 
 incapable of appreciating, or doing justice, to two distinct 
 and dissimilar expressions at the same time. Whatever be 
 the scene to be improved, therefore, it should be taken by 
 itself and considered as a whole, if the eye command that 
 scene alone. Then the improver can proceed on the prin- 
 ciple that every piece of ground is distinguished by certain 
 properties : it is either tame or bold, graceful or rude, con- 
 tinued or broken ; and if any variety inconsistent with these 
 expressions be obtruded, it has no other effect than to 
 weaken one idea without raising another. " The insipi- 
 dity of a fiat is not taken away by a few scattered hillocks ; 
 a continuation of uneven ground can alone give the idea of 
 irregularity, A large, deep, abrupt break, among easy- 
 swells and falls, seems at best but a piece left unfinished, 
 and which ought to have been softened ; it is not more 
 natural because it is more rude. On the other hand, a fine 
 small polished form, in the midst of rough, mis-shapen 
 ground, though more elegant than" all about it, is generally 
 no better than a patch, itself disgraced and disfiguring the 
 scene. A thousand instances might be added to show that 
 
g'REATMENT OF GROUND. — FORMATION OF WALKS. 307 
 
 the prevailing idea ought to pervade every part, so far at 
 least indispensably, as to exclude whatever distracts it, and 
 as much further as possible to accommodate the character 
 of the ground to that of the scene to which it belongs."* 
 
 Rocks, either in detached fragments or large masses, 
 enter into the composition of many scenes, and sometimes 
 have an excellent effect. Indeed much of the spirit of pic- 
 turesque scenery, is often owing to the bold projections 
 made by rocks in various forms. An overhanging cliff, or 
 steep precipice, a moss covered rocky bank, or even a group 
 of rocks on a ledge, from which springs a tuft of trees and 
 shrubs — all these give strength to a picturesque scene. 
 Their effect may often be rendered more striking by art ; 
 sometimes by removing the earth or loose stones from the 
 bottom of the precipice, so as greatly to increase its apparent 
 height — for the perpendicular position is the finest in which 
 rocks can be viewed. At other times, the effect of a con- 
 tinuous range of rocks may be much improved, by planting 
 the summit, and making occasional breaks of verdure in 
 the front surface. 
 
 Rocks which are too apparent, and which cannot be re- 
 moved, may be concealed with trees and vegetation, or par- 
 tially covered with vines and creepers. The latter often 
 have a beautiful effect in picturesque scenery, and we have 
 seen very charming pictures formed of over-arching cliffs 
 and groups of rock, upon which hung and rambled in 
 luxuriant profusion, a rich mixture of climbing plants. 
 
 * fllr. Whately has given such minute and excellent details in relation to this 
 subject, in his ObservatioTis on Modern Gardening, that we gladly refer the reader 
 who desires to pursue this subject farther, to that work : which indeed is so un- 
 ex«eptionable in style and good taste, that Alison has frequently quoted it in 
 illustration of his admirable Essay on Taste. 
 
308 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 Where rocks thus accidentally occur iii beautiful scenes, to 
 which they if left bare would be inimical, they may be 
 wonderfully softened and brought into keeping by a cover- 
 ing of the honeysuckle, the Ivy, the Virginia creeper, and 
 other species of the gayest and most luxuriant flowering 
 vines. 
 
 Loose and detached fragments of rocks can never be 
 permitted to lie scattered about the lawn, in any style. In 
 a scene expressive of graceful beauty, of course they would 
 be entirely out of place : and in a picturesque scene, they 
 should only be suffered to remain in spots where they have 
 some evident connection with larger masses. If they were 
 allowed to lie loosely around, they would only give an air 
 of confused wildness, opposed to every thing like the ele- 
 gance of tasteful art or the comfort of a country residence ; 
 but if only seen in particular spots where they evidently 
 belong, they will, by contrast, give force and spirit to the 
 whole. We do not now speak of large rounded boulders 
 or smooth stones, such as are seen lying about the soil in 
 some of our valley tracts ; as such are void of interest, and, 
 unless they are large, or in some degree remarkable, they 
 ought to be at once removed out of the way. Characteristic 
 and picturesque rocks, are those with firm, rugged, and dis- 
 tinct outlines, externally covered with a coating of weather 
 stains, dark lichens, or mosses, and which meet the eye 
 with a mellow and softened tone of colour. 
 
 Roads and walks are so directly connected with opera- 
 tions on the surface of the ground, and with the disposition 
 of plantations, which we have already made familiar to the 
 reader, that we shall introduce in this place a few remarks 
 relative to their direction and formation. A French writer 
 has remarked of them that they are " les rubans qui attachent 
 
:he Eavine Walk at Blithewcod 
 
TREATMENT OF GROUND. — FORMATION OF WALKS. 309 
 
 le bouquet," and they certainly serve as the connecting me- 
 dium between the different parts of the estate, as well as the 
 means of displaying its various beauties, peculiarities, and 
 finest points of prospect. 
 
 The Ajyproach is by far the most important of these 
 routes. It is the private road, leading from the public high- 
 way, directly to the house itself. It should therefore bear 
 a proportionate breadth and size, and exhibit marks of good 
 keeping, in accordance with the dignity of the mansion. 
 
 In the ancient style of gardening, the Approach was so 
 formed as to enter directly in front of the house, affording 
 a full view of that portion of the edifice, and no other. A 
 line drawn as directly as possible, and evenly bordered on 
 each side with a tall avenue of trees, was the whole expen- 
 diture of art necessary in its formation. It is true, the sim- 
 plicity of design was often more than counterbalanced by 
 the difiiculty of levelling, grading, and altering the surface, 
 necessary to please the geometric eye ; but the rules were 
 as plain and unchangeable, as the lines were parallel and 
 undeviating. 
 
 In the present more advanced state of Landscape Garden- 
 ing, the formation of the Approach has become equally a 
 matter of artistical skill with other details of the art. The 
 house is generally so approached, that the eye shall first 
 meet it in an angular direction, displaying not only the 
 beauty of the architectural fagade, but also one of the end 
 elevations, thus giving a more complete idea of the size, 
 character, or elegance of the building : and instead of lead- 
 ing in a direct line, from the gate to the house, it curves in 
 easy lines through certain portions of the park or lawn, 
 until it reaches that object. 
 
 If the point where the Approach is to start from the high- 
 
310 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 way, be not already determined past alteration, it should be 
 so chosen, as to afford a sufficient drive through the grounds 
 before arriving at the house, to give the stranger some idea 
 of the extent of the whole property : to allow an agreeable 
 diversity of surface over which to lead it : and lastly in 
 such a manner as not to interfere with the convenience of 
 ready access to and from the mansion. 
 
 This point being decided, and the other being the mansion 
 and adjacent buildings, it remains to lay out the road in such 
 gradual curves as will appear easy and graceful, without 
 verging into rapid turns, or formal stiffness. Since the mod- 
 em style has become partially known and adopted here, some 
 persons appear to have supposed that nature " has a horror 
 of straight lines," and consequently, believing that they could 
 not possibly err, they immediately ran into the other extreme, 
 filling their grounds with zig-zag and regularly serpentine 
 roads, still more horrible : which can only be compared to 
 the contortions of a wounded snake dragging its way slowly 
 over the earth. 
 
 There are two guiding principles which have been laid 
 down for the formation of Approaxjh roads. The first, that 
 the curves should never be so great, or lead over surfaces so 
 unequal, as to make it disagreeable to drive upon them ; and 
 the second, that the road should never curve without some 
 reason, either real or apparent. 
 
 The most natural method of forming a winding Approach 
 where the ground is gently undulating, is to follow, in some 
 degree, the depressions of surface, and to curve round the 
 eminences. This is an excellent method, so long as it does 
 not lead us in too circuitous a direction, nor, as we before 
 hinted, make the road itself too uneven. When either of 
 these happen, the easy, gradual flow of the curve in the 
 
TREATMENT OF GROUND. — FORMATION OF WALKS. 311 
 
 proper direction, must be maintained by levelling or grading, 
 to produce the proper surface. 
 
 Nothing can be more unmeaning than to see an Approach, 
 or any description of road, winding hither and thither, 
 through an extensive level lawn towards the house, without 
 the least apparent reason for the curves. Happily, we are 
 not therefore obliged to return to the straight line ; but 
 gradual curves may always be so arranged as to appear 
 necessarily to wind round the groiips of trees^ which other- 
 wise would stand in the way. Wherever a bend in the road 
 is intended, a cluster or group of greater or less size and 
 breadth, proportionate to the curve, should be placed in the 
 projection formed. These trees, as soon as they attain some 
 size, if they are properly arranged, we may suppose to have 
 originally stood there, and the road naturally to have 
 curved, to avoid destroying them. 
 
 This arrangement of trees bordering an extended Approach 
 road, in connection with the various other groups, masses, 
 and single trees, in the adjacent lawn, will in nibst cases 
 have the effect of concealing the house from the spectator 
 approaching it, except, perhaps, from one or two points. It 
 has therefore been considered a matter worthy of considera- 
 tion, at what point or points the first vieio of the house shall 
 be obtained. If seen at too great a distance, as in the case 
 of a large estate, it may appear more diminutive and of less 
 magnitude than it should ; or, if first viewed at some other 
 position, it may strike the eye of a stranger, at that point, 
 unfavourably. The best, and indeed the only way to de- 
 cide the matter, is to go over the whole ground covered by 
 the Approach route carefully, and select a spot or spots suf- 
 ficiently near to give the most favourable and striking view 
 of the house itself. This, if openings are to be made, can 
 
312 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 only be done in winter ; but when the ground is to be 
 newly planted, it may be prosecuted at any season. 
 
 The late Mr. Repton, who was one of the most celebrated 
 English practical landscape gardeners, has laid down in 
 one of his works, the following rules on the subject, which 
 we quote, not as applying in all cases, but to show what are 
 generally thought the principal requisites of this road in the 
 modern style. 
 
 First. It ought to be a road to the house, and to that prin- 
 cipally. 
 
 Secondly. If it be not naturally the nearest road possible, 
 it ought artificially to be made to appear so. 
 
 Thirdly. The artificial obstacles which make this road 
 the nearest, ought to appear natural. 
 
 Fourthly. Where an approach quits the high road, it ought 
 not to break from it at right angles, or in such a manner as 
 to rob the entrance of importance, but rather at some bend of 
 the public road, from which a lodge or gate may be more 
 conspicui^us ; and where the high road may appear to 
 branch from the approach, rather than the approach from the 
 high road. 
 
 Fifthly. After the approach enters the park, it should avoid 
 skirting along its boundary, which betrays the want of extent 
 or unity of property. 
 
 Sixthly. The house, unless very large and magnificent, 
 should not be seen at so great a distance as to make it ap- 
 pear much less than it really is. 
 
 Seventhly. The first view of the house should be from the 
 most pleasing point of sight. 
 
 Eighthly. As soon as the house is visible from the ap- 
 proach, there should be no temptation to quit it, (which will 
 ever be the case if the road be at all circuitous,) unless suffi- 
 
TREATMENT OF GROUND. — FORMATION OP WALKS. 313 
 
 cient obstacles, such as water or inaccessible ground appear 
 to justify its course.* 
 
 Although there are many situations where these rules must 
 be greatly modified in practice, yet the improver will do well 
 to bear them in mind, as it is infinitely more easy to make 
 occasional deviations from general rules, than to carry out a 
 tasteful improvement without any guiding principles. 
 
 There are many fine country residences on the banks of 
 the Hudson, Connecticut, and other rivers, where the proprie- 
 tors are often much perplexed and puzzled by the situation 
 of their houses ; the building presenting really tivo fronts^ 
 while they appear to desire only one. Such is the case when 
 the estate is situated between the public road on one side, and 
 the river on the other ; and we have often seen the Approach 
 artificially tortured into a long circuitous route, in order 
 finally to arrive at what the proprietor considers the true front, 
 viz : the side nearest the river. When a building is so situa- 
 ted, much the most elegant efiect is produced by having two 
 fronts : one, the entrance front , with the porch or portico 
 nearest the road, and the other, the river front, facing the 
 water. The beauty of the whole is often surprisingly en- 
 hanced by this arrangement, for the visiter after passing by 
 the Approach through a considerable portion of the grounds, 
 Avith perhaps, but slight and partial glimpses of the river, is 
 most agreeably surprised on entering the house, and looking 
 from the drawing-room windows of the other front, to behold 
 another beautiful scene totally diiferent from the last, en- 
 riched and ennobled by the wide-spread sheet of water before 
 him. Much of the effect produced by this agreeable surprise 
 from the interior, it will readily be seen, would be lost, if the 
 
 * Repton's Enquiry into the changes of taste in Landscape Gardening, p. 109. 
 
 40 
 
314 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 Stranger had already driven round and alighted on the river 
 front. 
 
 The Drive, is a variety of road rarely seen among us, yet 
 T hich may be made a very agreeable feature in some of our 
 country residences, at a small expense. It is intended for ex- 
 ercise more secluded than that upon the public road, and to 
 show the interesting portions of the place from the carriage, 
 or on horseback. Of course it can only be formed upon places 
 of considerable extent ; but it enhances the enjoyment of such 
 places very highly, in the estimation of those who are fond of 
 equestrian exercises. It generally commences where the ap- 
 proach terminates, viz., near the house : and from thence, 
 proceeds in the same easy curvelinear manner, through 
 various parts of the grounds, farm, or estate. Sometimes it 
 sweeps through the pleasure grounds, and returns along the 
 very beach of the river, beneath the fine overhanging foliage 
 of its projecting bank — sometimes it proceeds towards some 
 favourite point of view, or interesting spot in the landscape ; 
 or at others it leaves the lawn and traverses the farm, giving 
 the proprietor an opportunity to examine his crops, or exhibit 
 his agricultural resources to his friends. 
 
 Walks are laid out for purposes similar to Drives, but are 
 much more common, and may be introduced into every scene, 
 hov/ever limited. They are intended solely for promenades 
 or exercise on foot, and should therefore be dry and firm, 
 if possible, at all seasons when it is desirable to use them. 
 Some may be open to the south, sheltered with evergreens, 
 and made dry and hard, for a warm promenade in winter ; 
 others formed of closely mown turf, and thickly shaded by a 
 leafy canopy of verdure, for a cool retreat in the midst of 
 summer. Others again may lead to some sequestered spot, 
 and terminate in a secluded rustic seat, or conduct to some 
 
TREATMENT OF GROUND. — FORMATION OF WALKS. 315 
 
 shaded dell or rugged eminence, where an extensive prospect 
 can be enjoyed. Indeed, the genius of the place must sug- 
 gest the direction, length, and number of the walks to be laid 
 out, as no fixed rules can be imposed in a subject so ever- 
 changing and different. It should however, never be forgot- 
 ten, that the walk ought always to correspond to the scene 
 it traverses, being rough where the latter is wild and pictu- 
 resque, sometimes scarcely diifering from a common footpath, 
 and more polished, as the surrounding objects show evidences 
 of culture and high keeping. In direction^ like the ap- 
 proach, it should take easy flowing curves, though it may 
 often turn more abruptly at the interposition of an obstacle. 
 The chief beauty of curved and bending lines in walks, lies 
 in the new scenes, which by means of them are opened to the 
 eye. In the straight walk of half a mile the whole is seen 
 at a glance, and there is too often but little to excite the spec- 
 tator to pursue the search ; but in the modern style, at every 
 few rods, a new turn in the walk opens a new prospect to the 
 beholder, and " leads the eye, as Hogarth graphically ex- 
 pressed it, " a kind of wanton chase," continually afibrding 
 new refreshment and variety. 
 
 Fences are often among the most unsightly and otfensive 
 objects in our country seats. Some persons appear to have 
 a passion for subdividing their grounds into a great number 
 of fields ; a process which is scarcely ever advisable even in 
 common farms, but for which there can be no apology in 
 elegant residences. The close proximity of fences to the 
 house gives the whole place a confined and mean character. 
 " The mind," says Repton, " feels a certain disgust under a 
 sense of confinement in any situation however beautiful." A 
 wide-spread lawn, on the contrary, where no boundaries are 
 conspicuous, conveys an impression of ample extent and space 
 
316 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 for enjoyment. It is frequently the case that, on that side 
 of the house nearest the outbuildings, fences are, for conve- 
 nience, brought in its close neighbourhood, and here they are 
 easily concealed by plantations ; but on the other sides, open 
 and unobstructed views should be preserved, by removing 
 all barriers not absolutely necessary. 
 
 Nothing is more common, in the places of cockneys who 
 become inhabitants of the country, than a display immedi- 
 ately around the dwelling of a spruce paling of carpentry, 
 neatly made, and painted white or green ; an abomination 
 among the fresh fields, of which no person of taste could be 
 guilty. To fence off a small plot around a fine house, in the 
 midst of a lawn of fifty acres, is a perversity which we could 
 never reconcile, with even the lowest perception of beauty. 
 An old stone wall covered with creepers and climbing plants, 
 may become a picturesque barrier a thousand times superior 
 to such a fence. But there is never one instance in a thou- 
 sand where any barrier is necessary. Where it is desirable to 
 separate the house from the level grass of the lawn, let it be 
 done by an architectural terrace of stone, or a raised platform 
 of gravel supported by turf, which will confer importance 
 and dignity upon the building, instead of giving it a petty 
 and trifling expression. 
 
 Verdant hedges are elegant substitutes for stone or wooden 
 fences, and Ave are surprised that their use has not been 
 hitherto more general. We have ourselves been making 
 experiments for the last ten years with various hedge-plants, 
 and have succeeded in obtaining some hedges which are 
 now highly admired. Five or six years will, in this climate, 
 under proper care, be sufficient to produce hedges of great 
 beauty, capable of withstanding the attacks of every kind 
 of cattle ; barriers, too, which will outlast many generations. 
 
TREATMENT OP GROUND. — FORMATION OP WALKS. 317 
 
 The common Arbor VitfB, (or flat Cedar,) which grows in 
 great abundance in many districts, forms one of the most 
 superb hedges, without the least care in trimming ; the 
 foliage growing thickly, down to the very ground, and 
 being evergreen, the hedge remains clothed the whole year. 
 Our common Thorns, and in particular those known in the 
 nurseries as the Newcastle and Washington thorns, form 
 hedges of great strength and beauty. They are indeed 
 much better adapted to this climate than the English Haw- 
 thorn, which often suffers from the unclouded radiance of 
 our midsummer sun. In autumn, too, it loses its foliage 
 much sooner than our native sorts, some of which assume a 
 brilliant scarlet when the foliage is fading in autumn. In 
 New-England, the Buckthorn is preferred from its rapid and 
 luxuriant growth ;* and in the southern states, the Madura, 
 or Osage Orange, is becoming a favourite for its glossy and 
 polished foliage. The Privet or Prim, is a rapid growing 
 shrub, well fitted for interior divisions. Picturesque hedges 
 are easily formed by intermingling a variety of flowering 
 shrubs, sweet briers, etc., and allowing the whole to grow 
 together in rich masses. For this purpose the Michigan rose 
 is admirably adapted at the north, and the Cherokee rose at 
 the south. In all cases where hedges are employed in the 
 natural style of landscape, (and not in close connection 
 with highly artificial objects, buildings, etc.,) a more agree- 
 able effect will be produced by allowing the hedge to grow 
 somewhat irregular in form, or varying it by planting near 
 it other small trees and shrubs to break the outline, than by 
 clipping it in even and formal lines. Hedges may be ob- 
 
 * The Buckthorn is perhaps the best plant where a thick screen is very speedily- 
 desired. It is not liable to the attack of insects, grows very thickly at the bottom, 
 at once, and will make an efficient screen sooner than almost any other plant. 
 
318 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 tained, in a single season, by planting long shoots of the osier 
 willow, or any other tree which throws out roots easily from 
 cuttings. 
 
 A simple and pleasing barrier, in good keeping with cot- 
 tage residences, may be formed of rustic work, as it is termed. 
 For this purpose, stout rods of any of our native forest trees 
 are chosen, with the bark on, six to ten feet in length ; these 
 are sharpened and driven into the ground in the form of a 
 lattice, or wrought into any figures of trellis that the fancy 
 may suggest. When covered with luxuriant vines and 
 climbing plants, such a barrier is often admirable for its 
 richness and variety. 
 
 The sunk fence, fosse, or ha-ha, is an English invention, 
 used in separating that portion of the lawn near the house, 
 from the part grazed by deer or cattle, and is only a ditch 
 suiSciently wide and deep to render communication diificult 
 on opposite sides. When the ground slopes from the house, 
 such a sunk fence is invisible to a person near the latter, and 
 answers the purpose of a barrier without being in the least 
 obtrusive. 
 
 In a succeeding section we shall refer to terraces with their 
 parapets, which are by far the most elegant barriers for a 
 highly decorated flower garden, or for the purpose of main- 
 taining a proper connection between the house and the 
 grounds, a subject which is scarcely at all attended to, or its 
 importance even recognized as yet among us. 
 
TREATMENT OF WATER. 319 
 
 SECTION VIIL 
 
 TREATMENT OF WATER. 
 
 Beautiful effects of this element in nature. In what cases it is desirable to attempt the forma- 
 tion of artificial pieces of water. Regular forms unpleasing. Directions for the formation 
 of ponds or lakes in the irregular manner. Study of natural lakes. Islands. Planting the 
 margin. Treatment of natural brooks and rivulets. Cascades and waterfalls. Legitimate 
 sphere of the art in tliis department. 
 
 The dale 
 
 With woods o'erhung, and shagg'd with mossy rocks, 
 Whence on each hand the gushing waters play, 
 And down the rough cascade white-dashing fall, 
 Or gleam in lengthened vista through the trees. 
 
 Thompson. 
 
 ^•SS^I* 
 
 H E delightful and captivating eiFects of 
 water in landscapes of every description, 
 are universally known and admitted. The 
 boundless sea, the broad full river, the dashing noisy brook, 
 and the limpid meandering rivulet, are all possessed of their 
 peculiar charms ; and when combined with scenes otherwise 
 finely disposed and well wooded, they add a hundred fold to 
 their beauty. The soft and trembling shadows of the sur- 
 rounding trees and hills, as they fall upon a placid sheet of 
 water — the brilliant light which the crystal surface reflects 
 in pure sunshine, mirroring too, at times in its resplendent 
 bosom, all the cerulean depth and snowy whiteness of the 
 
320 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 overhanging sky, give it an almost magical effect in a beau- 
 tiful landscape. The murmur of the babbling brook, that 
 
 " In linked sweetness long drawn out," 
 
 falls upon the ear in some quiet secluded spot, is inexpressi- 
 bly soothing and delightful to the mind ; and the deeper 
 sound of a cascade that rushes, with an almost musical 
 dash, over its bed of moss-covered rock, is one of the most 
 fascinating of the many elements of enjoyment in a fine 
 country seat. The simplest or the most monotonous view 
 may be enlivened by the presence of water in any con- 
 siderable quantity, and the most picturesque and striking 
 landscape will, by its addition, receive a new charm, in- 
 expressibly enhancing all its former interest. In short, as 
 no place can be considered perfectly complete without either 
 a water view, or water upon its own grounds, wherever 
 it does not so exist, and can be easily formed by artificial 
 means, no man will neglect to take advantage of so fine a 
 source of embellishment as is this element in some of its 
 varied forms. 
 
 " Fleuves, ruisseax, beaux lacs, claires fontaines. 
 
 Venez, portez partout la vie et la fraicheur ; 
 Ah ! qui pent reraplacer votre aspect enchanteur ? 
 De pres il nous amuse, et de loin nous invite : 
 C'est le premier qu'on cherche, et le dernier qu'on quitte. 
 Vous fecondes les champs ; vous repetez les cieux, 
 ' Vous enchantez I'oreille, et vous charmez les yeux." 
 
 In this country, where the progress of gardening and im- 
 provements of this nature, is rather shown in a simple and 
 moderate embellishment of a large number of villas and 
 country seats, than by a lavish and profuse expenditure on 
 a few entailed places, as in the. residences of the English 
 
TREATMENT OF WATER. 321 
 
 nobility, the formation of large pieces of water at great cost, 
 and extreme labour, would be considered both absurd and 
 uncalled for. Indeed, when nature has so abundantly- 
 spread before us such an endless variety of superb lakes, 
 rivers, and streams of every size and description, the efforts 
 of man to rival her great works by mere imitation, would, 
 in most cases, only become ludicrous by contrast. 
 
 When, however, a number of perpetual springs cluster 
 together, or a rill, rivulet, or brook, runs through an estate 
 in such a manner as easily to be improved or developed 
 into an elegant expanse of water in any part of the grounds, 
 we should not hesitate to take advantage of so fortunate a 
 circumstance. Besides the additional beauty conferred upon 
 the whole place by such an improvement, the proprietor may 
 also derive an inducement from its utility ; for the posses- 
 sion of a small lake, well stocked with carp, trout, pickerel, 
 or any other of the excellent pond fish, which thrive and 
 propagate extremely well in clear fresh water, is a real 
 advantage which no one will undervalue. 
 
 There is no department of Landscape Gardening which 
 appears to have been less understood in this country, than 
 the management of water. Although there have not been 
 many attempts made in this way, yet the occasional efforts 
 that have been put forth in various parts of the country, in 
 the shape of square, circular, and oblong pools of water, 
 indicate a state of knowledge extremely meagre, in the art 
 of Landscape Gardening. The highest scale to which these 
 pieces of water rise in our estimation is that of respectable 
 horse-ponds ; — beautiful objects they certainly are not. 
 They are generally round or square, with perfectly smooth, 
 flat banks on every side, and resemble in tameness and in- 
 sipidity, a huge basin set down in the middle of a green 
 
 41 
 
322 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 lawn. They are even, in most cases, denied the advantage 
 of shade, except perhaps occasionally a few straggling trees 
 can be said to fulfil that purpose ; for richly tufted margins, 
 and thickets of overhanging shrubs, are accompaniments 
 rare indeed.* 
 
 Lakes or ponds are the most beautiful forms in which 
 
 * Simple and easy, as would appear the artificial imitation of these variations 
 of nature, yet to an unpractised hand, and a tasteless mind, nothing is really more 
 difficult. To produce meagre right lines and geometrical forms is extremely easy 
 in any of the fine arts, but to give the grace, spirit, and variety of nature, requires 
 both tasteful perception and some practice; hence, in the infancy of any art, 
 the productions are characterized by extreme meagemess and simplicity;— of 
 which the first efibrts to draw the human figure or to form artificial pieces of water, 
 are good examples. 
 
 Brown, who was one of the early practitioners of the modem style abroad, and 
 who just saw far enough to lay aside the ancient formal method, without apprecia- 
 ting nature sufficiently to be willing to take her for his model, once disgraced half 
 of the finest places in England with his tame, bald pieces of artificial water, and 
 round, formal clumps of trees. Mr. Knight, in his elegant poem, " The Landscape," 
 spiritedly rebuked this practice in the following lines : — 
 
 " Shaved to the brink our brooks are taught to flow 
 Where no obtruding leaves or branches grow : 
 While clumps of shrubs bespot each winding vale 
 Open alike to every gleam and gale : 
 Each secret haunt and deep recess display'd, 
 And intricacy banished with its shade. 
 
 Hence, hence ! thou haggard fiend, however call'd, 
 The meagre genius of the bare and bald ; 
 Thy spade and mattock here at length lay down. 
 And follow to the tomb, thy favourite, Brown ; 
 Thy favourite Brown, whose innovating hand, 
 First dealt thy curses o'er this fertile land; 
 First taught the walk in spiral forms to move, 
 And from their haunts the secret Dryads drove ; 
 With clumps bespotted o'er the mountain's side, 
 And bade the stream 'twiit banks close-shaven glide ; 
 Banish'd the thickets of high tow'rlng wood 
 Which hung reflected o'er the glassy flood." 
 
TREATMENT OF WATER. 323 
 
 water can be displayed in the grounds of a country resi- 
 dence.* They invariably produce their most pleasing 
 effects when they are below the level of the house ; as, if 
 above, they are lost to the view, and if placed on a level 
 with the eye they are seen to much less advantage. We 
 conceive that they should never be introduced where they 
 do not naturally exist, except with the concurrence of the 
 following circumstances. First, a sufficient quantity of 
 running water to maintain at all times an overflow, for 
 nothing can be more unpleasant than a stagnant pool, as 
 nothing is more delightful than pure, clear, limpid water ; 
 and secondly, some natural formation of ground, in which 
 the proposed water can be expanded, that will not only 
 make it appear natural, but diminish, a hundred fold, the 
 expense of formation. 
 
 The finest and most appropriate place to form a lake, is in 
 the bottom of a smpJl valley, rather broad in proportion to 
 its length. The soil there, will probably be found rather 
 clayey and retentive of moisture, and the rill or brook, if not 
 already running through it, could doubtless be easily diver- 
 ted thither. There, by damming up the lower part of the 
 valley with a head of greater or less height, the water may 
 be(thrown back so as to form the whole body of the lake. 
 
 The first subject which will demand the attention, after 
 the spot has been selected for the lake or pond, and the 
 height of the head, and consequent depth of water deter- 
 mined upon, is the proposed form or outline of the whole. 
 
 * Owing to the immense scale upon which nature displays this fine element in 
 North America, every sheet of water of moderate or small size, is almost univer- 
 sally called a pond. And many a beautiful, limpid, natural expanse which in 
 England would be thought a charming lake, is here simply a pond. The term 
 may be equally correct, but is by no means as elegant. 
 
324 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 And, as we have already rejected all regular and geometric 
 forms, in scenes were either natural, or picturesque beauty 
 is supposed to predominate, we must turn our attention to 
 examples for imitation in another direction. 
 
 If, then, the improver will recur to the most beautiful, 
 small, natural lake within his reach, he will have a subject 
 to study, and an example to copy well worthy of imitation. 
 If he examine minutely and carefully such a body of water, 
 with all its accompaniments, he will find that it is not only 
 delightfully wooded and overshadowed by a variety of vege- 
 tation of all heights, from the low sedge that grows on its 
 open margin, to the tall tree that bends its branches over its 
 limpid wave ; but he will also perceive a striking peculiari- 
 ty in its irregular outline. This, he will observe is neither 
 round, square, oblong, or any modification of these regular 
 figures, but full of bays and projections, sinuosities and 
 recesses of various forms and sizes, sometimes bold, and 
 reaching a considerable way out into the body of the lake, 
 at others, smaller and more varied in shape and connection. 
 In the height of the banks, too, he will probably observe 
 considerable variety. At some places, the shore will steal 
 gently and gradually away from the level of the water, 
 while at others it will rise suddenly and abruptly, in banjfs 
 more or less steep, irregular, and rugged. Rocks and stones 
 covered with mosses, will here and there jut out from the 
 banks, or lie along the margin of the water, and the whole 
 scene will be full of interest from the variety, intricacy, and 
 beauty of the various parts. If he will accurately note in 
 his mind all these varied forms — their separate outlines, the 
 way in which they blend into one another, and connect 
 themselves together, and the effect which, surrounding the 
 water, they produce as a whole, he will have §ome tolerably 
 
TREATMENT OP WATER. 325 
 
 correct ideas of the way in which an artificial lake ought to 
 be formed. 
 
 Let him go still farther now, in imagination, and suppose 
 the banks of this natural lake, without being otherwise 
 altered, entirely denuded of grass, shrubs, trees, and verdure 
 of every description, remaining characterized only by their 
 original form and outline ; this will give him a more com- 
 plete view of the method in which his labours must com- 
 mence; fox uncouth and apparently mis-shapen as those 
 banks are and must be, when raw and unclothed, to exhibit 
 all tlieir variety and play of light and shadow when ver- 
 dant and complete, so also must the original form of the 
 banks and margin of the piece of artificial water, in order 
 finally to assume the beautiful or picturesque, be made to 
 assume outlines equally rough and harsh in their raw and 
 incomplete state. 
 
 It occasionally happens, though rarely, that around the 
 hollow or valley where it is proposed to form the piece of 
 water, the ground rises m such irregular form, and is so un- 
 dulating, receding, and projecting in various parts, that 
 when the water is dammed up by the head below, the natu- 
 ral outline formed by the banks already existing, is suffi- 
 ciently varied, to produce a pleasing effect without much 
 further preparatory labour. This, when it occurs, is ex- 
 ceedingly fortunate ; but the examples are so unfrequent, 
 that we must here make our suggestions upon a different 
 supposition. 
 
 When, therefore, it is found that the form of the intended 
 lake would not be such as is desirable, it must be made so 
 by digging. In order to do this with any exactness, the 
 improver should take his stand at that part of the ground 
 where the dam or head is to be formed, and raising his 
 
326 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 levelling instrument to the exact height to which the in- 
 tended lake will rise, sweep round with his eye upon the 
 surrounding sides of the valley, and indicate by placing 
 marks there, the precise line to which the water will reach. 
 This can easily be done throughout the whole circum- 
 ference, by a few changes of position. 
 
 When the outline is ascertained in this way, and marked 
 out, the improver can, with the occasional aid of the level- 
 ler, easily determine where and how he can make alterations 
 and improvements. He will then excavate along the new 
 margin, until he makes the water line, (as shown by the in- 
 strument,) penetrate to all the various bays, inlets, and curves 
 of the proposed lake. In making these irregular variations, 
 sometimes bold and striking, at others fainter and less per- 
 ceptible, he can be guided, as we have already suggested, by 
 no fixed rules, but such as he may deduce from the opera- 
 tions of nature on the same materials, or by imbuing his 
 mind with the beauty of forms in graceful and refined art. 
 In highly polished scenery, elegant curves and graceful 
 sweeps should enter into the composition of the outline; 
 but in wilder or more picturesque situations, more irregular 
 and abrupt variations, will be found most suitable and 
 appropriate. 
 
 The intended water outline once fully traced and under- 
 stood, the workmen can now proceed to form the banks. 
 All this time the improver will keep in mind the supposed 
 appearance of the bank of a natural lake stripped of its vege- 
 tation, etc., which will greatly assist him in his progress. 
 In some places the banks will rise but little from the water, 
 at others one or two feet, and at others perhaps three, four, 
 or six times as much. This they will do, not in the same 
 maimer m all portions of the outline, sloping away with a 
 
TREATMENT OF WATER. 327 
 
 like gradual rise on both sides, for this would inevitably 
 produce tameness and monotony, but in an irregular and 
 varied manner ; sometimes falling back gradually, some- 
 times starting up perpendicularly, and again overhanging 
 the bed of the lake itself. 
 
 All this can be easily effected, while the excavations of 
 those portions of the bed which require deepening are going 
 on. And the better portions of the soil obtained from the 
 latter, will serve to raise the banks when they are too low. 
 
 It is of but little consequence how roughly and irregularly 
 the projections, elevations, etc., of the banks and outlines are 
 at first made, so that some general form and connection is 
 preserved. The danger lies on the other side, viz : in pro- 
 ducing a whole too tame and insipid, for we have found by 
 experience, how difficult it is to make the best workmen un- 
 derstand how to operate in any other -^ay than in regular 
 curves and straight lines. Besides, newly moved earth, by 
 settling, and the influence of rains, etc., tends, for some 
 time, towards greater evenness and equality of surface. 
 
 Mr. Price, in his unrivalled instructions for the creation 
 of pieces of artificial water, has suggested another excellent 
 method by which the outlines and banks of lakes, may be 
 varied. This is, first, by cutting down the banks, in some 
 places nearest the water, perpendicularly, and then under- 
 mining them. This will produce a gradual variation in 
 some parts, which, falling to pieces, will produce new and 
 irregular accidental outlines. AVhen, by the action of rain 
 and frost, added to that of the water itself, large fragments 
 of mould tumble from the hollowed banks of rivers or lakes, 
 these fragments, by the accumulation of other mould, often 
 lose their rude and broken form, are covered with the fresh- 
 est grass, and enriched with tufts of natural flowers ; and 
 
328 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. ' 
 
 though detached from the bank, and upon a lower level, 
 still appear connected with it, and vary its outline in the 
 softest and most pleasing manner. As fragments of the 
 same kind will always be detached from ground that is 
 undermined, so by their means the same effects may de- 
 signedly be produced ; and they will suggest numberless 
 intricacies and varieties of a soft and pleasing, as well as of 
 a broken kind. 
 
 It will of course be well understood that we have here not 
 supposed our proposed lake to be located in a valley that 
 must be filled to the brim, or in a tame flat when the water 
 would rise to the same level as the adjacent ground. In such 
 situations there could be but little room for the display of a 
 high degree of picturesque beauty. On the contrary, when 
 the surrounding ground in many places rises gradually, or is 
 naturally higher than the proposed level of the water, there 
 is room for all the variety of banks of various heights, form, 
 and outline, which so spring out of the neighbouring undu- 
 lations and eminences, and connect themselves with them, 
 as to appear perfectly natural and in proper keeping. 
 
 In arranging these outlines and banks, we should study 
 the effect at the points from which they will generally be 
 vietS^-ed. Some pieces of water in valleys, are looked down 
 upon from other and higher parts of the demesne ; others-, 
 (and this is most generally the case,) are only seen from the 
 adjoining walk, at some point or points where the latter ap- 
 proaches the lake. They are most generally seen from one, 
 and seldom from more than two sides. When a lake is 
 viewed from above, its contour should be studied as a whole ; 
 but when it is only seen from one or more sides or points, 
 the beauty of the coup cfceil from those positions can often 
 be greatly increased by some trifling alterations in arrange- 
 
TREATMENT OF WATER. 329 
 
 ment. A piece of water which is long and comparatively- 
 narrow, appears extremely diiferent in opposite points of 
 view ; if seen lengthwise, from either extremity, its apparent 
 breadth and extent is much increased ; while, if the spectator 
 be placed on one side and look across, it will seem narrow 
 and insignificant. Now, although the form of an artificial 
 lake of moderate size should never be much less in breadth 
 than in length, yet the contrary is sometimes unavoidably 
 the case ; and being so, we should by all means avail our- 
 selves of those well known laws in perspective, which will 
 place them in the best possible position, relative to the 
 spectator. 
 
 If the improver desire to render his banks still more pictu- 
 resque, resembling the choicest morceaiix of natural banks, 
 he should go a step farther in arranging his materials before 
 he introduces the water, or clothes the margin with vegetation. 
 In analyzing the finest portions of natural banks, it will 
 be observed that their peculiar characteristics often depend 
 on other objects, besides the mere ground of the surroundmg 
 banks, and the trees and verdure with which they are clothed. 
 These are, rocks of various size, forms, and colours, often pro- 
 jecting out of, or holding up the bank in various places ; stones 
 sometimes imbedded in the soil, sometimes lying loosely 
 along the shore ; and lastly, old stumps of trees with gnarled 
 roots whose decaying hues are often extremely mellow and 
 agreeable to the eye. All these have much to do with the 
 expression of a truly picturesque bank, and cannot be exclu- 
 ded or taken away from it without detracting largely from 
 its character. There is no reason, therefore, in an imitation 
 of nature, why we should not make use of all her materials 
 to produce a similar effect ; and although in the raw and 
 rude state of the banks at first, they may have a singular and 
 
 42 
 
330 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 rather outre aspect, stuck round and decorated here and 
 there with large rocks, smaller stones, and old stumps of 
 trees ; yet it must be remembered that this is only the chaotic 
 state, from which the new creation is to emerge more per- 
 fectly formed and completed ; and also that the appearance 
 of these rocks and stumps, when covered with mosses, and 
 partially overgrown with a profusion of luxuriant vegetation 
 and climbing plants, will be as beautifully picturesque after 
 a little time has elapsed, as it is now uncouth and uninviting. 
 
 Islands generally contribute greatly to the beauty of a 
 piece of water. They serve, still farther, to increase the va- 
 riety of outline, and to break up the wide expanse of liquid, 
 into secondary portions, without injuring the effect of the 
 whole. The striking contrast too, between their verdure, 
 the colour of their margins, composed of variously tinted 
 soils and stones, and the still, smooth water around them, — 
 softened and blended as this contrast is, by their shadows 
 reflected back from the limpid element, gives additional rich- 
 ness to the picture. 
 
 The distribution of islands in a lake or pond, requires 
 some judgment. They will always appear most natural 
 when sufficiently near the shore, on either side, to maintain 
 in appearance some connection with it. Although islands 
 do sometimes occur near the middle of natural lakes, yet the 
 effect is by no means good ; as it not only breaks and distracts 
 the effect of the whole expanse by dividing it into two dis- 
 tinct parts, but it always indicates a shallowness or want of 
 depth, where the water should be deepest. 
 
 There are two situations where it is universally admitted 
 that islands may be happily introduced. These are, at the 
 inlet and the exit of the body of water. In many cases where 
 the stream which supplies the lake is not remarkable for size, 
 
TREATMENT OF WATER. 331 
 
 and will add nothing to the appearance of the whole view 
 from the usual points of sight, it may be concealed by an 
 island or a small group of islands, placed at some little dis- 
 tance in front of it. The head or dam of a lake too, is often 
 necessarily so formal and abrupt, that it is difficult to make 
 it appear natural and in good keeping with the rest of the 
 margin. The introduction of an island or two, placed near 
 the main shore, on either side, and projecting as far as pos- 
 sible before the dam, will greatly diminish this disagreeable 
 formality, particularly if well clothed with a rich tuft of 
 shrubs and overhanging bushes. 
 
 Except in these two instances, islands should be generally 
 placed opposite the salient points of the banks, or near those 
 places where small breaks or promontories run out into the 
 water. In such situations, they will increase the irregularity 
 of the outline, and lend it additional spirit and animation. 
 Should they, on the other hand, be seated in or near the 
 marginal curve and indentations, they will only serve to clog 
 up these recesses ; and while their own figures are lost in 
 these little bays where they are hidden, by lessening the 
 already existing irregularities, they will render the whole 
 outline tame and spiritless. 
 
 On one or two of these small islands, little rustic habita- 
 tions, if it coincide with the taste of the proprietor, may be 
 made for different aquatic birds or water fowl, which will 
 much enliven the scene by their fine plumage. Among 
 these the swan is pre-eminent, for its beauty and graceful- 
 ness. Abroad, they are the almost constant accompaniments 
 of water in the ground of country residences ; and it cannot 
 be denied that, floating about in the limpid wave, with their 
 snow-white plumage, and superbly curved necks, they are 
 extremely elegant objects. 
 
332 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 After having arranged the banks, reared up the islands^ 
 and completely formed the bed of the proposed lake, the im- 
 prover will next proceed, at the proper period, to finish his 
 labours by clothing the newly formed ground, in various 
 parts, with vegetation. This may be done immediately, if it 
 be desirable ; or if the season be not favourable, it may be 
 deferred until the banks, and all the newly formed earth, have 
 had time to settle and assume their final forms, after the dam 
 has been closed, and the whole basin filled to its intended 
 height. 
 
 Planting the margins of pieces of water, if they should be 
 of much extent, must evidently proceed upon the same lead- 
 ing principle that we have already laid down for ornamental 
 plantations in other situations. That is, there must be trees 
 of dilferent heights and sizes, and underwood and shrubs of 
 lower growth, disposed sometimes singly, at others in masses, 
 groups, and thickets : in all of which forms, connectioti must 
 be preserved, and the whole must be made to blend well to- 
 gether, while the different sizes and contours will prevent 
 any sameness and confusion. On the retreating dry banks, 
 the taller and more sturdy deciduous and evergreen trees, as 
 the oak, ash, etc., may be planted, and nearer by, the different 
 willows, the elm, the alder, and other trees that love a moister 
 situation, will thrive well. It is indispensably necessary in 
 order to produce breadth of effect and strong rich contrasts, 
 that underwood should be employed to clothe many parts of 
 the banks. Without it, the stems of trees will appear loose 
 and straggling, and the screen will be so imperfect as to al- 
 low a free passage for the vision in every direction. For this 
 purpose, we have in all our woods, swamps, and along our 
 brooks, an abundance of hazels, hawthorns, alders, spice 
 woods, winter berries, azaleas, spireas, and a hundred other 
 
TREATMENT OF WATER. 333 
 
 fine low shrubs, growing wild, which are by nature extremely- 
 well fitted for such sites, and will produce immediate eifect 
 on being transplanted. These may be intermingled, here 
 and there, with the swamp button-bush, {Cephalanthus) 
 which bears handsome white globular heads of blossoms, 
 and the swamp magnolia, which is highly beautiful and fra- 
 grant. On cool north banks, among shelves of proper soil 
 upheld by projecting ledges of rock, our native Kalmias and 
 Rhododendrons, the common and mountain laurels, may be 
 made to flourish. The Virginia Creeper, and other beautiful 
 wild vines, may be planted at the roots of some of the trees 
 to clamber up their stems, and the wild Clematis so placed 
 that its luxuriant festoons shall hang gracefully from the pro- 
 jecting boughs of some of the overarching trees. Along the 
 lower banks and closer margins, the growth of smaller plants 
 will be encouraged, and various kinds of wild ferns may be 
 so planted as partially to conceal, overrun, and hide the rocks 
 and stumps of trees, while trailing plants, as the periwinkle 
 and moneywort, {Lysmnachia numinularia,) will still far- 
 ther increase the intricacy and richness of such portions. In 
 this way, the borders of the lake will resemble the finest por- 
 tions of the banks of picturesque and beautiful natural dells 
 and pieces of water, and the effect of the whole when time 
 has given it the benefit of its softening touches, if it has been 
 thus properly executed, will not be much inferior to those 
 matchless bits of fine landscape. A more striking and artis- 
 tical effect will be produced by substituting for native treeS 
 and shrubs, common on the banks of streams and lakes in 
 the country, only rare foreign shrubs, vines, and aquatic 
 plants of hardy growth, suitable for such situations. While 
 these are arranged in the same manner as the former, from 
 their comparative novelty, especially in such sites, they will 
 at once convey the idea of refined and elegant art. 
 
334 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 If any person will take the trouble to compare a piece of 
 water so formed, when complete, with the square or circular 
 sheets or ponds now in vogue among us, he must indeed be 
 little gifted with an appreciation of the beautiful, if he do not 
 at once perceive the surpassing merit of the natural style. 
 In the old method, the banks, level, or rising alike on all 
 sides, without any or but few surrounding trees, carefully 
 gravelled along the edge of the water, or what is still worse, 
 walled up, slope away in a tame, dull, uninteresting grass 
 field. In the natural method, the outline is varied, sometimes 
 receding from the eye, at others stealing out, and inviting the 
 gaze — the banks here slope off gently with a gravelly beach, 
 and there rise abruptly in different heights, abounding with 
 hollows, projections, and eminences, showing various colour- 
 ed rocks and soils, intermingled with a luxuriant vegetation 
 of all sizes and forms, corresponding to the different situations. 
 Instead of allowing the sun to pour down in one blaze of 
 light, without any objects to soften it with their shade, the 
 thick overhanging groups and masses of trees cast, here and 
 there, deep cool shadows. Stealing through the leaves and 
 branches, the sun-beams quiver and play upon the surface of 
 the flood, and are reflected back in dancing light, while their 
 full glow upon the broader and more open portions of the 
 lake is relieved, and brought into harmony, by the cooler and 
 softer tints mirrored in the water from the surrounding hues 
 and tints of banks, rocks, and vegetation. 
 
 Natural brooks and rivulets may often be improved great- 
 ly by a few trifling alterations or additions, when they chance 
 to come within the bounds of a country residence. Occa- 
 sionally, they may be diverted from their original beds when 
 they run through distant and unfrequented parts of the 
 demesne, and brought through nearer portions of the pleasure- 
 grounds or lawn. This, however, can only be done, with 
 
TREATMENT OF WATER. 335 
 
 propriety, when there is a natural indication in the grounds 
 through which it is proposed to divert it — as a succession 
 or hollows, etc., to form the future channel. Sometimes, a 
 brisk little brook can be divided into two smaller ones for 
 some distance, again uniting at a point below, creating addi- 
 tional diversity by its varymg form.* 
 
 Brooks, rivulets, and even rills, may frequently be greatly 
 improved by altering the form of their beds in various places. 
 Often by merely removing a few trifling obstructions, loose 
 stones, branches, etc., or hollowing away the adjoining bank 
 for a short distance, fine little expanses or pools of still water 
 may be formed, which are happily contrasted with the more 
 rugged course of the rest of the stream. Such improvements 
 of these minor water courses, are much preferable to widen, 
 ing them into flat, insipid, tame canals or rivers, which, 
 though they present greater surface to the eye, are a thou- 
 sand times inferior in the impetuosity of motion, and musical, 
 "babbling sound," so delightful in rapid brooks and rivulets.t 
 
 Cascades and vjater-falls are the most charming features 
 
 * The Abbe Delille has given us a fine image of a brook thus divided, in the 
 following lines: — 
 
 " Plus loin, il se separe en deux ruisseaux agiles, 
 Qui, se suivant I'un I'autre avec rapidite, 
 Disputent de vitesse et de limpidite ; 
 Puis, rejoignant tous deux le lit qui les rassemble, 
 Murmurent enchantcs de voyager ensemble. 
 Ainsi, toujours arrant de detour en detour, 
 Muet, bruyant, paisible, inquiet tour a tour, 
 Sous mille aspects divers son cours se renouvelle." 
 
 t The most successful improvement of a natural brook that we have ever wit- 
 nessed, has been effected in the grounds of Henry Sheldon, Esq., of Tarrytown, 
 N. Y. The great variety and beauty displayed in about a fourth of a mile of the 
 course of this stream, its pretty cascades, rustic bridges, rockwork, etc., reflect the 
 highest credit on the taste of that gentleman. 
 
336 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 of natural brooks and rivulets. Whatever may be their size 
 they are always greatly admired, and in no way, is the 
 peculiar stillness of the air, peculiar to the country, more 
 pleasingly broken, than by the melody of falling water. 
 Even the gurgling and mellow sound of a small rill, leaping 
 over a few fantastic stones, has a kind of lulling fascination 
 for the ear, and when this sound can be brought so near as 
 to be distinctly heard at the residence itself, it is peculiarly 
 delightful.* Now any one who examines a small cascade at 
 all attentively, in a natural brook, will see that it is often 
 formed in the simplest manner by the interposition of a few 
 large projecting stones, which partially dam up the current 
 and prevent the ready flow of the water. Such little cas- 
 cades are easily imitated, by following exactly the same 
 course, and damming up the little brook artificially ; stu- 
 diously avoiding, however, any formal and artificial disposi- 
 tion of the stones or rocks employed. 
 
 Larger water-falls and cascades cannot usually be made 
 without some regular head or breastwork, to oppose more 
 firmly the force of the current. Such heads may be formed 
 of stout plank and well prepared clay ;t or, which is greatly 
 preferable, of good masonry laid in water cement. After a 
 head is thus formed it must be concealed entirely from the 
 eye by covering it both upon the top and sides with natural 
 rocks and stones of various sizes, so ingeniously disposed, 
 
 * The fine stream which forms the south boundary of Blithewood, on the 
 Hudson, the seat of R. Donaldson, Esq., affords two of the finest natural cataracts 
 that we have seen in the grounds of any private residence. Fig. 38 is a view of 
 the larger cascade which falls about 60 feet over a bold, rocky bed. 
 
 t It is found that strong loam or any tenacious earth well prepared hy puddling 
 or beating in water is equally impervious to water as clay ; and may therefore be 
 used for lining the sides or dams of bodies of made water when such materials are 
 required. 
 

 Fig. 38. The Cataract at Blifhewood. 
 
TREATMENT OF WATER. 337 
 
 as to appear fully to account for, or be the cause of, the 
 water-fall. 
 
 The axe of the original backwoodsman appears to have 
 left such a mania for clearing behind it, even in those por- 
 tions of the Atlantic states where such labor should be for- 
 ever silenced, that some of our finest places in the country 
 will be found much desecrated and mutilated by its careless 
 and unpardonable use ; and not only are fine plantations 
 often destroyed, but the banks of some of our finest streams 
 and prettiest rivulets partially laid bare by the aid of this 
 instrument, guided by some tasteless hand. Wherever fine 
 brooks or water courses are thus mutilated, one of the most 
 necessary and obvious improvements is to reclothe them 
 with plantations of trees and underwood. In planting their 
 banks anew, much beauty and variety can often be produced 
 by employing different growths, and arranging them as we 
 have directed for the margins of lakes and ponds. In some 
 places where easy, beautiful slopes and undulations of ground 
 border the streams, gravel, soft turf, and a few simple groups 
 of trees, will be the most natural accompaniments ; in others 
 where the borders of the stream are broken into rougher, 
 more rocky and precipitous ridges, all the rich wildness and 
 intricacy of low shrubs, ferns, creeping and climbing plants, 
 may be brought in to advantage. Where the extent to be 
 thus improved is considerable, the trouble may be lessened 
 by planting the larger growth, and sowing the seeds of the 
 smaller plants mingled together. Prepare the materials, and 
 time and nature, with but little occasional assistance, will 
 mature and soften, and blend together the whole, in their 
 own matchless and inimitable manner. 
 
 From all that we have suggested in these limited remarks, 
 it will be seen that we would only attempt in our operations 
 
 43 
 
338 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 with water, the graceful or picturesque imitations of natural 
 lakes or ponds, and brooks, rivulets, and streams. Such are 
 the only forms in which this unrivalled element can be dis- 
 played so as to harmonize agreeably with natural and pic- 
 turesque scenery. In the latter, there can be no apology 
 made for the introduction of straight canals, round or oblong 
 pieces of water, and all the regular forms of the geometric 
 mode ; because they would evidently be in violent opposi- 
 tion to the whole character and expression of natural land- 
 scape. In architectural, or flower gardens, (of which we 
 shall hereafter have occasion to ofier some remarks,) where 
 a different and highly artificial arrangement prevails, all 
 these regular forms, with various jets, fountains, etc., may 
 be employed with good taste, and will combine well with 
 the other accessories of such places. But in the grounds of 
 a residence in the modern style, nature, if possible, still 
 more purified, as in the great chefs d'oeuvres of art, by an 
 ideal standard, should be the great aim of the Landscape 
 Gardener. And with water especially, only beautiful when 
 allowed to take its own flowing forms and graceful motions, 
 more than with any other of our materials, all appearance 
 of constraint and formality should be avoided. If art be at 
 all manifest, it should discover itself only, as in the admira- 
 bly painted landscape, in the reproduction of nature in her 
 choicest developments. Indeed, many of the most cele- 
 brated authors who have treated of this subject, appear to 
 agree, that the productions of the artist in this branch, are 
 most perfect, as they approach most nearly to fac-similes of 
 nature herself: and though art should have formed the 
 whole, its employment must be nowhere discovered by the 
 spectator ; or as Tasso has more elegantly expressed the 
 idea : 
 
 " l'aRTE CHE TUTTO FA, NULLA SI SCOPRE." 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 339 
 
 SECTION IX. 
 
 LANDSCAPE OR RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 
 
 Difference between a city and a country house. The characteristic features of a country house. 
 Examination of the leading principles in Rural Architecture. The different styles. The 
 Grecian style, its merits and defects, and its associations. The Roman and Italian styles. 
 The Pointed or Gothic style. The Tudor Mansion. The English Cottage, or Rural Gothic 
 style. These styles considered in relation to situation or scenery. Individual tastes. En- 
 trance Lodges. 
 
 " A house amid the quiet country's shades, 
 With length'ning vistas, ever sunny glades ; 
 Beauty and fragrance clustering o'er the wall, 
 A porch inviting, and an ample hall." 
 
 RCHITECTURE, either 
 
 practically considered, or view- 
 ed as an art of taste, is a subject 
 ^iSO important and comprehen- 
 sive in itself, that volumes 
 would be requisite to do it justice. Buildings of every de- 
 scription, from the humble cottage to tlie lofty temple, are 
 objects of such constant recurrence in every habitable part 
 of the globe, and are so strikingly indicative of the intelli- 
 gence, character, and taste of the inhabitants, that they pos- 
 sess in themselves a great and peculiar interest for the mind. 
 To have a " local habitation," — a permanent dwelling, that 
 we can give the impress of our own mind, and identify with 
 our own existence, — appears to be the ardent wish, sooner 
 
340 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 or later felt, of every man : excepting only those wandering 
 sons of Ishmacl, who pitch their tents with the same indiffer- 
 ence, and as little desire to remain fixed, in the flowery plains 
 of Persia, as in the sandy deserts of Zahara, or Arabia. 
 
 In a city or town, or its immediate vicinity, where space 
 is limited, where buildings stand crowded together, and de- 
 pend for their attractions entirely upon the style and manner 
 of their construction, mere architectural effect, after conve- 
 nience and fitness are consulted, is of course the only point to 
 be kept in view. There the fa§ade which meets the eye of 
 the spectator from the public street, is enriched and made at- 
 tractive by the display of architectural style and decoration ; 
 commensurate to the magnitude or importance of the edifice, 
 and the whole, so far as the effect of the building is concerned, 
 comes directly within the province of the architect alone. 
 
 With respect to this class of dwellings, we have little com- 
 plaint to make, for many of our town residences are highly 
 elegant and beautiful. But how shall we designate that 
 singular perversity of taste, or rather that total want of it, 
 which prompts the man, who, under the name of a villa 
 residence, piles up in the free open country, amid the green 
 fields, and beside the wanton gracefulness of luxuriant nature, 
 a stiff modern "three story brick," which, like a well bred 
 cockney with a true horror of the country, doggedly seems 
 to refuse to enter into harmonious combination with any other 
 object in the scene, but only serves to call up the exclama- 
 tion, 
 
 Avaunt, stiff pile ! why didst thou stray 
 From blocks congenial in Broadway ! 
 
 Yet almost daily we see built up in the country huge com- 
 binations of boards and shingles, without the least attempts at 
 adaptation to situation ; and square masses of brick start up 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 341 
 
 here and there, in the verdant slopes of o ur village suburbs 
 appearing as if they had been transplanted, by some unlucky 
 incantation, from the close-packed neighbourhood of city 
 residence, and left accidentally in the country, or, as Sir 
 Walter Scott has remarked, "had strayed out to the country 
 for an airing." 
 
 What then are the proper characteristics of a rural resi- 
 dence ? The answer to this, in a few words, is, such a 
 dwelling, as from its various accommodations, not only gives 
 ample space for all the comforts and conveniences of a country 
 life, but by its varied and picturesque form and outline, its 
 porches, verandas, etc., also appears to have some reasonable 
 connection, or be in perfect keeping, with surrounding nature. 
 Architectural beauty must be considered conjointly with the 
 beauty of the landscape or situation. Buildings of almost 
 every description, and particularly those for the habitation of 
 man, will be considered by the mind of taste, not only as ar- 
 chitectural objects of greater or less merit, but as component 
 parts of the general scene ; united with the surrounding lawn, 
 embosomed in tufts of trees and shrubs, if properly designed 
 and constructed, they will even serve to impress a character 
 upon the surrounding landscape. Their effect will frequently 
 be good or bad, not merely as they are excellent or indifferent 
 examples of a certain style of building, but as they are hap- 
 pily or unhappily combined with the adjacent scenery. The 
 intelligent observer will readily appreciate the truth of this, 
 and acknowledge the value, as well as necessity, of something 
 besides architectural knowledge. And he will perceive 
 how much more likely to be successful, are the efforts of him, 
 who in composing and constructing a rural residence, calls 
 in to the aid of architecture, the genius of the landscape ; — ■ 
 whose mind is imbued with a taste for beautiful scenery, and 
 
342 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 who so elegantly and ingeniously engrafts art upon nature, 
 as to heighten her beauties ; while by the harmonious union 
 he throws a borrowed charm around his own creation. 
 
 The English, above all other people, are celebrated for 
 their skill in what we consider rtiral adaptation. Their 
 residences seem to be a part of the scenes where they are 
 situated ; for their exquisite taste and nice perception of the 
 beauties of Landscape Gardening and rural scenery, lead them 
 to erect those picturesque edifices, which by their varied out- 
 lines, seem in exquisite keeping with nature ; while by the 
 numberless climbing plants, shrubs, and fine ornamental trees 
 with which they surround them, they form beautiful pictures 
 of rural beauty. Even the various offices connected with the 
 dwelling, partially concealed by groups of foliage, and con- 
 tributing to the expression of domestic comfort, while they 
 extend out, and give importance to the main edifice, also 
 serve to connect it, in a less abrupt manner, with the 
 grounds. 
 
 So different indeed is the general character of the cottage 
 and villa architecture of England, that many an American, on 
 looking over the illustrated works of their writers on domestic 
 architecture, while he acknowledges their high scenic beauty, 
 generally regards them in much the same light as he does 
 Moore's description of the vale of Cashmere, in Lalla Rookli — 
 beautiful imaginative creations of the artist, but which can 
 never be realized in every-day life, and a comfortable dwell- 
 ing. The fact however is, it is well known, quite the con- 
 trary ; for many of the English country residences are really 
 far more beautiful than the pictorial representations ; and no 
 people gather around themselves more of those little comforts 
 and elegancies, which make up the sum total of home, than 
 the inhabitants of that highly cultivated and gardenesque 
 country. 
 
RURAL ARCHITFXTURE. 343 
 
 The leading principles which should be our guide in Land- 
 scape or Rural A rchitecture, have been condensed by an able 
 writer in the following heads. " 1st, As a useful art, in fit- 
 ness FOR THE END IN VIEW : 2d, as au art of design, in 
 EXPRESSION OF PURPOSE I 3d, as an art of taste, in expres- 
 sion OF some particular architectural style." 
 
 The most enduring and permanent source of beauty is, 
 undoubtedly, utility. In a country residence, therefore, of 
 whatever character, the comfort and convenience of the 
 various members of the family being the first and most im- 
 portant consideration, the quality of fitness is universally 
 appreciated and placed in the first rank. In many of those 
 articles of furniture or apparel which luxury or fashion has 
 brought into use, fitness or convenience often gives way to 
 beauty of form or texture : but in a habitation, intended to 
 shelter us from the heat and cold, as well as to give us an 
 opportunity to dispense the elegant hospitalities of refined 
 life — the neglect of the various indispensable conveniences 
 and comforts which an advanced state of civilization require, 
 would be but poorly compensated for, by a fanciful exterior 
 or a highly ornate style of building. Farther than this, fit- 
 ness will extend to the choice of situation ; selecting a shel- 
 tered site, neither too high, as upon the exposed summit of 
 bleak hills, nor too low, as in the lowest bottoms of damp 
 valleys ; but preferring those middle grounds which, while 
 they afford a free circulation of air, and a fine prospect, are 
 not detrimental to the health or enjoyment of the occupants. 
 A proper exposure is another subject, worthy of the attention 
 of either the architect or proprietor, as there are stormy, and 
 pleasant aspects or exposures in all climates. 
 
 However much the principle of fitness may be appreciated 
 and acted upon in the United States, we have certainly great 
 
344 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 need of apology for the flagrant and almost constant viola- 
 tion of the second principle, viz : the expression of purpose. 
 By the expression of purpose in buildings, is meant that archi- 
 tectural character, or ensemble^ which distinctly points out 
 the particular use or destination for which the edifice is in- 
 tended. In a dwelling-house, the expression of purpose is 
 conveyed by the chimney-tops, the porch or veranda, and 
 those various appendages indicative of domestic enjoyment, 
 which are needless, and therefore misplaced, in a public build- 
 ing. In a church, the spire or the dome, when present, at 
 once stamps the building with the expression of purpose ; and 
 the few openings and plain exterior, with the absence of chim- 
 neys, are the suitable and easily recognized characteristics of 
 the barn. Were any one to commit so violent an outrage 
 upon the principle of the expression of purpose as to sur- 
 mount his barns with the tall church spire, our feelings 
 would at once cry out against the want of propriety. Yet 
 hov/ often do we meet in the northern states, with stables 
 built after the models of Greek temples, and barns with ele- 
 gant Venetian shutters — to say nothing of mansions with 
 none but concealed chimney-tops, and without porches or 
 appendages of any kind, to give the least hint to the mind 
 of the doubting spectator, whether the edifice is a chapel, a 
 bank, a hospital, or the private dwelling of a man of wealth 
 and opulence ! 
 
 " Tlie expression of the purpose for which every building 
 is erected," says the writer before quoted, " is the first and 
 most essential beauty, and should be obvious from its archi- 
 tecture, although independent of any particular style ; in 
 the same manner as the reasons for things are altogether in- 
 dependent of the language in which they are conveyed. As 
 in literary composition, no beauty of language can ever com- 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 345 
 
 pensate for poverty of sense, so in architectural composition, 
 no beauty of style can ever compensate for want of expres- 
 sion of purpose." Applying this excellent principle to our 
 own country houses and their offices or out-buildings, we 
 think every reasonable person will, at the first glance, see 
 how lamentably deficient are many of the productions of our 
 architects and builders, in one of the leading principles of the 
 art. The most common form for an American country villa 
 is the pseudo-Greek Temple ; that is, a rectangular oblong 
 building, with the chimney-tops concealed, if possible, and 
 instead of a pretty and comfortable porch, veranda, or piazza, 
 four, six, or eight lofty wooden columns are seen supporting 
 a portico, so high as neither to afford an agreeable promenade, 
 nor a sufficient shelter from the sun and rain. 
 
 There are two features, which it is now generally admitted, 
 contribute strongly to the expression of purpose in a dwelling- 
 house, and especially in a country residence. These are 
 the chimney-tops and the entrance porch. Chimney-tops, 
 with us, are generally square masses of brick, rising above 
 the roof, and presenting certainly no very elegant appearance — 
 which may perhaps serve as the apology of those who stu- 
 diously conceal them. But in a climate where fires are re- 
 quisite during a large portion of the year, chimney-tops are 
 expressive of a certain comfort resulting from the use of 
 them, which characterizes a building intended for a dwelling 
 in that climate. Chimney-tops being never, or rarely, placed 
 on those buildings intended for the inferior animals, are 
 also undoubtedly strongly indicative of human habitations. 
 Instead, therefore, of hiding or concealing them, they should 
 be in all dwellings not only boldly avowed, but rendered 
 ornamental ; for whatever is a characteristic and necessary 
 feature, should undoubtedly, if possible, be rendered elegant, 
 or at least prevented from being ugly. 
 
 11 
 
346 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 Much of the picturesque effect of the old EngHsh and 
 ItaUan houses, undoubtedly arises from the handsome and 
 curious stacks of chimneys, which spring out of their roofs. 
 These, while they break and diversify the sky-outline of the 
 building, enrich and give variety to its most bare and unor- 
 namented part. Examples are not wanting, in all the differ- 
 ent styles of architecture, of handsome and characteristic chim- 
 neys, which may be adopted in any of our dwellings of a 
 similar style. The Gothic, or old English chimney, with 
 octagonal or cylindrical flues or shafts united in clusters, is 
 made in a great variety of forms, either of bricks, or artificial 
 stone. The former materials, moulded in the required shape, 
 are highly taxed in England, while they may be very 
 cheaply made here. 
 
 A Porch strengthens or conveys expression of purpose, 
 because, instead of leaving the entrance door bare, as in 
 manufactories and buildings of an inferior description, it 
 serves both as a note of preparation, and an effectual shelter 
 and protection to the entrance. Besides this, it gives a dig- 
 nity and importance to that entrance, pointing it out to the 
 stranger as the place of approach. A fine countiy house? 
 without a porch or covered shelter to the doorway of some 
 description, is therefore, as incomplete, to the correct eye, as a 
 well-printed book without a title page, leaving the stranger 
 to plunge at once in media res, without the friendly prepa- 
 ration of a single word of introduction. Porches are suscep- 
 tible of every variety of form and decoration, from the em- 
 battled and buttressed portal of the Gothic castle, to the lat- 
 ticed arbor-porch of the cottage, around which the festoons 
 of luxuriant climbing jdants cluster, giving an effect not less 
 beautiful than the richly carved capitals of the classic por- 
 tico. 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 347 
 
 In this country, no architectural feature is more plainly 
 expressive of purpose in our dwelling-houses than the ve- 
 randa, or piazza. The unclouded splendor and fierce heat of 
 our summer sun, render this very general appendage a source 
 of real comfort and enjoyment ; and the long veranda romid 
 many of our country residences stand in stead of the paved 
 terraces of the English mansions as the place for promenade ; 
 while during the warmer portions of the season, half of the 
 days or evenings are there passed in the enjoyment of the 
 cool breezes, secure under low roofs supported by the open 
 colonnade, from the solar rays, or the dews of night. The 
 obvious utility of the veranda in this climate, (especially in 
 the middle and southern states,) will, therefore, excuse its 
 adoption into any style of architecture that may be selected 
 for our domestic uses, although abroad, buildings in the 
 style in question, as the Gothic, for example, are not usually 
 accompanied by such an appendage. An artist of the least 
 taste or invention, will easily compose an addition, of this 
 kind, that will be in good keeping with the rest of the 
 edifice. 
 
 These various features, or parts of the building, with many 
 others which convey expressioii of purpose in domestic ar- 
 chitecture, because they recall to the mind the different uses 
 to which they are applied, and the several enjoyments con- 
 nected with them, also contribute greatly to the interest of the 
 building itself, and heighten its good effect as part of a har- 
 monious whole, in the landscape. The various projections 
 and irregularities, caused by verandas, porticoes, etc., serving 
 to connect the otherwise square masses of building, by gra- 
 dual transition, with the ground about it. 
 
 The reader, who thus recognizes features as expressive of 
 pui*f)ose in a dwelling intended for the habitation of man, we 
 
348 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 think, can be at no great loss to understand what would 
 be characteristic in out-buildings or offices, farm-houses? 
 lodges, stables, and the like, which are necessary structures 
 on a villa or mansion residence of much size or importance. 
 A proper regard to the expression of use or purpose, without 
 interfering with beauty of style, will confer at all times an- 
 other, viz. the beauty of truth, without which no building 
 can be completely satisfactory ; as deceptions of this kind, 
 (buildings appearing to be what they are not,) always go far 
 towards destroying in the mind those pleasurable emotions 
 felt on viewing any correct work of art, however simple in 
 character or design. 
 
 We have now to consider rural architecture under the 
 guidance of the third leading principle, as an art of taste. 
 The expression of architectural style in buildings is un- 
 doubtedly a matter of the first importance, and proper care 
 being taken not to violate fitness, and expression of purpose, 
 it may be considered as appealing most powerfully, at once, 
 to the mind of almost every person. Indeed, with many, it 
 is the only species of beauty which they perceive in build, 
 ings, and to it both convenience, and the expression of pur- 
 pose, are often ignorantly sacrificed. 
 
 A marked style of architecture, appears to us to have claims 
 for our admiration or preference for rural residences, for 
 several reasons. As it is intrinsically beautiful in itself; as 
 it interests us by means of the associations connected with it ; 
 as it is fitted to the wants and comforts of country life ; and, 
 as it is adapted to, or harmonizes with, the locality or scenery 
 where it is located. 
 
 The harmonious union of buildings and scenery, is a 
 point of taste that appears to be but little understood in 
 any country ; and, mainly, we believe, because the architect 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 349 
 
 and the landscape painter are seldom combined in the same 
 person, or are seldom consulted together. It is for this 
 reason that we so rarely see a country residence, or cottage and 
 its grounds, making such a composition as a landscape 
 painter would choose for his pencil. But it does not seem 
 difficult, with a slight recurrence to the leading principle 
 of unity of expression, to suggest a mode of immediately 
 deciding which style of building is best adapted to harmonize 
 with a certain kind of scenery. 
 
 The reader is, we trust, already familiar with our division 
 of landscapes into two natural classes, — the Graceful, and the 
 Picturesque, — and the two accordant systems of improvement 
 . in Landscape Gardening which we have based upon these 
 distinct characters. Now, in order to render our buildings 
 perfectly harmonious, we conceive it only to be necessary 
 to arrange (as we may very properly do) all the styles of 
 domestic architecture in corresponding divisions. 
 
 Some ingenious writer has already developed this idea, 
 and, following a hint taken from the two leading schools of 
 literature and art, has divided all architecture into the Clas- 
 sical and the Romantic schools of design. The Classical 
 comprises the Grecian style, and all its near and direct off- 
 spring, as the Roman, and Italian modes ; the Romantic 
 school, the Gothic style, with its numberless variations of 
 Tudor, Elizabethan, Flemish, and old English modes. 
 
 It is easy to see, at a glance, how well these divisions 
 correspond with our Graceful and Picturesque schools of 
 Landscape Gardening, so that indeed we might call the 
 Grecian, or Classical style the Graceful, and the Gothic 
 or'Romantic style, the Picturesque schools in architecture. 
 In classical buildings, as in graceful landscape, we are 
 led to admire simplicity of forms and outlines, purity of 
 
350 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 effect, and grace of composition. In the Romantic or Pic- 
 turesque buildings, we are struck by the irregularity of 
 forms and outlines, variety of effect, and boldness of com- 
 position. What, therefore, can be more evident in seeking 
 to produce unity of effect than the propriety of selecting 
 some variations of the classical style for Graceful landscape, 
 and some species of romantic irregular building for Pictu- 
 resque landscape? 
 
 In a practical point of view, all buildings which have 
 considerable simplicity of outline, a certain careful and 
 graceful style of ornament, and a polished and refined kind 
 of finish, may be considered as likely to harmonize best with 
 all landscape where the expression is that of simple or grace- 
 ful beauty — where the lawn or surface is level, or gently 
 imdulating, the trees rich and full in foliage and form, and 
 the general character of the scenery peaceful and beautiful. 
 Such are the Grecian, Roman, Tuscan, and the chaster Italian 
 styles. 
 
 On the other hand, buildings of more irregular outline, in 
 which appear bolder or ruder ornaments, and a certain free 
 and more rustic air in finishing, are those which should be 
 selected to accompany scenery of a wilder or more pictu- 
 resque character, abounding in striking variations of surface, 
 wood, and water. And these are the Castellated, the Tudor, 
 and the old English in all its forms. 
 
 There is still an intermediate kind of architecture, origi- 
 nally a variation of the classical style, but which, in be- 
 coming adapted to different and more picturesque situations, 
 has lost much of its graceful character, and has become quite 
 picturesque in its outlines and effects. Of this kind is the 
 Swiss, and the bracketed cottage, and the different highly 
 irregular forms of the Italian villa. The more simple and 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 351 
 
 regular variations of these modes of building, may be intro- 
 duced with good effect in any plain country, while the more 
 irregular and ai'tistical forms, have the happiest effect only in 
 more highly varied and suitable localities. 
 
 The Egyptian, one of the oldest architectural styles, 
 characterized by its heavy colossal forms, and almost sublime 
 expression, is supposed to have had its origin in caverns 
 hewn in the rocks. The Chinese style, easily known by 
 its waving lines, probably had its type in the eastern tent. 
 The Saracenic, or Moorish style, rich in fanciful decoration, 
 is striking and picturesque in its details, and is worthy of 
 the attention of the wealthy amateur. 
 
 Neither of these styles however, are, or can well be, 
 thoroughly adapted to our domestic purposes, as they are 
 wanting in fitness, and have comparatively few charms of 
 association for residents of this country. 
 
 The only styles at present in common use for domestic 
 architecture, throughout the enlightened portions of Europe 
 and America, are the Grecian and Gothic styles, or some 
 modifications of these two distinct kind of building. These 
 modifications, which of themselves are now considered 
 styles by most authors, are, the Roman and modern Italian 
 styles, which have grown out of Greek architecture; the 
 Castellated, the Tudor, the Elizabethan and the rural 
 Gothic, or old English cottage styles, all of which are 
 variations of Gothic architecture. 
 
 Grecian or classic architecture, was exhibited in its purity 
 in those splendid temples of the golden days of Athens, 
 which still remain in a sufficient degree of preservation to 
 bear ample testimony to the high state of architectural art 
 among the Greeks. The best works of that period are 
 always characterized by unity, and simplicity, and in them 
 
352 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 an exquisite proportion is united with a chasteness of 
 decoration, which stamps them perfect works of art. Each 
 of the five orders was so nicely determined by their pro- 
 found knowledge of the harmony of forms, and admirably 
 executed, that all modern attempts at improving them have 
 entirely failed, for they are, individually, complete models. 
 
 " First unadorned 
 
 And nobly plain, the manly Doric rose ; 
 
 The Ionic then with decent matron grace 
 
 Her airy pillar heaved ; luxuriant last 
 
 The rich Corinthian spread her wanton wreath." 
 
 A single or double portico of columns supporting a lofty 
 pediment, the latter connected with the main body of the 
 building, which in most cases was a simple parallelogram, 
 were the characteristic features of the pure Grecian archi- 
 tecture. And this very simplicity of form, united with the 
 chasteness of decoration, and elegance of proportion, en- 
 hanced greatly the beauty of the Grecian temple as a whole. 
 
 To the scholar, and the man of refined and cultivated mind, 
 the associations connected with Grecian architecture are of 
 the most delightful character. They transport him back, in 
 imagination, to the choice days of classic literature and art, 
 when the disciples of the wisest and best of Athens, listened 
 to eloquent discourses that were daily delivered from her 
 grove-embowered porticoes. When her temples were de- 
 signed by a Phidias, and her architecture encouraged and 
 patronized by a Pericles ; when, in short, all the splendor of 
 Pagan mythology, and the wisdom of Greek philosophy were 
 combined to perfect the arts and sciences of that period, and 
 the temples, dedicated to the Olympian Jove or the stately 
 Minerva, were redolent with that beauty, which the Greeks 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 353 
 
 Worshipped, studied, and so well knew how to embody in 
 material forms. 
 
 As it is admitted then, that Grecian architecture is intrin- 
 sically beautiful in itself, and highly interesting in point of 
 associations, it may be asked what are the objections, if any, 
 to its common introduction into domestic Rural Architecture. 
 
 To this we answer, that although this form meagerly 
 copied. Fig. 38, is actually in more common use than any 
 other style, in the United States, it is greatly inferior to the 
 Oothic and its modifications in fitness, including under that 
 head all the comforts and conveniences of country life. 
 
 [Fig. 38. Grecian Residence.] 
 
 We have already avowed that we consider fitness, and ex- 
 pression of purpose, two leading principles of the first impor- 
 tance in Rural Architecture ; and Grecian architecture in its 
 pure form, viz : the temple, when applied to the purposes of 
 domestic life, makes a sad blow at both these established 
 rules. As a public building, the Greek temple form is per- 
 fect, both as to fitness, (having one or more large rooms,) and 
 expression of purpose ; — showing a high broad portico for 
 masses of people, with an ample opening for egress and in- 
 gress. Domestic life, on the contrary, requires apartments 
 
 45 
 
354 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING, 
 
 of various dimensions, some large and others smaller, which, 
 to be conveniently, must often be irregularly placed, with 
 perhaps openings or Avindows of different sizes or dimensions. 
 The comforts of a country residence are so various, that 
 verandas, porches, wings of different sizes, and many other 
 little accommodations expressive of purpose, become neces- 
 sary, and therefore when properly arranged, add to the 
 beauty of Rural Architecture. But the admirer of the pure 
 Greek models is obliged to forego the majority of these ; and 
 to come within the prescribed form of the rectangular paral- 
 lelogram, his apartments must be of a given size and a 
 limited number, while many things, both exterior and in- 
 terior, which convenience might otherwise prompt, have to 
 bow to the despotic SAvay of the pure Greek model."* In a 
 dwelling of moderate dimensions how great a sacrifice of 
 room is made to enable the architect to display the jtortico 
 alone ! We speak now, chiefly, of houses of the ordinary 
 size, for if one chooses to build a palace, it is evident that 
 ample accommodations may be obtained in any style. 
 
 It has been well observed by 
 modern critics, that there is no 
 reason to believe the temple 
 form was ever, even by the 
 Greeks, used for private dwell- 
 ings, which easily accounts for 
 our comparative failure, in 
 constructing well arranged, 
 [Fig. 39. Roman Residence.] Small resideuces lu thls stylc' 
 
 * We are well aware that such is the rage for this style among us, just now, 
 and so completely have our builders the idea of its unrivalled supremacy in their 
 heads, that many submit to the most meagre conveniences, under the name of 
 closets, Ubraries, etc., in our country houses, without a murmur, believing that they 
 are realizing the perfection of domestic comfort. 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 
 
 355 
 
 The Romans, either unable to compose in the simple ele- 
 gance and beauty of the Grecian style, or feeling its want of 
 adaptation to the multifarious usages of a more luxurious 
 state of society, created for themselves what is generally con- 
 sidered a less beautiful and perfect, yet which is certainly a 
 more rich, varied, and, if we may use the term, accommoda- 
 ting style. The Roman style is distinguished from its pro- 
 totype by the introduction of arched openings over the doors 
 and windows, story piled over story, — often with columns 
 of different orders — instead of the simple unbroken line 
 of the Greek edifices. In decoration, the buildings in this 
 style vary from plain, miornamented exteriors, to the most 
 
 [Fig. 40. View at Presque Isle, the residence of Wra- Denning, Esq., Dutcliess Co., N.Y.] 
 
 highly decorated facades ; and instead of being confined to 
 the few fixed princijoles of the Greek, the greatest latitude 
 is often observed in the proportions, forms and decorations 
 
356 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 of buildings in the Roman style. These very circumstances, 
 while they rendered the style less perfect as a fine art, or for 
 public edifices, gave it a pliability, or facility of adaptation, 
 which fits it more completely for domestic purposes. For 
 this reason, a great portion of the finest specimens of the 
 modern domestic architecture of the other continent, is to 
 be found in the Roman style.* 
 
 The Italian style is, we think, decidedly the most beauti- 
 ful mode for domestic purposes, that has been the direct off- 
 spring of Grecian art. It is a style which has evidently 
 grown up under the eyes of the painters of more modern 
 Italy, as it is admirably adapted to harmonize with general 
 nature, and produce a pleasing and picturesque effect in fine 
 landscapes. Retaining more or less of the columns, arches, 
 and other details of the Roman style, it has intrinsically a bold 
 irregularity, and strong contrast of light and shadow, which 
 give it a peculiarly striking and painter-like effect. 
 
 " The villa architecture of modern Italy," says Mr. Lamb, 
 an able architect,! "is characterized, when on a moderate 
 scale, by scattered irregular masses, great contrasts of light 
 and shade, broken and plain surfaces, and great variety of 
 outline against the sky. The blank wall on which the eye 
 sometimes reposes ; the towering campanile, boldly con- 
 trasted with the horizontal line of roof only broken by a few 
 straggling chimney-tops : the row of equal sized, closely 
 placed windows, contrasting with the plain space and single 
 window of the projecting balcony ; the prominent portico, 
 the continued arcade, the terraces, and the variously formed 
 
 * Perhaps the finest facade of a private residence, in America, is tliat of the 
 " Patroon's house," near Albany, the ancient seat of the Van Rensselaer family, 
 lately remodelled and improved by that skilful architect, Mr. Upjohn, of New-York. 
 
 t Loudon's Ency. of Arch. p. 951. 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 
 
 357 
 
 and disposed out-buildings, all combine to form that pictu- 
 resque whole, which distinguishes the modern Italian villa 
 from every other."* 
 
 A building in the Italian style, may readily be known at 
 first sight, by the peculiar appearance of its roofs. These are 
 always projecting at the eaves, and deeply furrowed or ridged. 
 
 [Fig. 41. A Villa in the Italian style.] 
 
 being formed abroad of semicylindrical tiles, which give a 
 distinct and highly marked expression to this portion of the 
 building.t So many appliances of comfort and enjoyment 
 suited to a warm climate, appear too, in the villas of this style, 
 that it has a peculiarly elegant and refined appearance. 
 Among these are arcades, with the Roman arched openings, 
 forming sheltered promenades ; and beautiful balconies pro- 
 jecting from single windows, or sometimes from connected 
 rows of windows which are charming places for a coujj (Tceil, 
 
 * In this country, owing to the greater number of fires, the effect would be 
 improved by an additional number of cWraiiey-tops. 
 
 t In some situations in this country, where it might be difficult to procure tiles 
 made in this form, their effect may be very accurately imitated by deeply ridged 
 zinc or tin coverings. The bold projection of the eaves, in the Italian style, offers 
 grt^t protection to a house against storms and dampness. 
 
358 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 or to enjoy the cool breeze — as they admit, to shelter one 
 from the sun, of a fanciful awning shade, which maybe raised 
 or lowered at pleasure. The windows themselves are bold, 
 and well marked in outline, being either round-arched at the 
 tops, or finished with a heavy architrave. 
 
 All these balconies, arcades, etc., are sources of real pleasure 
 in the hotter portions of our year, which are quite equal in 
 elevation of temperature to summers of the south of Eu- 
 rope ; while by increased thickness of walls, and closeness of 
 window fixtures, the houses may also be made of the most 
 comfortable description in winter. 
 
 [Fig. 42. Resilience of Gov. Morehead, Nortli-Carolina.] 
 
 The Italian chimney-tops, unlike the Grecian, are always 
 openly shown and rendered ornamental ; and as we have al- 
 ready mentioned, the irregularity in the masses of the edifice 
 and shape of the roof, renders the sky outline of a building 
 in this style, extremely picturesque. A villa, however small, 
 in the Italian style, may have an elegant and expressive cha- 
 racter, without interfering with convenient internal arrange- 
 ment, while at the same time, this style has the very great 
 merit of allowing additions to be made in almost any direc- 
 
Fig, 44 _ Villa of Theodore Lyman. E?q nenr Bootcu 
 
 F^g 45 Residence of Bishop X'oane, Burlingtc; 
 
RURAT. ARCHITECTURE. 
 
 359 
 
 tion, without injuring the 
 effect of the original struc- 
 ture ; indeed such is the 
 variety of sizes and forms, 
 which the different parts of 
 an Italian villa may take, 
 
 [Fig. 43. T„oNe..Haveu Suburban Vina.-] ^ pCrfcCt aCCOrdaUCC Wlth 
 
 architectural propriety, that the original edifice frequently 
 gains in beauty by additions of this description. Those 
 who are aware how many houses are every year erected in 
 the United States, by persons of moderate fortune, who would 
 gladly make additions at some subsequent period, could this 
 be done without injuring the effect or beauty of the main 
 building, will, we think, acknowledge how much, even were 
 it in this single point alone, the Italian style is superior to the 
 Grecian for rural residences.! 
 
 * New-Haven abounds with tasteful residences. •'Hillhouse Avenue" in 
 particular, is remarkable for a neat display of Tuscan or Italian Suburban Villas. 
 Moderate in dimension and economical in construction, these exceedingly neat 
 edifices, may be considered as models for this kind of dwelling. Fig. 43, without 
 being a precise copy of any one of these buildings, may be taken as a pretty accu- 
 rate representation of their general appearance. 
 
 t The villa of Theodore Lyman, Esq., at Brookline, near Boston, Fig. 44, 
 is a highly interesting specimen of this style, designed by Mr. Upjohn — ^beautiful 
 in exterior effect, and replete internally with every comfort and convenience. 
 
 Riverside Villa, the residence of Bishop Doane, at Burlington, New-Jersey, is one 
 of the best examples of the Italian style in this country. For the drawings from 
 whichjigures 45 and 46 are engraved, and for the following description, we are 
 indebted to the able architect, John Notman, Esq., of Philadelphia, from whose 
 designs the whole was constructed. 
 
 The site of this villa is upon the east bank of the Delaware river, near the town 
 of Burlington, and within a few rods of the margin of this lovely stream. 
 
 The Delaware, at this part of its course, takes a direction nearly west ; and 
 while the river front, (comprising the drawing-room, hall, and library,) command- 
 ing the finest water views, which are enjoyed to the greatest advantage in summer, 
 
360 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 Pleasing associations are connected with Roman and Ita- 
 lian architecture, especially to those who have studied their 
 
 has a cool aspect: the opposite side of the house, including the dining-room, 
 parlour, etc., is the favourite quarter in winter, being fully exposed to the genial 
 influence of the sunbeams during the absence of foliage at that season. From 
 this side of the house, a view is obtained of the pretty suburbs of Burlington, 
 studded with neat cottages and gardens. 
 
 In the accompanying plan,_^^. 46, a, is the hall; b, the vestibule ; c, the dining- 
 room ; d, the library ; e, the drawing-room ; /, the parlour ; g, Bishop D's room ; 
 h, dressing-room ; i, water closets ; j, bath-room ; Jc, store-room ; I, principal stairs ; 
 m, back stairs ; o, conservatory ; p, veranda, etc. 
 
 A small terrace with balustrade, which surrounds the hall door, gives impor- 
 tance to this leading feature of the entrance front. The hall, a, is 17 feet square ; 
 on the right of the arched entrance is a casement vdndow, opening to the floor, 
 occasionally used as a door in winter, when the wind is north. The vestibule b, 
 
 [Fig. 46. Plan of tlie Principal Floor.] 
 
 opens from the hall, 17 by 21 feet. In the ceiling of this central apartment is a 
 circular opening, with railing in the second story, forming a gallery above, which 
 communicates with the different chambers, and affords ventilation to the whole 
 house. Over this circular opening is a sky-light in the roof, which, mellowed and 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 361 
 
 effect in all the richness and beauty with which they are in- 
 vested in the countries where they originated ; and they may 
 be regarded with a degree of classic interest by every culti- 
 vated mind. The modern Italian style recalls images of that 
 land of painters and of the fine arts, where the imagination, 
 the fancy, and taste, still revel in a world of beauty and grace. 
 The great number of elegant forms which have grown 
 
 softened by a second coloured one below it, serves to light the vestibule. From 
 the vestibule we enter the dining-room, b, 17 by 25 feet. The fine vista through 
 the hall, vestibule, and dining-room, 70 feet in length, is here terminated by the 
 bay-window at the extremity of the dining-room, which, through the balcony, 
 opens on the lawn, varied by groups of shrubbery. On the left side of the ves- 
 tibule, through a wide circular headed opening, we enter upon the principal stairs, 
 I. This opening is balanced by a recess on the opposite side of the vestibule. 
 From the latter, a door also opens into the library, d, and another into the drawing- 
 room, e : offering, by a window in the library, in a line with these doors, another 
 fine vista in this direction. The library, 13 by 30 feet, and 16 feet high, is 
 fitted up in a rich and tasteful manner, and completely filled with choice 
 books. The bay-window, seen on the left in the perspective view, fig. 45, is a 
 prominent feature in tliis room, admitting, through its coloured panes, a pleasing, 
 subdued light, in keeping with the character of the apartment. The drawing-room 
 is 19 by 30 feet, with an enriched panelled ceiling, 15 feet high. At the extremity 
 of this apartment, the veranda, p, with a charming view, aflFords an agreeable 
 lounge in summer evenings, cooled by the breeze from tlie river. From the 
 drawing-room, a glazed door opens to the conservatory, o, and another door to the 
 parlour, /. The latter is 18 by 20 feet, looking across the lawn and into the 
 conservatory. Among the minor details are a china closet, r, and a butler's closet, 
 s, in the dining-room ; through the latter, the dishes are carried to and from the 
 kitchen, larder, etc. The smaller passage leading from the main staircase, opens 
 to the store-room, k, and other apartments already designated, and communicates, 
 by the back stairs, m, with the servants' chambers, placed over this part of the 
 house, apart from those in the main body of the edifice. The large kitchen area, 
 t, is sunk one story, by which the noise and smells of the kitchen, situated under 
 the dining-room, are entirely excluded from the principal story. In this sunk 
 story, are also a wash-room, scullery, and ample room for cellarage, wine, coals, 
 etc. A. forcing-pump supplies the whole house with water from the river ; and in 
 the second story are eight principal chambers, averaging 360 square feet each, 
 making in all 25 rooms in the house, of large size. 
 
 46 
 
362 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 out of this long cultivated feeling for the beautiful in the fine 
 arts, — in the shape of fine vases, statues, and other ornaments, 
 which harmonize with, and are so well adapted to enrich, 
 this style of architecture, — combine to render it in the fine 
 terraced gardens of Florence and other parts of Italy, one of 
 the richest and most attractive styles in existence. Indeed 
 we can hardly imagine a mode of building, which in the 
 hands of a man of wealth and taste, may, in this country, be 
 made productive of more beauty, convenience, and luxury, 
 than the modern Italian style ; so well suited to both our hot 
 summers and cold winters, and which is so easily suscep- 
 tible of enrichment and decoration, while it is at the same 
 time so well adapted to the material, in the most common use 
 at present in most parts of the country, — wood. Yases, and 
 other beautiful architectural ornaments, may now be pro- 
 cured in our cities, or imported direct from the Mediter- 
 ranean, finely cut in Maltese stone, at very moderate prices, 
 and which serve to decorate both the grounds and buildings 
 in a handsome manner. 
 
 From the Italian style it is an easy transition to the Swiss 
 mode, a bold and spirited one, highly picturesque and in- 
 teresting in certain situations. To build a Swiss cottage in 
 a smooth cultivated country, would, both as regards associa- 
 tion, and intrinsic want of fitness, be the height of folly. 
 But in a wild and mountainous region, such as the borders 
 of certain deep valleys and rocky glens in the Hudson 
 Highlands, or rich bits of the Alleghanies, positions may be 
 found where the Swiss cottage, (Fig. 46,) with its low and 
 broad roof, shedding otF the heavy snows, its ornamented 
 exterior gallery, its strong and deep brackets, and its rough 
 and rustic exteriour, would be in the highest degree ap- 
 propriate. 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 
 
 363 
 
 [Fig. 47. The Swiss Cottage.] 
 
 A modification, partaking somewhat of the Italian and 
 Swiss features, is what we have described more fully in our 
 "Cottage Residences" as the Bracketed mode. It pos- 
 sesses a good deal of character, is capable of considerable 
 
 [Fig. 43. The Bracketed Mode. J 
 
364 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 picturesque effect, — is very easily and cheaply constructed 
 of wood or stone, and is perhaps more entirely adapted to 
 our hot summers and cold winters than any other equally 
 simple mode of building. We hope to see this Bracketed 
 style becoming every day more common in the United 
 States, and especially in our farm and countiy houses, when 
 wood is the material employed in their construction. 
 
 Gothic^ or, more properly, pointed architecture, which 
 sprung up with the Christian religion, reached a point of 
 great perfection about the thirteenth century ; a period when 
 the most magnificent churches and cathedrals of England 
 and Germany were erected. These wonderful structures, 
 reared by an almost magical skill and contrivance, with their 
 richly groined roofs of stone, supported in mid-air ; their 
 beautiful and elaborate tracery and carving of plants, flowers, 
 and animate objects ; their large windows, through which 
 streamed a rich glow of rainbow light ; their various but- 
 tresses and pinnacles, all contributing to strengthen, and 
 at the same time give additional beauty to the exterior ; their 
 clustered columns, airy-like, yet firm ; and, surmounting the 
 whole, the tall spire, piled up to an almost fearful height 
 toward the heavens ; are lasting monuments of the genius, 
 scientific skill, and mechanical ingenuity of the artists of 
 those times. That person, who from ignorance or preju- 
 dice, fully supposes there is no architecture but that of 
 the Greeks, would do well to study one of these unrivalled 
 specimens of human skill. In so doing, unless he closes his 
 eyes against the evidences of his senses, he cannot but admit 
 that there is far more genius, and more mathematical skill, 
 evinced in one of these cathedrals, than would have been 
 requisite in the construction of the most celebrated of the 
 Greek temples. Though they may not exhibit that simpli- 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 365 
 
 city and harmony of proportion which Grecian buildings dis- 
 play, they abound in much higher proofs of genius, as is 
 abundantly evinced in the conception and execution of 
 cathedrals so abounding in unrivalled sublimity, variety, and 
 beauty. 
 
 Gothic architecture, in its purity, was characterized mainly 
 by the pointed arch. This novel feature in architecture? 
 which, probably, in the hands of artists of great mathema- 
 tical skill, was suggested by the inefficiency of the Roman 
 arch first used, has given rise to all the superior boldness and 
 picturesqueness of this style compared with the Grecian ; for 
 while the Greek artist was obliged to cover his narrow open- 
 ing with architraves, or solid blocks of stone, resting on 
 columns at short intervals, and filling up the open space, the 
 Gothic artist, by a single span of his pointed arch, resting on 
 distant pillars, kept the whole area beneath, free and unen- 
 cumbered. Applied, too, to openings for the admission of 
 light, which were deemed of comparatively little or no im- 
 portance by the Greeks, the arch was of immense value, 
 making it possible to pierce the solid wall with large and 
 lofty apertures, that diffiised a magical brilliancy of light, in 
 the otherwise dim and shadowy interior. 
 
 We have here adverted to the Gothic cathedral, (as we 
 did to the Greek temple,) as exhibiting the peculiar style in 
 question, in its greatest purity. For domestic purposes, both, 
 for the same reasons, are equally unfitted ; as they were 
 never so intended to be used by their original inventors, and 
 being entirely wanting in fitness for the purposes of 
 habitation in domestic life ; the Greek temple, as we have 
 already shown, from its massive porticoes, and the simple 
 rectangular form of its interior ; and the Gothic cathedral, 
 from its high-pointed windows, and immense vaulted apart- 
 
366 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 ments. It would scarcely, however, be more absurd to 
 build a miniature cathedral, for a dwelling in the Gothic 
 style, than to make an exact copy of the Temple of Minerva 
 30 by 50 feet in size, for a country residence, as we often 
 witness in this country. 
 
 The Gothic iStj/le, as applied to domestic Architecture, 
 has been varied and adapted in a great diversity of ways, to 
 the wants of society in different periods, from the 12th cen- 
 tury to the present time. The baronial castle of feudal days, 
 perched upon its solitary, almost inaccessible height, and 
 built strongly, for defence ; the Collegiate or monastic abbey 
 of the monks, suited to the rich fertile plains which these 
 jolly ascetics so well knew how to select ; the Tudor or 
 Elizabethan mansion, of the English gentleman, surrounded 
 by its beautiful park, filled with old ancestral trees ; and the 
 pretty, rural, gabled cottage, of more humble pretensions ; are 
 all varieties of this multiform style, easily adapting itself to 
 the comforts and conveniences of private life. 
 
 Contrasted with Classic Architecture and its varieties, in 
 which horizontal lines are most prevalent, all the different 
 Gothic modes or styles, exhibit a preponderance of vertical, 
 or perpendicular lines. In the purer Gothic Architecture, 
 the style is often determined by the form of the arch predomi- 
 nant in the window and door openings, which in all edi- 
 fices, (except Norman buildings,) were lancet-shaped, or high 
 pointed, in the 13th century ; four-centred, or low arched, 
 in the times of Henry VII. and VIII., and finally square- 
 headed, as in most domestic buildings of later date. 
 
 Castellated Gothic is easily known, at first sight, by the 
 line of battlements cut out of the solid parapet wall, which 
 surmounts the outline of the building in every part. These 
 generally conceal the roof, which is low, and were originally 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 
 
 367 
 
 intended as a shelter to 
 those engaged in defend- 
 ing the building against 
 assaults. Modern build- 
 ings in the castellated 
 style, without sacrificing 
 almost every thing to 
 [Fig. 49, The Castellated mode.] Strength, as was oncc 
 
 necessary, preserve the general character of the ancient 
 castle, while they combine with it almost every modern 
 luxury. In their exteriors, we perceive strong and massive 
 octagonal or circular towers, rising boldly, with corbelled 
 or projecting cornices, above the ordinary level of the 
 building. The windows are either pointed or square-headed, 
 or perhaps a mixture of both. The porch rises into a turret- 
 ed and embattled gateway, and all the offices and out-build- 
 ings connected with the main edifice, are constructed in a 
 style corresponding to that exhibited in the main body of the 
 building. The whole is placed on a distinct and firm ter- 
 race of stone, and the expression of the edifice is that of 
 strength and security. 
 
 This mode of building is evidently of too ambitious and 
 expensive a kind, for a republic, where landed estates are not 
 secured by entail, but divided, according to the dictates of 
 nature, among the different members of a family. It is, per- 
 haps, also rather wanting in appropriateness ; castles never 
 having been used for defence in this country. Notwith- 
 standing these objections, there is no very weighty reason why 
 a wealthy proprietor should not erect his mansion in the cas- 
 tellated style, if that style be in unison with his scenery and 
 locality. Few instances, however, of sufficient wealth and 
 taste to produce edifices of this kind, are to be met with 
 
368 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 among us ; and the castellated style is therefore one which 
 we cannot fully recommend for adoption here. Paltry imi- 
 tations of it, in materials less durable than brick or stone, 
 would be discreditable to any person having the least preten- 
 sion to correct taste. 
 
 The Castellated style never appears completely at home 
 except in wild and romantic scenery, or in situations where 
 the neighbouring mountains, or wild passes, are sufficiently 
 near to give that character to the landscape. In such locali- 
 ties the Gothic castle affects us agreeably, because we know 
 that baronial castles were generally built in similar spots, 
 and because the battlements, towers, and other bold featm-es, 
 combine well with the rugged and spirited character of the 
 surrounding objects. To place such a building in this coun- 
 try on a smooth surface in the midst of fertile plains, would 
 immediately be felt to be bad taste by every one, as from the 
 style not having been before our eyes from childhood, as it is 
 in Europe, we immediately refer to its original purposes, — 
 those of security and defence. 
 
 A mansion in the Tudor Style affords the best example 
 of the excellency of Gothic architecture for domestic pur- 
 poses. The roof often rises boldly here, instead of being 
 concealed by the parapet wall, and the gables are either plain, 
 or ornamental with crockets. The windows are divided by 
 mullions, and are generally enriched with tracery in a style 
 less florid than that employed in churches, but still suffi- 
 ciently elegant to give an appearance of decoration to these 
 parts of the building. Sometimes the low, or Tudor arch, is 
 displayed in the window-heads, but most commonly the 
 square-headed window with the Gothic label is employed. 
 Great latitude is allowed in this particular, as well as in the 
 size of the window, provided the general details of style are 
 
jc6 of Joel Ratlib'ino. Esq noai- -Mban-v^, N, Y 
 
 Fig 52 Mr Paulding's Residence, Tarrytown, N T. 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 369 
 
 attended to. Indeed, in the domestic architecture of this era, 
 the windows and doors are often sources of great architectu- 
 ral beauty, instead of being left mere bare openings filled 
 with glass as in the Classic styles. Not only is each indi- 
 vidual window divided by mullions, in compartments whose 
 tops are encircled by tracery ; but in particular apartments, 
 as the dining-hall, library, etc., these are filled with richly 
 stained glass, which gives a mellow pleasing light to the 
 apartment. Added to this, the windows, in the best Tudor 
 mansions, affected a great variety of forms and sizes. Among 
 these stand conspicuous, the bay, and oriel windows. The 
 bay-window, which is introduced on the first or principal floor, 
 in most apartments, of much size or importance, is a win- 
 dow of treble or quadruple the common size, projecting from 
 the main body of the room in a semi-octagonal or hexagonal 
 form, thereby affording more space in the apartment, from 
 the floor to the ceiling, as well as giving an abundance of 
 light, and a fine prospect in any favourite direction. This, 
 while it has a grander effect than several windows of mode- 
 rate size, gives a variety of form and outline to the different 
 apartments, that can never be so well attained when the 
 windows are mere openings cut in the solid walls. The oriel- 
 window is very similar to the bay-window, but projecting 
 in a similar manner from the upper story, supported on cor- 
 belled mouldings. These windows are not only elegant in 
 the interior, but by standing out from the face of the walls, 
 they prevent any thing like too great a formality externally, 
 and bestow a pleasing variety on the different fronts of the 
 building 
 
 The sky outline of a villa in the Tudor Gothic style, is 
 highly picturesque. It is made up of many fine features. 
 The pointed gables, with their finials, are among the most 
 
 47 
 
370 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 Striking, and the neat parapet wall, either covered with a 
 moulded coping, or, perhaps, diversified with battlements ; 
 the latter not so massive as in th. castellated style, but evi- 
 dently intended for ornament only. The roof line is often 
 varied by the ornamented gablet of a dormer window, rising 
 here and there, and adding to the quaintness of the whole. 
 We must not forget, above all, the highly enriched chim- 
 ney shaft, which, in the English examples, is made of 
 fancifully moulded bricks, and' is carried up in clusters 
 some distance above the roof. How much more pleasing 
 for a dwelling must be the outline of such a building, than 
 that of a simple square roof whose summit is one unbroken 
 straight line !* 
 
 The enclosed entrance porch, approached by three or four 
 stone steps, with a seat or two for servants waiting, is a dis- 
 tinctive mark of all the old English houses. This projects, 
 in most cases, from the main body of the edifice, and opens 
 directly into the hall. The latter apartment is not merely, 
 (as in most of our modern houses,) an entry, narrow and 
 long, running directly through the house, but has a peculiar 
 character of its own, being rather spacious, the roof or ceil- 
 ing ribbed or groined, and the floor often inlaid with marble 
 tiles. A corresponding and suitable style of finish, with 
 gothic details, runs through all the different apartments, 
 each of which, instead of being finished and furnished with 
 the formal sameness here so prevalent, displays, according 
 to its peculiar purposes — as the dming-room, drawing-room, 
 libraiy, etc. — a marked and characteristic air. 
 
 * Two miles south of Albany, on a densely wooded hill, is the villa of Joel 
 Rathbone, Esq., Fig. 51, one of the most complete specimens of the Tndor style in 
 the United States. It was built from the designs of Davis, and is, to the amateur, 
 a very instructive example of this mode of domestic architecture. 
 
Fig 53. Residence of the Aiithor, near Newburgh, N T. 
 
 Fig. 54 Cottage of S. E. Lyon, Esq. White Plains, 'N, T. 
 
 371 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 371 
 
 We have thus particularized the Tudor mansion, because 
 we beheve that for a cold country like England or the 
 United States, it has strong claims upon the attention of 
 large landed proprietors, or those who wish to realize in a 
 country residence the greatest amount of comfort and enjoy- 
 ment. With the addition, here, of a veranda, which the 
 cool summers of England render needless, we believe the 
 Tudor Gothic to be the most convenient and comfortable, 
 and decidedly the most picturesque and striking style, for 
 country residences of a superior class.* The materials gene- 
 rally employed in their construction in England, are stone 
 and brick ; and of late years, brick and stucco has come into 
 very general use. 
 
 The Elizabethan Style, that mode of building so com- 
 mon in England in the 17th century, — a mixture of Gothic 
 and Grecian in its details — is usually considered as a bar- 
 barous kind of architecture, wanting in purity of taste. Be 
 this as it may, it cannot be denied that in the finer specimens 
 of this style, there is a surprising degree of richness and 
 picturesqueness for which we may look in vain elsewhere. 
 In short it seems, in the best examples, admirably fitted 
 for a bowery, thickly foliaged country, like England, and 
 for the great variety of domestic enjoyments of its inhabi- 
 tants. In the most florid examples of this style, of which 
 many specimens yet remain, we often meet with every kind 
 of architectural feature and ornament, oddly, and often 
 grotesquely combined — pointed gables, dormer-windows, 
 steep and low roofs, twisted columns, pierced parapets, and 
 
 * The residence of Samuel E. Lyon, Esq., at White Plains, N. Y., Fig. 54, is a 
 very pleasing example of the Tudor Cottage. 
 
 The seat of Robert Gilmor, Esq., near Baltimore, in the Tudor style, is a very 
 extensive pile of building. 
 
372 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 broad windows with small lights. Sometimes, the effect of 
 this fantastic combination is excellent, but often bad. The 
 florid Elizabethan style, is, therefore, a very dangerous one 
 in the hands of any one but an architect of profound taste ; 
 but we think in some of its simpler forms, (fig. 55,) it may 
 be adopted for country residences here in picturesque situa- 
 tions with a quaint and happy effect.* 
 
 The English cottage style, or what we have denomina- 
 ted Rural Gotliic, contains within itself all the most stri- 
 king and peculiar elements of the beautiful and picturesque 
 in its exterior, while it admits of the greatest possible variety 
 of accommodation and convenience in internal arrangement. 
 
 In its general composition, Rural Gothic really differs from 
 the Tudor style more in that general swvplicity which serves 
 to distinguish a cottage or villa of moderate size from a man- 
 sion, than inany marked character of its own. The square- 
 headed windows preserve the same form, and display the 
 Gothic label and mullions, though the more expensive finish 
 of decorative traceiy is frequently omitted. Diagonal, or 
 latticed lights 'are also more commonly seen in the cottage 
 style, than in the mansion. The general form and arrange- 
 ment of the building, though, of course, much reduced, is 
 
 * A highly unique residence in the old English style, is Pelham Priory, the seat 
 of the Rev. Robert Bolton, near New Rochelle, N. Y., Fig., 56. The exterior is 
 massive and picturesque, in the simplest taste of the Elizabethan age, and being 
 built amidst a fine oak wood, of the dark rough stone of the neighborhood, it has 
 at once the appearance of considerable antiquity. The interior is constructed 
 and fitted up throughout in the same feeling, — with harmonious wainscoting, quaint 
 car\ing, massive chimney pieces, and old furniture and armour. Indeed we 
 doubt if there is, at the present moment, any recent private residence, even in 
 Eneland, where the spirit of the antique is more entirely carried out, and where 
 one may more easily fancy himself in one of those " mansions builded curiously" 
 of our ancestors in the time of " good Queen Bess." 
 
Fig. 55. A Mans.OQ m the El 7abethan style 
 
 •Fig 50. The Residencs of i; Bolton, near New Rochei "i 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 373 
 
 not unlike that of the latter edifice. The entrance porch is 
 always preserved, and the bay window jutting out from the 
 best apartment, gives variety, and an agreeable expression of 
 use and enjoyment, to almost every specimen of the old Eng- 
 lish cottage. 
 
 Perhaps the most striking feature of this charming 
 style as we see it in the best old English cottages, is the 
 pointed gable. This feature, which grows out of the high 
 roofs adopted, not only appears in the two ends of the main 
 building, but terminates every Aving or projection of almost 
 any size that joins to the principal body of the house. The 
 gables are either of stone or brick, with a handsome moulded 
 coping, or they are finished with the widely projecting roof 
 of wood, and verge boards, carved in a fanciful and highly 
 decorative shape. In either case, the point or apex is 
 crowned by a finial, or ornamented octagonal shaft, render- 
 ing the gable one of the greatest sources of interest in these 
 dwellings. The projecting roof renders the walls always dry. 
 
 The porch, the labelled windows, the chimney shafts, and 
 the ornamented gables, being the essential features in the 
 composition of the English cottage style, it is evident that 
 this mode of building is highly expressive of purpose, for 
 country residences of almost every description and size, from 
 the humblest peasant's cottage, to the beautiful and pictu- 
 resque villa of the retired gentleman of fortune. In the 
 simple form of the cottage, the whole may be constructed of 
 wood very cheaply, and in the more elaborate villa residence, 
 stone, or brick and cement may be preferred, as being more 
 permanent. No style so readily admits of enrichment as 
 that of the old English cottage when on a considerable scale ; 
 and by the addition of pointed verandas, bay windows, and 
 dormer-windows, by the introduction of mullions and tracery 
 
374 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 in the window openings, and indeed, by a multitude of in- 
 terior and exterior enrichments generally applied to the 
 Tudor mansions, a villa in the rural Gothic style may be 
 made a perfect gem of a country residence. Of all the 
 styles hitherto enumerated, we consider this one of the most 
 suitable for this country, as, while it comes within the 
 reach of all persons of moderate means, it unites as we before 
 stated, so much of convenience and rural beauty.* 
 
 To the man of taste, there is no style which presents 
 greater attractions, being at once rich in picturesque beau- 
 ty, and harmonious in connection with the surrounding 
 forms of vegetation. The Grecian villa, with its simple 
 forms and horizontal lines, seems to us only in good keeping 
 when it is in a smooth highly cultivated peaceful scene. 
 But the Rural Gothic, the lines of which point upwards, in 
 the pyramidal gables, tall clusters of chimneys, finials, and 
 the several other portions of its varied outline, harmonizes 
 easily with the tall trees, the tapering masses of foliage, or 
 the surrounding hills ; and while it is seldom or never 
 misplaced in spirited rural scenery, it gives character and 
 picturesque expression to many landscapes entirely devoid 
 of that quality. 
 
 What we have already said in speaking of the Italian style, 
 respecting the facility with which additions may be made to 
 
 * The only objection that can be urged against this mode of building, is lliat 
 which applies to all cottages with a low second story, viz : want of coolness in 
 the sleeping chambers during mid-summer. An evil which may bo remedied 
 by constructing a false inner-roof— leaving a vacuity between the two roofs of six 
 or eight inches, which being occupied with air, and ventilated at the top will almost 
 entirely obviate the objection. 
 
 In our Cottage Residences, Design II., we have shown how the comfort of a 
 full second storj', suitable for tliis climate, may be combined with the expression 
 of the English cottage style. 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 375 
 
 irregular houses, applies with equal, or even greater force, to 
 the varieties of the Gothic style, just described. From the 
 very fact that the highest beauty of these modes of building 
 arises from their irregularity, (opposed to Grecian architec- 
 ture, which, in its chaste simplicity, should be regular,) it is 
 evident that additions judiciously made, will tend to increase 
 this beauty, or afford more facility for its display ; while it 
 is equally evident that in the interior arrangement, including 
 apartments of every description, superior opportunities are 
 afforded for attaining internal comfort and convenience, as 
 well as external effect. 
 
 The ideas connected in our minds with Gothic architec- 
 ture are of a highly romantic and j)oetical nature, contrasted 
 with the classical associations which the Greek and Roman 
 styles suggest. Although our own country is nearly destitute 
 of ruins, and ancient time-worn edifices, yet the literature of 
 Europe, and particularly of what we term the mother coun- 
 try, is so much our own, that we form a kind of delightful 
 ideal aquaintance with the venerable castles, abbeys, and 
 strong-holds of the middle ages. Romantic, as is the real 
 history of those times and places, to our minds their charm 
 is greatly enhanced by distance, by the poetry of legendary 
 superstition, and the fascination of fictitious narrative. A cas- 
 tellated residence, therefore, in a wild and picturesque situa- 
 tion, may be interesting, not only from its being perfectly in 
 keeping with surrounding nature, but from the delightful 
 manner in which it awakens associations fraught with the 
 most enticing history of the past. 
 
 The older domestic architectm-e of the English may be 
 viewed in another pleasing light. Their buildings and resi- 
 dences have not only the recommendation of beauty and com- 
 plete adaptation, but the additional charm of having been the 
 
376 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 homes of our ancestors, and the dwelUngs of that bright 
 galaxy of English genius and worth, which illuminates equal- 
 ly the intellectual firmament of both hemispheres. He, who 
 has extended his researches, con amore,into the history of the 
 domestic life and habits of those illustrious minds, will not, 
 we are sure, forget that lowly cottage by the side of the Avon, 
 where the great English bard was wont to dwell ; the taste- 
 ful residence of Pope at Twickenham ; or the turrets and 
 battlements of the more picturesque Abbotsford ; and num- 
 berless other examples of the rural buildings of England, 
 once the abodes of renowned genius. In truth, the cottage 
 and villa architecture of the English, has grown out of the 
 feelings and habits of a refined and cultivated people, whose 
 devotion to countiy life, and fondness for all its pleasures, 
 are so finely displayed in the beauty of their dwellings, and 
 tlic exquisite keeping of their buildings and grounds. 
 
 We must be permitted to quote, in further proof of English 
 taste and habits, and their results in their comitry residences, 
 the testimony of our countryman, Washington Irving, in one 
 of his most elegant essays. " The taste of the English in 
 the cultivation of land, and in what is called Landscape 
 Gardening, is unrivalled. They have studied nature intent- 
 ly, and discovered an exquisite sense of her beautiful forms 
 and harmonious combinations. Those charms which in 
 other countries she lavishes in wild solitudes, are here 
 assembled around the haunts of domestic life. They seem 
 to have caught her coy and furtive graces, and spread them 
 like witchery about their rural abodes. Nothing can be 
 more imposing than the magnificence of English park 
 scenery. Vast lawns that extend like sheets of vivid green, 
 with here and there clumps of gigantic trees heaping up 
 rich piles of foliage. The solemn group of groves and 
 
Rural architecture. 377 
 
 woodland glades, with the deer trooping in silent herds 
 across them ; the hare bounding away to the covert, or the 
 pheasant bursting suddenly upon the wing. The brook, 
 taught to wind in natural meanderings, or expand into a 
 glassy lake, — the -sequestered pool reflecting the quivering 
 trees, with the yellow leaf sleeping upon its bosom, and the 
 trout roaming fearlessly about its limpid waters ; while some 
 rustic temple or sylvan statue, grown green and dark with 
 age, gives an air of classic sanctity to the seclusion." 
 
 "These are but a few of the features of park scenery ; but 
 what most delights me, is the creative talent with which the 
 English decorate the unostentatious abodes of middle life. 
 The rudest habitation, the most unpromising and scanty por- 
 tion of land, in the hands of an Englishman of taste, becomes 
 a little paradise. With a nicely discriminating eye he seizes 
 at once upon its capabilities, and pictures in his mind the 
 future landscape. The sterile spot grows into loveliness 
 under his hand ; and yet the operations of art which produce 
 the effect are scarcely to be perceived ; the cherishing and 
 training of some trees ; the cautious pruning of others ; the 
 nice distribution of flowers and plants of tender and graceful 
 foliage ; the introduction of a green slope of velvet turf ; the 
 partial opening to a peep of blue distance, or silver gleam 
 of water, — all these are managed with a delicate tact, a per- 
 vading, yet quiet assiduity, like the magic touchings with 
 which a painter finishes up a favourite picture."' 
 
 " The residence of people of fortune and refinement in the 
 country, has diffused a degree of taste and elegance that de- 
 scends to the lowest class. The very labourer, with his 
 thatched cottage and narrow slip of ground, attends to their 
 embellishment. The trim hedge, the grass-plot before the 
 door, the little flower bed, bordered with snug box, the wood- 
 
 48 
 
378 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 bine trained up against the wall, and hanging its blossoms 
 about the lattice ; the pot of flowers in the window ; the 
 holly providentially planted about the house to cheat winter 
 of its dreariness, and to throw in a semblance of green sum- 
 mer to cheat the fireside ; — all these bespeak the influence 
 of taste flowing down from high sources, and pervading the 
 lowest levels of the public mind. If ever love, as the poets 
 sing, delights to visit a cottage, it must be the cottage of an 
 English peasant."' 
 
 It is this love of rural life and this nice feeling of the har- 
 monious union of nature and art, that reflects so much credit 
 upon the English as a people, and, which sooner or later we 
 hope to see completely naturalized in this country. Under 
 its enchanting influence, the too great bustle and excitement 
 of our commercial cities will be happily counterbalanced by 
 the more elegant and quiet enjoyments of country life. Out 
 rural residences, evincing that love of the beautiful and the 
 picturesque, which, combined with solid comfort, is so attrac- 
 tive to the eye of every beholder, will not only become 
 sources of the purest enjoyment to the refined minds of the 
 possessors, but will exert an influence for the improvement 
 in taste of every class in our community. The ambition to 
 build " shingle palaces'' in starved and meagre grounds, we 
 are glad to see giving way to that more refined feeling which 
 prefers a neat villa or cottage, tastily constructed, and sur- 
 rotmded by its proper accessories, of greater or less extent, 
 of verdant trees and beautiful shrubbery. 
 
 It is gratifying to see the progressive improvement in Ru- 
 ral Architecture, which within a few years past, has evinced 
 itself in various parts of the country, and particularly on the 
 banks of the Hudson and Connecticut Rivers, as well as in 
 the suburbs of our larger cities. Here and there, beautiful 
 
Fig. 57. Cott>aij;e Kcs 
 
 ias W. Luillow, E.sq nnar Tonkers, N Y 
 
 Fig 58 Kesidence of Wasbington Irviug. Esq. ufear TarryLcwn, K Y 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 379 
 
 villas and cottages in the Italian, or old English styles, are 
 being erected by proprietors who feel the pre-eminent beauty 
 of these modes for domestic architecture. And from the 
 rapidity with which improvements having just claims for 
 public favour advance in our community, we have every 
 reason to hope that our Rural Architecture will soon exhibit 
 itself in a more attractive and agreeable form than it has 
 hitherto generally assumed. We take pleasure in referring 
 to a few of these buildings more in detail. 
 
 The cottage of Thomas W. Ludlow, Esq., near Yonkers, 
 on the Hudson, (Pig. 57,) is one of the most complete 
 examples on this river. The interior is very carefully and 
 harmoniously finished, the apartments are agreeably 
 arranged, and the general elfect of the exterior is varied 
 and pleasing. 
 
 There is scarcely a building or place more replete with 
 interest in America, than the cottage of Washington Irving, 
 near Tarrytown, (Fig. 58.) The " Legend of Sleepy Hollow," 
 so delightfully told in the Sketch-Book, has made every 
 one acquainted with this neighbourhood, and especially with 
 the site of the present building, there celebrated as the " Van 
 Tassel House," one of the most secluded and delightful nooks 
 on the banks of the Hudson. With characteristic taste, -Mr. 
 Irving has chosen this spot, the haunt of his early days, since 
 rendered classic ground by his elegant pen, and made it his 
 permanent residence. The house of "Baltus Yan Tassel," 
 has been altered and rebuilt in a quaint style, partaking some- 
 what of the English cottage mode, but retaining strongly 
 marked symptoms of its Dutch origin. The quaint old 
 weathercocks and finials, the crow-stepped gables, and the 
 hall paved with Dutch tiles, are among the ancient and 
 venerable ornaments of the houses of the original settlers of 
 
380 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 Manhattan, now almost extinct among us. There is also a 
 quiet keeping in the cottage and the grounds around it, that 
 assists in making up the charm of the whole ; the gently- 
 swelling slope reaching down to the water's edge, bordered 
 by prettily wooded ravines through which a brook meanders 
 pleasantly ; and threaded by foot-paths ingeniously contrived, 
 so as sometimes to afford secluded walks, and at others to 
 allow fine vistas of the broad expanse of river scenery. 
 The cottage itself is now charmingly covered with ivy and 
 climbing roses, and embosomed in thickets of shrubbery. 
 
 Mr. Sheldon's residence, (Fig. 59,) in the same neighbour- 
 hood, furnishes us with another example of the Rural Gothic 
 mode, worth the study of the amateur. Captain Perry's spi- 
 rited cottage, near Sing Sing, partakes of the same features ; 
 and we might add numerous other cottages now building, or 
 in contemplation, which show how fast the feeling for some- 
 thing more expressive and picturesque is making progress 
 among us. 
 
 Mr. Warren's residence at Troy, N. Y., (Fig. 60,) is a very 
 pretty example of the English cottage, elegantly finished 
 internally as well as externally. A situation in a valley, 
 embosomed with luxuriant trees would have given this build- 
 ing a more appropriate and charming air than its present 
 one, which, however, affords a magnificent prospect of the 
 surrounding country. 
 
 It is the common practice here to place a portion of what 
 are called the domestic offices, as the kitchen, pantries, etc., 
 in the basement story of the house, directly beneath the liv- 
 ing rooms. This has partly arisen from the circumstance of 
 the comparative economy of this method of constructing 
 them under the same roof ; and partly from the difiiculty of 
 adding wings to the main building for those purposes, which 
 

 Fig. 59. Residence of H. Sheldon, Esq. near T.irrytown. 
 
 Fig, 60. Mr. YTarven's Cottage, near Troj, N. 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 381 
 
 will not mar the simplicity and elegance of a Grecian 
 villa. In the better class of houses in England, the domestic 
 offices, which include the kitchen and its appurtenances, and 
 also the stable, coach-house, harness-room, etc. are, in the 
 majority of cases, attached to the main body of the building 
 "on one side. The great advantage of having all these con- 
 veniences on the same floor with the principal rooms, and 
 communicating in such a way as to be easily accessible at 
 all times without going into the open air, is undeniable. It 
 must also be admitted that these domestic offices, extend- 
 ing out from the main building, partly visible and partly 
 concealed by trees and foliage, add much to the extent 
 and importance of a villa or mansion in the country. In 
 the old English style these appendages are made to unite 
 happily with the building, which is in itself irregular. Pic- 
 turesque effect is certainly increased by thus extending the 
 pile and increasing the variety of its outline. 
 
 A blind partiaHty for any one style in building is detri- 
 mental to the progress of improvement, both in taste and 
 comfort. The variety of means, habits, and local feelings, 
 will naturally cause many widely different tastes to arise 
 among us ; and it is only by the means of a number of 
 distinct styles, that this diversity of tastes can be accom- 
 modated. There will always be a large class of individuals 
 in every country who prefer a plain square house because 
 it is more economical, and because they have little feeling 
 for architectural, or, indeed, any other species of beauty. 
 But beside such, there will always be found some men of 
 finer natures, who have a sympathetic appreciation of the 
 beautiful in nature and art. Among these, the classical 
 scholar and gentleman, may, from association and the love 
 of antiquity, prefer a villa in the Grecian or Roman style. 
 
382 LANDSCAPE GARDENING, 
 
 He who has a passionate love of pictures and especially fine 
 landscapes, will perhaps, very' naturally, prefer the modern 
 Italian style for a country residence. The wealthy pro- 
 prietor, either from the romantic and chivalrous associations 
 connected with the baronial castle, or from desire to display 
 his own resources, may indulge his fancy in erecting a 
 castellated dwelling. The gentleman who wishes to realize 
 the heau ideal of genuine old English country residence, 
 with its various internal comforts, and its spirited exterior, 
 may establish himself in a Tudor villa or mansion ; and the 
 lover of nature and rural life, who, with more limited means, 
 takes equal interest in the beauty of his grounds or garden, 
 (however small,) and his house — who is both an admirer of 
 that kind of beauty called the picturesque, and has a lively 
 perception of the effect of a happy adaptation of buildings 
 to the landscape, — such a person will very naturally make 
 choice of the rural cottage style. 
 
 Entrance Lodges arc not only handsome architectural 
 objects in the scenery of country residences of large size, but 
 are in many cases exceedingly convenient, both to the family 
 and the guests or visitors having frequent ingress and egress. 
 The entrance lodge may further be considered a matter 
 strictly useful, in serving as the dwelling of the gardener or 
 farmer and his family. In this point of view, arrangements 
 for the comfort and convenience of the inmates should be 
 regarded as more important than the fanciful decoration of 
 the exterior — as no exterior, however charming, can, to a 
 reflective and well regulated mind, apologize for contracted 
 apartments, and imperfect light and ventilation, in human 
 habitations. 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 383 
 
 Among the numerous entrance lodges which we remember 
 to have seen in the United States, we scarcely recall a single 
 example where the means, or rather the facility, of opening 
 and shutting the gate itself, has been sufficiently considered; 
 Most generally the lodge is at too great a distance from the 
 gate, consuming too much time in attendance, and exposing 
 the persons attending, generally women or children, to the 
 inclemencies of the weather. Besides this, serrice of this 
 kind is less cheerfully performed in this country than in 
 Europe, from the very simple reason of the greater equality 
 of conditions here, and therefore every thing which tends to 
 lessen labour, is worthy of being taken into account. 
 
 For these reasons we would place the gate very near the 
 lodge ; it would be preferable if it were part of the same 
 architectural composition : and if possible adopt the contri- 
 vance now in use at some places abroad, by which the gate, 
 being hung nearest the building, may be opened by the 
 occupant without the latter being seen, or being scarcely 
 obliged to leave his or her employment.* This is certainly 
 the ultimatum of improvements in gate lodges; and where it 
 cannot be attained, something may still be done towards 
 amelioration, by placing the gate within a convenient dis- 
 tance, instead of half a dozen rods apart from the lodge, as 
 is frequently done. 
 
 * In Fig. 61, is shown the section of a gate arranged upon this plan. At the 
 bottom of the hanging post of the gate, is a bevelled iron pinion, that works intO' 
 another pinion, 6, at the end of the horizontal shaft, o, — which shaft is fixed in a 
 square box or tunnel under the road. The part to the right of the partition line,/, 
 is the interior of the gate-keeper's house; and by turning the winch, e, the- 
 upright shaft, c, is put in motion, which moves, by means of the bevelled pinions, 
 g, d, the shaft, a, and therefore, through d, the back post of the gate, which is 
 opened and shut by the motion of the winch, without obliging the inmates to 
 leave the house. 
 
384 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 That the entrance lodge should correspond in style with 
 the mansion, is a maxim insisted upon by all writers on 
 Rural Architecture. Where the latter is built in a mixed 
 style, there is more latitude allowed in the choice of forms 
 for the lodge, which may be considered more as a thing by 
 itself. But where the dwelling is a strictly architectural 
 composition, the lodge should correspond in style, and bear 
 evidence of emanating from the same mind. A variation of 
 the same style may be adopted with pleasing effect, as a lodge 
 
 [Fig. 61. rian for opening the gate from the iutcrior of the Lodge.] 
 
 in the form of the old English cottage for a castellated man- 
 sion, or a Doric lodge for a Corinthian villa ; but never two 
 distinct styles on the same place, (a Gothic gate-house and a 
 Grecian residence,) without producing in minds imbued with 
 correct principles, a feeling of incongruity. A certain cor- 
 respondence in size is also agreeable ; where the dwelling of 
 the proprietor is simply an ornamental cottage, the lodge, if 
 introduced, should be more simple and unostentatious ; and 
 even where the house is magnificent, the lodge should rather 
 be below the general air of the residence than above it, that 
 the stranger who enters at a showy and striking lodge may 
 not be disappointed in the want of correspondence between it 
 and the remaining portions of the demesne. 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 
 
 385 
 
 [Fig. 62. The New Gate Lodge at Blithcwood.] 
 
 The gate-lodge at Blithewood, on the Hudson, the seat of 
 R. Donaldson, Esq., is a shnple and effective cottage in the 
 bracketed style— octagonal in its form, and very compactly 
 arranged internally. 
 
 Nearly all the fine seats on the North river have entrance 
 lodges— often simple and but little ornamented, or only 
 pleasingly embowered in foliage ; but, occasionally, highly 
 picturesque and striking in appearance. 
 
 ^ '^ A view of the pretty 
 
 gate lodge at Netherwood, 
 Dutchess County, N. Y., 
 the seat of James Lenox, 
 Esq., is shown in Fig. 63. 
 Half a mile north of this 
 seat is an interesting 
 
 [Fig. 63. The Gate Lodge at Netherwood.] lodgC IR thC SwlsS Stylc, 
 
 at the entrance to the residence of Mrs. Sheafe. 
 
 In Fig. 64, is shown an elevation of a lodge in the Italian 
 style, with projecting eaves supported by cantileavers or 
 
 49 
 
386 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 brackets, round-headed windows with balconies, character- 
 istic porch, and other leading features of this style. 
 
 [Fig. 64. Gate Lodgo ia tho Italian etjrle.] 
 
 Mr. Repton has stated it as a principle in the composition 
 of residences, that neither the house should be visible from 
 the entrance, nor the entrance from the house, if there be 
 sufficient distance between them to make the approach 
 through varied grounds, or a park, and not immediately into 
 a court-yard. 
 
 Entrance lodges, and indeed, all small ornamental build- 
 ings should be supported, and partially concealed, by trees 
 and foliage ; naked walls, in the comitry, hardly admitting 
 of an apology in any case, but especially when the building 
 is ornamental, and should be considered part of a whole, 
 grouping with other objects in rural landscape. 
 
 Note. — To readers who desire to cultivate a taste for .rural architecture, we 
 take pleasure in recommending the following productio a of the English press. 
 Loudon's Encyclopedia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture, a volume replete 
 with information on every branch of the subject ; Robinson's Rural Architecture, 
 and Designs for Ornamental Villas ; Lugar's Villa Architecture ; Goodwin's 
 Rural Architecture ; Hunt's Picturesque Domestic Architecture, and Examples of 
 
RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 
 
 387 
 
 Tudor Arcldtecture : Pugin's Examples of Gothic Architecture, etc. The most 
 successful American architects in this branch of the art, with whom we are 
 acquainted, are Alexander J. Davis, Esq., of New-York, and John Notman, Esq., 
 of Philadelphia. 
 
 [Fig. 65. The Oardener'9 House, BUlhewood.] 
 
388 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 SECTION X. 
 
 EMBELLISHMENTS ; ARCHITECTURAL, RUSTIC AND FLORAL. 
 
 Value of a proper connection between the house and grounds. Beauty of the architectural 
 terrace, and its application to villas ami cottages. Use of vases of different descriptions. 
 Sun-dials. Architectural flower-garden. Irregular flower-garden. French flower-garden. 
 English flower-garden. General rcmiirks on this subject. Selection of showy plants, 
 flowering in succession. Arrangement of the shrubbery, and selection of choice shrubs. 
 The conservatory or green-house. Open and covered seats. Pavilions. Rustic scats. 
 Prospect tower. Bridges. Rockwork. Fountains of various descriptions. Judicious 
 introduction of decorations. 
 
 Nature, assuming a more lovely face 
 Borrowing a beauty from the works of grace. 
 
 COWPER. 
 
 Each odorous bushy shrub 
 
 Fenced up the verdant wall ; each beauteous flower ; 
 
 Iris all Hues, Roses and Jessamine 
 
 Rear'd liigh their flourished heads between, 
 
 And v^Tought Mosaic. 
 
 Milton. 
 
 N our finest places, or those 
 country seats where much of 
 the polish of pleasure ground 
 or park scenery is kept up, one of the most striking defects, 
 is the want of " union between the house mid the grounds^ 
 We are well aware that from the comparative rarity of any 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 389 
 
 thing like a highly kept place in this country, the want of this, 
 which is indeed like the last finish to the residence, is scarce- 
 ly felt at all. But this only proves the infant state of Land- 
 scape Gardening here, and the little attention that has been 
 paid to the highest details of the art. 
 
 If our readers will imagine, with us, a pretty villa, con- 
 veniently arranged and well constructed, in short, complete 
 in itself as regards its architecture, and at the same time, 
 properly placed in a smooth well kept lawn, studded with 
 groups, and masses of fine trees, they will have an example of- 
 ten to be met with, of a fine place, in the graceful school of 
 design, about which, however, there is felt to be a certain 
 incongruity between the house, a highly artificial object, and 
 the surromiding grounds, where the prevailing expression in 
 the latter is that of beautiful nature. 
 
 Let us suppose, for further illustration, the same house 
 and grounds with a few additions. The house now rising 
 directly out of the green turf which encompasses it, we will 
 surround by a raised platform or terrace, wide enough for a 
 dry, firm walk, at all seasons ; on the top of the wall or bor- 
 der of this terrace, we will form a handsome parapet, or 
 balustrade, some two or three feet high, the details of which 
 shall be in good keeping with the house, whether Grecian 
 or Gothic. On the coping of this parapet, if the house is in 
 the classical style, we will find suitable places, at proper mter- 
 vals, for some handsome urns, vases, etc. On the drawing- 
 room side of the house, that is, the side toward which the 
 best room or rooms look, we will place the flower-garden, 
 into which we descend from the terrace by a few steps. 
 This flower-garden may be simply what its name denotes, 
 a place exclusively devoted to the cultivation of flowers, or 
 (if the house is not in a veiy plain style, admitting of little 
 
390 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 enrichment,) it may be an architectural flower-garden. In 
 the latter case, intermingled with the flowers, are to be seen 
 vases, fountains, and sometimes even statues ; the eflect of 
 the fine colours and deep foliage of the former, heightened 
 by contrast with the sculptured forms of the latter. 
 
 If our readers will now step back a few rods with us and 
 take a second view of our villa residence, with its supposed 
 harmonizing accessories, we think they can hardly fail to be 
 impressed at once, with the great improvement of the whole. 
 The eye now, instead of witnessing the sudden termination of 
 the architecture at the base of the house, where the lawn 
 commences as suddenly, will be at once struck with the in- 
 creased variety and richness imparted to the whole scene, by 
 the addition of the architectural and garden decorations. 
 The mind is led gradually down from the house, with its 
 projecting porch or piazzas, to the surrounding terrace crown- 
 ed with its beautiful vases, and from thence to the architec- 
 tural flower-garden, interspersed with similar ornaments. 
 The various play of light afibrded by these sculptured forms 
 on the terrace ; the projections and recesses of the parapet, 
 with here and there, some climbing plants luxuriantly en- 
 wreathing it, throwing out the mural objects in stronger re- 
 lief, and connecting them pleasantly with the verdure of the 
 turf beneath ; the still farther rambling of" of vases, etc., 
 into the brilliant flower-garden, which, through these orna- 
 ments, maintains an avowed connection with the architec- 
 ture of the house ; all this, we think it cannot be denied, 
 forms a rich setting to the architecture, and unites agreeably 
 the forms of surrounding nature with the more regular and 
 uniform outlines of the building. 
 
 The effect, will not be less pleasing if viewed from 
 another point of view, viz : the terrace, or from the apart- 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 391 
 
 ments of the house itself. From either of these points, the 
 various objects enumerated, will form a rich foreground to 
 the pleasure-grounds or park — a matter which painters well 
 know how to estimate, as a landscape is incomplete and un- 
 satisfactory to them, however beautiful the middle or distant 
 points, unless there are some strongly marked objects in the 
 foreground. In fine, the intervention of these elegant 
 accompaniments to our houses prevents us, as Mr. Hope has 
 observed, "from launching at once from the threshold of the 
 symmetric mansion, in the most abrupt manner, into a 
 scene ■'ft^holly composed of the most unsymmetric and de- 
 sultory forms of mere nature, which are totally out of cha- 
 racter with the mansion, whatever may be its style of archi- 
 tecture and furnishing."* 
 
 The highly decorated terrace, as we have here supposed 
 it, would, it is evident, be in unison with villas of a some- 
 what superior style ; or, in other words, the amount of en- 
 richment bestowed on exterior decoration near the house, 
 should correspond to the style of art evinced in the exterior 
 of the mansion itself. An humble cottage with sculptured 
 vases on its terrace and parapet, would be in bad taste ; but 
 any Grecian, Roman, or Italian villa, where a moderate de- 
 gree of exterior ornament is visible, or a Gothic villa of the 
 better class, will allow the additional enrichment of the ar- 
 chitectural terrace and its ornaments. Indeed the terrace 
 itself, in so far as it denotes a raised dry platform around 
 the house, is a suitable and appropriate appendage to every 
 dwelling, of whatever class. 
 
 The width of a terrace around a house, may vary from 
 five to twenty feet, or more, in proportion as the building is 
 
 * Essay on Ornamental Gardening, by Thomas Hope. 
 
392 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 of greater or less importance. The surrounding wall, which 
 supports its level, may also vary from one to eight feet. The 
 terrace, in the better class of English residences, is paved with 
 smooth flag stones, or in place of this, a surface of firm well- 
 rolled gravel is substituted. In residences where a parapet or 
 balustrade would be thought too expensive, a square stone or 
 plinth is placed at the angles or four corners of the terrace, 
 which serves as the pedestal for a vase or urn. When a 
 more elegant and finished appearance is desirable, the parapet 
 formed of open work of stone, or wood painted in imitation 
 of stone, rises above the level of the terrace two or three feet 
 with a suitably bold coping. On this, vases may be placed, 
 not only at the corners, but at regular intervals of ten, twen- 
 ty, or more feet. We have alluded to the good effect of 
 climbers, here and there planted, and suffered to intermingle 
 their rich foliage with the open work of the parapet and its 
 crowning ornaments. In the climate of Philadelphia, the 
 Giant Ivy, with its thick sculpturesque looking masses of 
 foliage, would be admirably suited to this purpose. Or the 
 Virginia Creeper, (the Ivy of America,) may take its place in 
 any other portion of the Union. To these we may add, the 
 Chinese twining Honeysuckle, (Lonicera flexuosa,) and the 
 Sweet-scented Clematis, both deliciously fragrant in their 
 blossoms, — ^with many other fine climbers which will readily 
 recur to the amateur. 
 
 There can be no reason why the smallest cottage, if its oc- 
 cupant be a person of taste, should not have a terrace decora- 
 ted in a suitable manner. This is easily and cheaply effected 
 by placing neat flower-pots on the parapet, or border and 
 angles of the terrace, with suitable plants growing in them. 
 For this purpose, the American or Century Aloe, a formal 
 architectural-looking plant, is exceedingly well adapted, as it 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 393 
 
 always preserves nearly the same appearance. Or 
 
 in place of this, the Yuccas, or " Adam^s needle, 
 
 and thread,^'' which have something of the same 
 
 Jfif character, while they also produce beautiful heads 
 
 \ ^ J • of flowers, may be chosen. Yiccca Jlaccida is a. 
 
 [Fig. 66.] gj^g hardy species, which would look well in 
 such a situation. An aloe in a common flower 
 pot is shown in Fig. 66 ; and a Yucca in an 
 ornamental flower-pot in Fig. 67. 
 
 Where there is a terrace ornamented with 
 urns or vases, and the proprietor wishes to ""^^^^^ 
 give a corresponding air of elegance to his grounds, vases, 
 sundials, etc., may be placed in various appropriate situa- 
 tions, not only in the architectural flower-garden, but on 
 the lawn, and through the pleasure-grounds in various 
 different points, iiear the house. We say near the house, 
 1 ecause we think so highly artificial and architectural an 
 object as a sculptured vase, is never correctly introduced 
 unless it appear in some way connected with build- 
 ings, or objects of a like architectural character. To 
 place a beautiful vase in a distant part of the grounds, 
 where there is no direct allusion to art, and where it is ac- 
 companied only by natural objects, as the overhanging trees 
 and the sloping turf, is in a measure doing violence to our 
 reason, or taste, by bringing two objects so strongly contrast- 
 ed, in direct union. But when we see a statue or a vase 
 placed in any part of the grounds where a near view is ob- 
 tained of the house, (audits accompanying statues or vases,) 
 the whole is accounted for, and we feel the distant vase, to 
 be only a part of, or rather a repetition of the same idea, — 
 in other words, that it forms part of a whole, harmonious and 
 consistent. 
 
 50 
 
394 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 Vases of real stone, as marble or granite, are decorations 
 of too costly a kind ever to come into general use among us. 
 Vases, however, of equally beautiful forms, are manufactured 
 of artificial stone, of fine pottery, or of cast iron, which have 
 the same effect, and are of nearly equal durability, as garden 
 decorations. 
 
 A vase should never, in the open air, be set down upon 
 the ground or grass, without being placed upon a firm base of 
 some description, either a pli7ith or a pedestal. Without a 
 base of this kind, it has a temporary look, as if it had been left 
 there by mere accident, and without any intention of per- 
 manence. Placing it upon a pedestal, or square plinth, (block 
 of stone,) gives it a character of art, at once more dignified 
 and expressive of stability. Besides this, the pedestal in 
 reality serves to preserve the vase in a perpendicular posi- 
 tion, as well as to expose it fairly to the eye, which could 
 not be the case were it put down, without any preparation, 
 on the bare turf or gravel. 
 
 Figure 68, is a Gothic, and Figures 69, 70, are Gre- 
 cian vases, commonly manufactured in plaster in our 
 cities, but which are also made of Roman cement. 
 They are here shown upon suitable pedestals — a 
 being the vase, and b the pedestal. These with 
 many other elegant vases and urns are manufactured 
 in an artificial stone, as durable as marble, by Austin 
 [F's- C8.J ^£ London, and together with a great variety of other 
 beautiful sculpturesque decorations, may be imported at very 
 reasonable prices. 
 
 Figures 69, 70, are beautiful vases of pottery ware manu- 
 factured by Peake, of Staffordshire — and which may be im- 
 ported cheaply, or will be made to order at the Salamander 
 works, in New- York. These vases, when coloured, to imitate 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 
 
 395 
 
 Ai^:^-i-MM^A-AUkMMjii^ iiiarble or other stone, are extremely dura- 
 ble and very ornamental. As yet, we are 
 unable to refer our readers to any manu- 
 factory here, where these articles are made 
 in a manner fully equal to the English ; but 
 we are satisfied, it is only necessary that 
 the taste for such articles should increase, 
 and the consequent demand, to induce our 
 artisans to produce them of equal beauty, 
 and of greater cheapness. 
 
 Donaldson, Esq., on the 
 
 [Fig. 69.] 
 
 At Blithewood, the seat of R 
 Hudson, a number of exquisite vases may ^i,mi!^ii^mii'o&-^%^ 
 be seen in the pleasure-grounds, which are 
 cut in Maltese stone. These were imported 
 by the proprietor, direct from Malta, at very 
 moderate rates, and are not only ornamen- 
 tal, but very durable. Their colour is a 
 warm shade of gray which harmonizes 
 agreeably with the surrounding vegeta- 
 tion. 
 
 Large vases are sometimes filled with 
 earth and planted with choice flowering plants, and the ef- 
 fect of the blossoms and green leaves growing out 
 of these handsome receptacles, is at least unique 
 and striking. Loudon objects to it in the case 
 of an elegant sculptured vase " because it is re- 
 ducing a work of art to the level of a mere garden 
 flower-pot, and dividing the attention between 
 [Fig. 71.] the beauty of the form of the vase, and of its 
 sculptured ornaments, and that of the plant which it con- 
 tains." This criticism is a just one in its general applica- 
 
396 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 tion, especially when vases are considered as 
 architectural decorations. Occasional devi- 
 ations, however, may be permitted, for the 
 sake of producing variety, especially in the 
 case of vases used as decorations in the 
 flower-garden. 
 
 A very pretty and fanciful substitute for the 
 sculptured vase, and which may take its place 
 in the picturesque school, may be found in 
 vases or baskets of rustic work, constructed of t* 's- ■'2.] 
 
 the branches and sections of trees with 
 the bark attached. Figure 73 is a rep- 
 resentation of a pleasing rustic vase which 
 we have constructed without difficulty. 
 A tripod of branches of trees forms the 
 pedestal. An octagonal box serves as the 
 body or frame of the vase ; on this, pieces 
 [Fig. 7o.] of birch and hazel, (small split limbs co- 
 
 vered with the bark,) are nailed closely, so as to fonn a sort 
 of mosaic covering to the whole exterior. Ornaments of this 
 kind, which may be made by the amateur with the assist- 
 ance of a common carpenter, are very suitable for the decora- 
 tion of the grounds and flower-gardens of cottages or pictu- 
 resque villas. An endless variety of forms will occur to an 
 ingenious artist in rustic work, which he may call in to 
 the embellishment of rural scenes, without taxing his purse 
 heavily. 
 
 Sundials, (Fig. 74,) are among the oldest decorations for 
 the garden and grounds, and there are scarcely any which 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 397 
 
 we think more suitable. They are not merely 
 decorative, but have also an useful character, and 
 may therefore be occasionally placed in distant 
 parts of the grounds, should a favourite walk ter- 
 minate there. When we meet daily in our walks 
 for a number of years, with one of these silent 
 monitors of the flight of time, we become in a 
 degree attached to it, and really look upon it 
 ^ as gifted with a species of intelligence, beam- 
 ^^ ing out when the sunbeams smile upon its dial- 
 [Fig. 74.] plate. 
 
 The Architectural Flower-garden, as we have just re- 
 marked, has generally a direct connection with the house, at 
 least on one side by the terrace. It may be of greater or 
 less size, from twenty feet square, to half an acre in extent. 
 The leading characteristics of this species of flower-garden, 
 are the regular lines and forms employed in its beds and 
 walks. The flowers are generally planted in beds in the 
 form of circles, octagons, squares, etc., the centre of the gar- 
 den being occupied by an elegant vase, a sundial, or that still 
 finer ornament, a fountain, or jet (Peau. In various parts of 
 the garden, along the principal walks, or in the centre of 
 parterres, pedestals supporting vases, urns, or handsome 
 flower-pots with plants, are placed. When a highly marked 
 character of art is intended, a balustrade or parapet, resem- 
 bling that of the terrace to which it is connected, is con- 
 tinued round the whole of this garden. Or in other cases the 
 garden is surrounded by a thicket of shrubs and low trees, 
 partly concealing it from the eye on all sides but one. 
 
 It is evident that the architectural flower garden is supe- 
 rior to the general flower-garden, as an aj^pendage to the 
 house, on two accounts. First, because, as we have already 
 
398 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 shown, it serves an admirable purpose in effecting a harmo- 
 nious union between the house and the grounds. And 
 secondly, because we have both the rich verdure and gay blos- 
 soms of the flowering plants, and the more permanent beauty 
 of sculptured forms ; the latter heightening the eSect of the 
 former by contrast, as well as by the relief they aflbrd the eye 
 in masses of light, amid surrounding verdure. 
 
 There are several varieties of general flower-gardens, which 
 may be formed near the house. Among these we will only 
 notice the irregular flower-garden, the old French flower- 
 garden, and the modern or English flower-garden. 
 
 In almost all the different kinds of flower-gardens, two 
 methods of forming the beds are observed. One is, to cut the 
 beds out of the green turf, which is, ever afterwards, kept 
 well-mown or cut for the walks, and the edges pared ; the 
 other, to surround the beds A^ith edgings of verdure, as box, 
 etc., or some more durable material, as tiles, or cut stone, the 
 walks between being covered with gravel. The turf is cer- 
 tainly the most agreeable for walking upon in the heat of 
 summer, and the dry part of the day. While the gravelled 
 flower-garden afibrds a dry footing at nearly all hours and 
 seasons. 
 
 [Fig. 75. The Irregular Flower-garilen.] 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 399 
 
 The irregular flower-garden is surrounded by an irregu- 
 lar belt of trees and ornamental shrubs of the choicest spe- 
 cies, and the beds, are varied in outline, as well as irregularly 
 disposed, sometimes grouping together, sometimes standing 
 singly, but exhibiting no uniformity of arrangement. An 
 idea of its general appearance may be gathered from the 
 accompanying sketch, (Fig. 75,) which may be varied at plea- 
 sure. In it the irregular boundary of shrubs is shown at a, 
 the flower-beds 6, and the walks e. 
 
 This kind of flower-garden would be a suitable accom- 
 paniment to the house and grounds of an enthusiastic 
 lover of the picturesque, whose residence is in the Rural 
 Gothic style, and whose grounds are also eminently varied 
 and picturesque. Or it might form a pretty termination to a 
 distant walk in the pleasure-grounds, where it would be more 
 necessary that the flower-garden should be in keeping with 
 the surrounding plantations and scenery, than with the house. 
 
 Where the flower-garden is a spot set apart, of any regular 
 outline, not of large size, and especially where it is attached 
 directly to the house, we think the effect is most satisfactory 
 when the beds or walks are laid out in symmetrical forms. 
 Our reasons for this are these ; the flower-garden, unlike dis- 
 tant portions of the pleasure-ground scenery, is an appendage 
 to the house, seen in the same view or moment with it, and 
 therefore should exhibit something of the regularity which 
 characterizes, in a greater or less degree, all architectural 
 compositions ; and when a given scene is so small as to be 
 embraced in a single glance of the eye, regular forms are 
 found to be more satisfactory than irregular ones, which, on 
 so small a scale, are apt to appear unmeaning. 
 
 The French flower-garden is the most fanciful of the 
 regular modes of laying out the area devoted to this purpose. 
 
400 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 The patterns or figures employed are often highly intricate, 
 and require considerable skill in their formation. The walks 
 are either of gravel or smoothly shaven turf, and the beds are 
 filled with choice flowering plants. It is evident that much 
 of the beauty of this kind of flower-garden, or indeed any 
 other where the figures are regular and intricate, must depend 
 on the outlines of the beds, or j)arterres of etiibroidery^ as 
 they are called, being kept distinct and clear. To do this 
 efiectually, low growing herbaceous plants, or border flowers, 
 perennials and annuals, should be chosen, such as will not 
 exceed on an average, one or two feet in height. 
 
 In the English flower-garden, the beds are either in sym- 
 metrical forms and figures, or they are characterized by ir- 
 regular curved outlines. The peculiarity of these gardens, 
 at present so fashionable in England, is, that each separate 
 bed is planted with a single variety, or at most two varieties of 
 flowers. Only the most striking and showy varieties are ge- 
 nerally chosen, and the elfect, when the selection is judicious, 
 is highly brilliant. Each bed, in its season, presents a mass 
 of blossoms, and the contrast of rich colours is much more 
 striking than in any other arrangement. No plants are ad- 
 mitted that are shy bloomers, or which have ugly habits of 
 growth, meagre or starved foliage ; the aim being brilliant 
 eflect, rather than the display of a great variety of curious or 
 rare plants. To bring this about more perfectly, and to have 
 an elegant show during the whole season of growth, hya- 
 cinths and other fine bulbous roots occupy a certain portion 
 of the beds, the intervals being filled with handsome herba- 
 ceous plants, permanently planted, or with flowering annuals 
 and green-house plants renewed every season. 
 
 To illustrate the mode of arranging the beds and disposing 
 the plants in an English garden, we copy the plan and de- 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS, 
 
 401 
 
 scription of the elegant flower-garden, on the lawn at Drop- 
 more^ the beds being cut out of the smooth turf. 
 
 " The flower-garden at Dropmore is shown in fig. 76. 
 In this the plants are so disposed, that when in flower the 
 corresponding forms of the figure contain corresponding 
 coloured flowers. The following is a list of the plants which 
 occupy this figure during summer, with the order in which 
 they are disposed : and a corresponding enumeration of the 
 bulbs and other plants which occupy the beds during winter 
 and spring. 
 
 [Fig. 76. The Flower-Garden at Dropmore.] 
 
 In Summer. 
 
 1. Rosalndica, (blush China,) bordered with R-Sempeirfloreus 
 
 flore pleno, and R. Indica minor. 
 
 2. Pelargonium inquinans, (Scarlet Geranium.) 
 
 3. Verbena Lamberti. 
 
 4. Senecio elegans, flore pleno. (Double Jacobea.) 
 
 5. 5. Alonsoa incisifolia. 
 6. 6. Agathea excelsis. 
 
 7. Fuchsia coccinea, (Lady's Eardrop,) bordered with Double 
 
 Primrose. 
 
 8. Helitropium peruvianum. 
 
 9. Ruellia formosa. 
 
 10. Ageratum mexicanum. 
 
 11. Dianthus chiucnsis, (Indian Pink,) and Mignonette. 
 
 12. Lobelia splendens. 
 
 13. Dianthus satifolius. 
 
 51 
 
402 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 Beds. 
 
 14. Lobelia unidentata. 
 
 15. 15. 15. Choice herbaceous plants not exceeding one foot 
 
 six inches in height. 
 
 16. 16. Gladiolus cardinalis. 
 
 17. Pelargonium lateripis, (pink-flowered variegated Ivy Ge- 
 
 ranium.) 
 
 18. Anagallis grandiflora. 
 
 19. Anagellis Monelli. 
 
 20. Pelargonium coruscans, (Fiery-red Geranium.) 
 
 21. Prince of Orange Geranium. 
 
 22. Oenothera coespitosa. 
 
 23. Oenothera missouriensis, (Missouri evening Primrose.) 
 
 24. Scarlet flowered variegated-leaved Geranium. 
 
 25. Malope trifida. 
 
 26. Lobelia fulgens. 
 
 27. Petunea Phoenecia. 
 
 28. Commelina celestis. 
 
 29. Cistus guttatus. 
 
 30. Campanula pentagona. 
 
 31. Four seasons Rose, and Mignonette. 
 
 32. Bouvardia triphylla. 
 38. Double Nasturtium. 
 
 In Winter and Spring. 
 
 Beds. 
 
 1. Anemone Coronaria. 
 
 2. 2. Malcomia maratima, (Mediterranean stock.) 
 3 and 4. Fine varieties of Tulips. 
 
 5. 5. Double rocket Larkspur, (sown in autumn.) 
 
 6. 6. Agathecea cselestis. 
 
 7. Scilla nutans, (blue harebell.) 
 
 8. Feathered Hyacinths. 
 
 9 and 10. Sweet scented Tulips. 
 
 11. Double garden Tulips. 
 
 12. Single gesneriana Tulips. 
 
 13 and 14. Tritonia crocata, and Tritonia fenestra, kept in 
 frames in mid-winter. 
 
 15. 15. 15. 15. Choice herbaceous plants not exceeding one 
 
 foot six inches in height. 
 
 16. 16. Hyacinths, double blue, plunged in pots. 
 
 17. Hyacinths, double red, do. 
 
 18 and 19. Hyacinths, single blue variety, 
 20 and 21. Single white Hyacinths. 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 403 
 
 Beds. 
 
 22 and 23. Crocus vernus and biflorus. 
 
 24. Hyacinths, double red. 
 
 25 and 26. Tulips, double yellow. 
 
 27. Hyacinths, double white. 
 
 28. Muscari botryoides, (Grape Hyacinth.) 
 
 29. Oxalis caprina, (kept in frames in mid-winter.) 
 
 30. Scilla verna, (Spring Harebell.) 
 
 31. Muscari racemosum, the border of Viola tricolor in sorts. 
 
 32. Hyacinths, double white. 
 
 33. Double rose Larkspur. 
 
 " As a general principle for regulating the plants in this 
 figure, the winter and spring flowers ought, as much as pos- 
 sible, to be of sorts which admit of being in the ground all 
 the year : and the summer crop should be planted at inter- 
 vals between the winter plants. Or the summer crop, hav- 
 ing been brought forward in pots under glass, or by nightly 
 protection, may be planted out about the middle of June, 
 after the winter plants in pots are removed. A number of 
 hardy bulbs ought to be potted and plunged in the beds in 
 the months of October and November ; and when out of 
 bloom, in May or June, removed to the reserve garden and 
 plunged there in order to perfect their foliage and mature 
 their bulbs for the succeeding season."* 
 
 There cannot be a question that this method of planting 
 the flower-garden in groups and masses, is productive of by 
 far the most splendid efiect. In England, where flower- 
 gardens are carried to their greatest perfection, the preference 
 in planting is given to exotics which blossom constantly 
 throughout the season, and which are kept in the green- 
 house during winter, and turned out in the beds in the early 
 part of the season, where they flower in the greatest pro- 
 fusion until frost ; as Fuchsias, Salvias, Lobelias, Scarlet 
 
 * Ency. of Gardening, 1000. 
 
404 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 Poe>^gc3^o5i^CZ) 
 
 [Fig. 77. English FIower^Gaideu.] 
 
 Geraniums, etc., etc.* This mode can be adopted here where 
 a small green-house or frame is kept. In the absence of 
 these, nearly the same effect may be produced by choosing 
 the most showy herbaceous plants, perennial and biennial. 
 
 * In many English residences, the flower-garden is maintained in never-fading 
 brilliancy by almost daily supplies from what is termed the reserve garden. This 
 is a small garden out of sight, in which a great number of duplicates of the 
 species in the flower-garden are grown in pots plunged in beds. As soon as a 
 vacuum is made in the flower-garden by the fading of any flowers, the same are 
 immediately removed and their places supplied by fresh plants just ready to 
 bloom, from the pots in the reserve garden. This, which is the ullimatum of 
 refinement in flower-gardening, has never, to our knowledge, been attempted in 
 this country. 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 405 
 
 alternating them with hardy bulbs, and the finer species o^ 
 annuals. 
 
 In Fig. 77, we give an example of a small cottage or villa 
 residence of one or two acres, where the flower-beds are dis- 
 posed around the lawn in the English style : their forms 
 irregular, with curved outlines, affording a great degree of 
 variety in the appearance as viewed from diiferent points on 
 the lawn itself. In this, the central portion is occupied by 
 the lawn ; c, d, are the flower-beds, planted with showy 
 border-flowers, in separate masses; 6, the conservatory. 
 Surrounding the whole is a collection of choice shrubs and 
 trees, the lowest near the walk, and those behind increasing 
 in altitude as they approach the boundary wall or fence. In 
 this plan, as there is supposed to be no exterior view worth 
 preserving, the amphitheatre of shrubs and trees completely 
 shuts out all objects but the lawn and its decorations, which 
 are rendered as elegant as possible. 
 
 Where the proprietor of a country residence, or the ladies 
 of the family have a particular taste, it may be indulged at 
 pleasure in other and diflerent varieties of the flower-garden. 
 With some families there is a taste for botany, when a small 
 botanic flower-garden may be preferred — the herbaceous and 
 other plants, being grouped or massed in beds after the 
 Linnean, or the natural method. Some persons have an 
 enthusiastic fondness for florist flowers, as Pansies, Carna- 
 tions, Dahlias, Roses, etc. ; others for bulbous roots, all of 
 which may very properly lead to particular modes of laying 
 out flower-gardens. 
 
 The desideratum, however, with most persons is, to have 
 a continued display of blossoms in the flower-garden from 
 the opening of the crocus and snow-drop in the spring, until 
 the autumnal frosts cut off" the last pale asters, or blacken the 
 
406 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 Stems of the luxuriant dahlias in November. This may be 
 done with a very small catalogue of plants if they are pro- 
 perly selected : such as flower at diflerent seasons — continue 
 long time in bloom, and present fine masses of flowers. On 
 the other hand, a very large number of species may be assem- 
 bled together ; and owing to their being merely botanical 
 rarities, and not bearing fine flowers — or to their blossoming 
 chiefly in a certain portion of the season — or continuing but 
 a short period in bloom, the flower-garden will often have 
 but an insignificant appearance. With a group of Pansies 
 and spring bulbs, a bed of ever-blooming China Roses, in- 
 cluding the Isle de Bourbon varieties, some few Esch- 
 scholtzias, the showy Petunias, Gillias, and other annuals, 
 and a dozen choice double Dahlias, and some trailing Ver- 
 benas, a limited spot, of a few yards in diameter, may be 
 made productive of more enjoyment, so far as regards a 
 continued display of flowers, than ten times that space, 
 planted, as we often see flower-gardens here, with a heteroge- 
 neous mixture of every thing the possessor can lay his hands 
 on, or crowd within the enclosure. 
 
 The mingled flower-garden, as it is termed, is by far the 
 most common mode of arrangement in this country, though 
 it is seldom well effected. The object in this is to dispose 
 the plants in the beds in such a manner that, while there is 
 no predominance of bloom in any one portion of the beds, 
 there shall be a general admixture of colours and blossoms 
 throughout the entire garden during the whole season of 
 growth. 
 
 To promote this, the more showy plants should be often 
 repeated in different parts of the garden, or even the same 
 parterre when large, the less beautiful sorts being suffered 
 to occupy but moderate space. The smallest plants should 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 407 
 
 be nearest the walk, those a little taller behind them, and the 
 largest should be farthest from the eye, at the back of the 
 border, when the latter is seen from one side only, or in 
 the centre, if the bed be viewed from both sides. A neglect of 
 this simple rule, will not only give the beds, when the plants 
 are full grown, a confused look, but the beauty of the hum- 
 bler and more delicate plants will be lost amid the tall thick 
 branches of sturdier plants, or removed so far from the spec- 
 tator in the walks, as to be overlooked. 
 
 Considerable experience is necessary to arrange even a 
 moderate number of plants in accordance with these rules. 
 To perform it successfully, some knowledge of the habits of 
 the plants is an important requisite ; their height, time of 
 flowering, and the colours of their blossoms. When a gar- 
 dener, or an amateur, is perfectly informed on these points, 
 he can take a given number of plants of different species, 
 make a plan of the bed, or all the beds of a flower-garden 
 upon paper, and designate the particular situation of each 
 species. 
 
 To facilitate the arrangement of plants in this manner, we 
 here subjoin a short list of the more showy perennial and 
 annual hardy border flowers, such as are easily procured 
 here, for the use of those who are novices in the art, and 
 who wish to cultivate a taste for the subject. 
 
 No. 1, Designates the first class Avhich grow from six to 
 twelve inches in height. 
 
 No. 2, Those which grow from one to two feet. 
 
 No. 3, Those which are over two feet in height. 
 
 Hardy Perennials. 
 
 Floweking in April. 
 
 1. Anemone tlalictroides, pi. Double wood Anemone ; white. 
 1. Anemone pulsatilla. Pasque flower ; blue. 
 
408 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 1. Anemone hepatica, pi. Double Hepaticas ; blue. 
 
 1. Viola odorata, pi. Double white and blue European violets. 
 
 1. Omphalodes verna. Blue Venus Navelwort. 
 
 1. Polemonium reptans. Greek Valerian ; blue. 
 
 1. Phlox stolonifera. Creeping Phlox ; red. 
 
 2. Phlox dixaricata. Early purple Phlox. 
 
 1. Primula veris. The Cowslip ; yellow and red. 
 
 1. Primula polyaniha. The Polyanthus ; purple. 
 
 1. Primula auricula. The Auricula ; purple. 
 
 1. Viola tricolor. Heart's Ease or Pansy ; many colours and sorts. 
 
 1. Viola grandiflora. Purple Pansy. 
 
 2. Saxifraga crassifolia. Thick-leaved Saxifrage ; lilac. 
 1. Phlox subuluta. Moss pink Phlox. 
 
 1. Phlox nivea. White Moss Pink, 
 
 1. Gentiana acaulis. Dwarf Gentian ; purple. 
 1.. Adonis vernalis. Spring fl. Adonis ; yellow. 
 
 2. Dodecatheon meadia. American Cowslip ; lilac. 
 
 2. Pulmonaria virginica. Virginian Lungwort ; purple. 
 
 2. Alyssum saxatile. Golden basket ; yellow. 
 
 2. Trollius europeus. European Globe flower ; yellow. 
 
 1. Corydalis cucularia. Breeches-flower ; white. 
 
 May. 
 
 1. Veronica gentianoides ; Gentian leaved Speedwell ; blue. 
 
 2. Veronica spicata; Blue spiked Speedwell. 
 
 2. Penistemon ovata ; Oval leaved Pentstemon ; blue. 
 
 2. Pentstemon atropurpureus ; Dark purple Pentstemon. 
 
 2. Orohus niger ; Dark purple Vetch. 
 
 1. Jeffersonia diphylla ; Five-leaved JefFersonia ; white. 
 
 1. Lysamachia nummularia ; Trailing Loose-strife ; yellow. 
 
 1. Convallaria majalis ; Lily of the Valley ; white. 
 
 1. Saponaria ocymoides ; Basil-like Soapwort ; red. 
 L Phlox pilosa ; Hairy Phlox ; red. 
 
 2. Anchusa Italica ; Italian Bugloss ; blue. 
 
 2. Ranunculus acris, pi. Double Buttercups ; yellow. 
 
 2. Tradescantia virginica ; blue and white Spiderwort. 
 
 2. Lupinus polyphyllus ; Purple Lupin. 
 
 2. Iris sibirica ; Siberian Iris ; blue. 
 
 3. Iris Jlorentina ; Florentine Iris ; white. 
 
 3. Pcconiatenuifolia; smallleaved Pfeony ; red. 
 
 3. Pcenia albijlora ; single white Pseony. 
 
 2. Lupinus nooikaensis ; Nootka Sound Lupin ; blue. 
 
 2. Hesperis matronalis, albo, pi. ; the double white Rocket. 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 409 
 
 2. Phlox suaveolens; the white Phlox or Lychnidea. 
 
 2. Phlox maculata ; the purple spotted Phlox. 
 
 3. Hemerocallis Jlava ; the yellow Day-Lily. 
 
 2. Lupimts perennis a.ni rivularis ; perennial Lupins ; blue. 
 
 2. Lychnis JloscucuU, pi. ; double ragged-Robin ; red. 
 
 2. Papaver orienialis ; oriental scarlet Poppy. 
 
 2. Aquilegia canadensis ; wild Columbine ; scarlet. 
 
 1. Houstonia ccETolea ; blue Houstonia. 
 
 June. 
 
 1. Spirccajilipendula, pi. ; Double Pride of the Meadow ; white. 
 
 2. Spirccalohata; Siberian Spirea ; red. 
 
 2. Spircca Ulmaria, pi. ; double Meadow-sweet ; white. 
 
 2. Delphinium grandijlorum, pi. ; double dark blue Larkspur. 
 
 2. Delphinium chinense, pi. ; double Chinese Larkspur ; blue. 
 
 2. Dianihus hortensis ; garden Pinks, many double sorts and 
 
 colours. 
 2. Caltha palustris, pi. ; double marsh Marygold ; yellow. 
 
 1. Cypripedium pubescens ; Yellow Indian moccasin. 
 
 2. Polemonium cceruleum, and aZium ; common white and blue 
 
 Greek Valerian. 
 2. Campanula persicifolia, pi. ; double peach-leaved Campanula ; 
 
 white. 
 
 2. Antirhinum majus ; red and white Snap dragons. 
 
 2. Geranium sanguineum ; bloody Geranium ; red. 
 
 1. Viscaria vulgaris, pi. ; white and red Viscaria. 
 
 2. CEnothera fruticosa ; shrubby Evening Primrose ; yellow. 
 1. Eschscholtzia californica ; golden Escscholtzia ; yellow. 
 
 1. Lychnis fulgens ; fulgent Lychnis; red. 
 
 1. Dianihus chinensis ; Indian Pinks ; variegated. 
 
 2. Dianihus caryophyllus ; Carnation ; variegated. 
 1. Verbena muUiJida ; cut-leaved Verbena ; purple. 
 
 1. Verbena Lamberti ; Lambert's Verbena ; purple. 
 
 2. Campanula grandijlora ; large blue Bell-flower. 
 
 3. Aconilum Napellus ; Monks hood ; purple. 
 
 3. Aconitum Napellus, variegated ; purple and white Monks Hood. 
 3. Campanula rapunculoides ; nodding Bell-flower ; blue. 
 
 2. Clematis integrifolia ; Austrian blue Clematis. 
 
 3. Verbascum phcenecium ; purple Mullein. 
 
 3. Clematis eretta ; upright Clematis ; white. 
 
 3. Linum perrene ; perennial Flax ; blue. 
 
 3. PcBonia Humei ; double blush Poeony. 
 
 3. Pceonia fragrans ; double fragrant Poeony ; rose. 
 
 52 
 
410 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 3. PcBonia whitleji ; double white Pceony. 
 
 3. Gaillardia aristata ; bristly Gaillardia ; yellow. 
 
 2. Asphodelus ramosus : branchy Asphodel ; white. 
 
 2. Pentstemon speciosa ; showy Pentstemon ; blue. 
 
 1. Irish Susana ; Chalcedonian Iris ; mottled. 
 
 July. 
 
 2. Dictamnus Fraxinella ; purple Fraxinella. 
 2. Dictamnus alba ; white Fraxinella. 
 
 1. Pentstemon Ricliardsonii ; Richardson's Pentstemon ; purple. 
 
 1. Pentstemon pubescens ; downy Pentstemon ; lilac. 
 
 2. Anch§sa officinalis ; common Bugloss ; blue. 
 
 1. Campanula carpatica; Carpathian Bell-flower; blue. 
 
 2. Monarda didyma ; scarlet Balm. 
 
 2. Oenothera Fraseri ; Eraser's Evening Primrose ; yellow. 
 
 2. CEnolhera macrocarpa ; large podded Evening Primrose ; yel- 
 low. 
 
 1. Sedum populifolium ; poplar-leaved Sedum ; white. 
 
 2. Campanula Trachelium, pi ; double white, and blue Bell- 
 
 flowers. 
 
 2. Potentilla Russelliana ; Russell's Cinquefoil ; red. 
 1. Dianlhus deltoides ; Mountain Pink ; red. 
 
 1. Veronica mar itima ; Maritime Speedwell ; blue. 
 
 3. Delphinium elatum ; Bee Larkspur ; blue. 
 
 2. Delphinium speciosum ; showy Larkspur ; blue. 
 
 2. Campanula macrantha ; large blue Bell-flower. 
 
 3. Pentstemon Digitalis ; Missouri Pentstemon ; white. 
 3. Hibiscus palustris ; swamp Hibiscus ; red. 
 
 3. Lychnis Chalcedonica ; single and double scarlet Lychnis. 
 
 2. Chelone Lyoni ; purple Chelone. 
 
 2. Chelone barbata ; bearded Chelone ; orange. 
 
 2. Dracocephalum grandiflorum ; Dragon's Head ; purple. 
 
 3. Lythrum latifolium ; Perennial Pea ; purple. 
 
 August. 
 
 2. Catananche ccereulea ; blue Catananche. 
 
 1. Corydalis formosa ; red Fumitory. 
 
 1. Phlox carnea ; flesh coloured Phlox. 
 
 2. Asclepias tuberosa ; orange Swallowort. 
 
 2. Veronica carnea ; flesh coloured Speedwell. 
 
 2. Gaillardia bicolor ; orange Gaillardia. 
 
 2. Hemerocallis japonica ; Japan Day-Lily ; white. 
 
 2. Dianthus superbus; superb fringed Pink ; white. 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 411 
 
 2. Lobelia cardinalis ; Cardinal-flower ; red. 
 
 1. Lychnis coronata ; Chinese orange Lychnis. 
 
 2. Lyihrum Salicaria ; Willow Herb ; purple. 
 
 3. Yucca filamentosa; Adam's Thread ; white. 
 3. Yucca flaccida ; Flaccid Yucca ; white. 
 
 3. Phlox 'paniculata ; panicled Phlox; purple and white. 
 3. Campanula pyramidalis ; pyramidal Bell-flower ; bl ue and 
 white. 
 
 2. Liatris squarrosa ; Blazing Star ; blue. 
 
 3. Epilobium spicaium ; purple spiked Epilobiura. 
 
 2. Coreopsis tenuifolia ; fine-leaved Coreopsis ; yellow. 
 
 3. Cassia marylandica ; Maryland Cassia ; yellow. 
 
 September and October, 
 
 1. Achillea Ptarmica, pi. ; double Milfoil ; white. 
 
 2. Coreopsis grandiflora ; large yellow Coreopsis. 
 
 1. Aster linifolius ; fine-leaved Aster ; white. 
 
 2. Eupatorium ccelesdnum ; azure blue Eupatorium. 
 
 2. Phlox ivheeleriana ; Wheeler's Phlox ; red. 
 
 3. Aster macrophyllus ; broad-leaved Aster ; white. 
 
 3. Eupatorium aromaticum ; Fragrant Eupatorium ; white. 
 
 3. Liatris elegans ; elegant Blazing Star; purple. 
 
 3. Liatris spicata and scariosa ; blue Blazing Stars. 
 
 1. Gentania Saponaria ; Soapwort Gentian ; blue. 
 
 3. Aster novcB-anglicc ; New-England Aster ; purple. 
 
 3. Echinops ritro; Globe Thistle. 
 
 8. Chrysanthemum indicum ; Astemesias, many sorts and colours. 
 
 The shrubbery is so generally situated in the neighbour- 
 hood of the flower-garden and the house, that we shall here 
 offer a few remarks on its arrangement and distribution. 
 
 A collection of flowering shrubs is so ornamental, that to 
 a greater or less extent, it is to be found in almost every resi- 
 dence of the most moderate size: the manner in which the 
 shrubs are disposed, must necessarily depend in a great de- 
 gree, upon the size of the grounds, the use or enjoyment to 
 be derived from them, and the prevailing character of the 
 scenery. 
 
 It is evident, on a moment's reflection, that shrubs being 
 
412 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 intrinsically more ornamental than trees, on account of 
 the beauty and abundance of their flowers, they will gene- 
 rally be placed near and about the house, in order that 
 their gay blossoms and fine fragrance may be more constant- 
 ly enjoyed, than if they were scattered indiscriminately over 
 the grounds. 
 
 Where a place is limited in size, and the whole lawn and 
 plantations partake of the jileasure-grotind character, shrubs 
 of all descriptions may be grouped with good effect, in the 
 same manner as trees, throughout the grounds. The finer 
 and rarer species being disposed about the dwelling, and the 
 more hardy and common sorts along the walks, and in 
 groups, in different situations near the eye. 
 
 When, however, the residence is of larger size, and the 
 grounds have a park-like extent and character, the introduc- 
 tion of shrubs might interfere with the noble and dignified 
 expression of lofty full grown trees, except perhaps, they 
 were planted here and there, among large groups, as under- 
 wood ; or if cattle or sheep were allowed to graze in the 
 park, it would of course be impossible to preserve plantations 
 of shrubs there. When this is the case, however, a portion 
 near the house is divided from the park (by a wire fence or 
 some inconspicuous barrier,) for the pleasure-ground, where 
 the shrubs are disposed in belts, groups, etc., as in the first 
 case alluded to. 
 
 There are two methods of grouping shrubs upon lawns 
 which may separately be considered, in combination with 
 graceful and with picturesque scenery. 
 
 In the first case, where the character of the scene, of the 
 plantations of trees, etc., is that of polished beauty, the belts 
 of shrubs may be arranged similar to herbaceous flowering 
 plants, in arabesque beds, along the walks, as in Fig. 77, 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 413 
 
 page 404. In this case, the shrubs alone, arranged with 
 relation to their height, may occupy the beds, or if preferred, 
 shrubs and flowers may be intermingled. Those who have 
 seen the shrubbery at Hyde Park, the residence of the late 
 Dr. Hosack, which borders the walk leading from the man- 
 sion, to the hot-houses, will be able to recall a fine example 
 of this mode of mingling woody and herbaceous plants. 
 The belts or borders occupied by the shrubbery and flower- 
 garden there, are perhaps from 25 to 35 feet in width, com- 
 pletely filled with a collection of shrubs and herbaceous plants ; 
 the smallest of the latter being quite near the walk ; these 
 succeeded by taller species receding from the front of the 
 border, then follow shrubs of moderate size, advancing in 
 height until the back ground of the whole is a rich mass of 
 tall shrubs and trees of moderate size. The effect of this belt 
 on so large a scale, in high keeping, is remarkably striking 
 and elegant. 
 
 Where -picturesque effect is the object aimed at in the 
 pleasure-grounds, it may be attained in another way ; that 
 is, by planting irregular groups of the most vigorous and 
 thrifty growing shrubs in lawn, without placing them in 
 regular dug beds or belts ; but instead of this, keeping the 
 grass from growing and the soil somewhat loose, for a few 
 inches round their stems, (which will not be apparent at a 
 short distance.) In the case of many of the hardier shrubs, 
 after they become well established, even this care will not 
 be requisite, and the grass only, will require to be kept short 
 by clipping it when the laAvn is mown. 
 
 As in picturesque scenes, every thing depends upon group- 
 ing icell, it will be found that shrubs may be employed with 
 excellent effect, in connecting single trees, or finishing a 
 group composed of large trees, or giving fulness to groups 
 
414 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 of tall trees newly planted on a lawn, or effecting a union 
 between buildings and ground. It is true that it requires 
 something of an artist's feeling and perception of the pictu- 
 resque to do these successfully, but the result is so much the 
 more pleasing and satisfactory when it is well executed. 
 
 When walks are continued from the house through dis- 
 tant parts of the pleasure-grounds, groups of shrubs may be 
 planted along their margins, here and there, with excellent 
 effect. They do not shut out or obstruct the view like large 
 trees, while they impart an interest to an otherwise tame and 
 spiritless walk. Placed in the projecting bay, round which 
 the walk curves so as to appear to be a reason for its taking 
 that direction, they conceal also the portion of the walk in 
 advance, and thus enhance the interest doubly. The neigh- 
 bourhood of rustic seats, or resting points, are also fit places 
 for the assemblage of a group or groups of shrubs. 
 
 For the use of those who require some guide in the selec- 
 tion of species, we subjoin the accompanying list of hardy 
 and showy shrubs, which are at the same time easily procured 
 in the United States. A great number of additional species 
 and varieties, and many more rare, might be enumerated, 
 but such will be sufficiently familiar to the connoisseur 
 already ; and what we have said respecting botanical rarities 
 in flowering plants may be applied with equal force to shrubs, 
 viz : that in order to produce a billiant effect, a few well 
 chosen species, often-repeated, are more effective than a great 
 and ill-assorted melange. 
 
 In the following list, the shrubs are divided into two clas- 
 ses — No. 1 designating those of medium size, or low growth^ 
 and No. 2, those which are of the largest size. 
 
EMBELLISHMNTS. 415 
 
 Flowering in April. 
 
 1. Daphne mezereum, The pink Mezereum, D. M. album, the 
 
 white Mezereum. 
 
 2. Sheperdia argentea, the Buifaio berry ; yellow. 
 
 1. ZanlhorMza apiifolia, the parsley-leaved Yellow-root ; brown. 
 
 1. Cydonia japonica, the Japan Quince ; scarlet. 
 
 1. Cydonica japonica alba, the Japan Quince ; white. 
 
 2. Amelanchier Botryapium, the snowy Medlar. 
 1. Ribes aureum, the Missouri Currant ; yellow. 
 
 1. Coronilla Emerus, the Scorpion Senna ; yellow. 
 
 2. Magnolia conspicua, the Chinese chandelier Magnolia ; white. 
 
 May. 
 
 2. Crategus oxycantha, the scarlet Hawthorn. 
 
 2. Crategus oxycantha, Jl. pleno, the double white Hawthorn. 
 
 2. Chionanihus virginica, the white Fringe tree. 
 
 1. Chionanthus latifolius, the broad-leaved Fringe tree ; white. 
 
 1. Azalea : many fine varieties ; red, white and yellow. 
 
 1. Calycanthus jlorida, the Sweet-scented-shrub ; brown. 
 
 1. Magnolia purpurea, the Chinese purple Magnolia. 
 
 2. Halesia telraptera, the silver Bell tree ; white. 
 
 2. Syringa vulgar-is, the common white and red Lilacs. 
 
 1. Syringa persica, the Persian Lilac : white and purple. 
 
 1. Syringa persica laciniata, the Persian cut-leaved Lilac ; pur- 
 ple. 
 
 I. Kerriaox Corchorus japonica, the Japan Globe flower; yellow. 
 
 1. Lonicera tartarica, the Tartarian upright Honeysuckles ; red 
 and white. 
 
 1. Philadelphus coronarius, the common Syringe, and the double 
 Syringo ; white. 
 
 1. Spiraea hypericifolia, the St. Stephen's wreath ; white. 
 
 L Spiraa corymbosa, the cluster flowering Spirea ; white. 
 
 1. Ribes sanguineum, the scarlet flowering Currant. 
 
 1. Amygdalus pumila, pi. the double dwarf Almond ; pink. 
 
 1. Caragana Chamlagn, the Siberian Pea tree ; yellow. 
 
 2. Magnolia soulangeana, the Soulange Magnolia ; purple. 
 
 1. Paonia Moutan banksia, and rosea, the Chinese tree Pseo- 
 
 nias ; purple. 
 1. jBen^^amia/rflg-i/era, the red berried Benthamia; yellow. 
 
 June. 
 
 1. Amorphafruticosa, the Indigo Shrub ; purple. 
 
416 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 2. Coluiea arborescens, the yellow Bladder-senna. 
 
 1. Coluiea cruenta, the red Bladder-senna. 
 
 1. Cyiisus capitatus, the cluster-flowered Cytissus ; yellow. 
 
 1. Siuariia virginica, the white Stuartia. 
 
 1. Cornus sanguinea, the bloody twig Dogwood ; white. 
 
 1. Hydrangea quercifolia, the oak-leaved Hydrangea ; white. 
 
 2. Philadelphus grandiflorus, the large flowering Syringo ; white. 
 2. Viburnum Opulus, the Snow-ball ; white. 
 
 2. iVfag"?ioZmg"Zawcfl!, the swamp Magnolia ; white. 
 
 1. Robiniahispida, the Rose-acacia. 
 
 July. 
 
 1. Spirea bella, the beautiful Spirea ; red. 
 
 2. Sophorajaponica, the Japan Sophora ; white. 
 
 2. Sophora japonica pendula, the weeping Sophora ; white. 
 2. Rhus Coiinus, the Venetian Fringe tree ; yellow. (Brown 
 tufts.) 
 
 1. Ligustrum vulgare, the common Privet ; white. 
 
 2. Cyiisus Laburnum, the Laburnum ; yellow. 
 
 2. Cytisus I. quercifolia, the oak-leaved Laburnum ; white. 
 
 1. Cyiisus purpureu, the purple Laburnum. 
 
 1. Cyiisus argenieus, the silvery Cytissus ; yellow. 
 
 1. Cytisus nigricans, the black rooted Cytissus ; yellow. 
 
 2. Kcelreuteria paniculaia, the Japan Kcelreuteria ; yellow. 
 
 August and September. 
 
 1. Cleihra alnifolia, the alder-leaved Clethra ; white. 
 
 1. Symphoria racemosa, the Snowberry; (in fruit,) white. 
 
 2. Hibiscus syriacus, the double purple, double white, double 
 
 striped, double blue, and variegated leaved Altheas. 
 
 1. Spircea tomeniosa, the tomentose Spirea; red. 
 
 2. Magnolia glauca, thompsoniana, the late flowering Magnolia ; 
 
 white. 
 
 1. Baccharis halimifolia, the Groundsel tree ; white tufts. 
 
 2. Euonymus europccus, the European Strawberry tree, (in 
 
 fruit,) red. 
 2. Euonymus europccus aZfia, the European Strawberry-tree ; the 
 
 fruit white. 
 2. Euonymus laiif alius, the broad -leaved Strawberry tree ; red. 
 1. Daphne mezereum, auiumnalis, the autumnal Mezereum. 
 
 Besides the above, there are a great number of charming 
 varieties of hardy roses, some of which may be grown in the 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 417 
 
 common way on their own roots, and others grafted on stocks, 
 two, three, or four feet high, as standards or tree-roses. The 
 effect of the latter, if such varieties as George the Fourth, 
 La Cerisette, Pallagi, or any of the new hybrid roses are 
 g rown as standards, is wonderfully brilliant, when they are 
 in full bloom. Perhaps the situation where tiiey are displayed 
 to the greatest advantage is, in the centre of small round, 
 •oval, or square beds in the flower-garden, Avhere the remain- 
 der of the plants composing the bed are of dwarfish growth, 
 so as not to hide the stem and head of the tree-roses. 
 
 There are, unfortunately, but few evei'green shrubs that 
 will endure the protracted cold of the winters of the north- 
 ern states. The fine Hollies, Portugal Laurels, Laurusti- 
 nuses, etc., which are the glory of English gardens in autumn 
 and winter, are not hardy enough to endure the depressed 
 temperature of ten degrees below zero. South of Philadel- 
 phia, these beautiful exotic evergreens may be acclimated 
 with good success, and will add greatly to the interest of 
 the shrubbery and grounds in Avinter. 
 
 Besides the Balsam firs, and the Spruce firs, the Arbor 
 Vitas, and other evergreen trees which we have described in 
 the previous pages of this volume, the following hardy spe- 
 cies of evergreen shrubs may be introduced with advantage 
 in the pleasure-ground groups, viz : — 
 
 Rhododendron maximum, the American rose bay or big Laurel ; 
 white and pink, several varieties, (in shaded places). 
 
 Kalmia latifolia, the common Laurel ; several colours. 
 
 Junherus suecia, the Swedish Juniper. 
 
 Juniperis communis, the Irish Juniper. 
 
 Buxus arborescens, the common Tree-box, the Gold striped Tree- 
 box, and the Silver striped Tree-box. 
 
 Ilex opaca, the American Holly. 
 
 Crategus pyracantha, the Evergreen Thorn. 
 
 Mahonia aquifoUa, the Holly leaved Berberry. 
 
 53 
 
418 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 The Conservatory or the Green-House is an elegant and 
 delightful appendage to the villa or mansion, when there is 
 a taste for plants among the different members of a family. 
 Those who have not enjoyed it, can hardly imagine the 
 pleasure afforded by a well-chosen collection of exotic plants, 
 which, amid the genial warmth of an artificial climate, con- 
 tinue to put forth their lovely blossoms, and exhale their 
 delicious perfumes, when all out of door nature is chill and 
 desolate. The many hours of pleasant and healthy exercise 
 and recreation afforded to the ladies of a family, where they 
 take an interest themselves in the growth and vigour of the 
 plants, are certainly no trifling considerations where the 
 country residence is the place of habitation throughout the 
 whole year. Often during the inclemency of our winter and 
 spring months, there are days when either the excessive cold, 
 or the disagreeable state of the weather, prevents in a great 
 measure many persons, and especially females, from taking 
 exercise in the open air. To such, the conservatory would 
 be an almost endless source of enjoyment and amusement ; 
 and if they are true amateurs, of active exertion also. The 
 constant changes which daily growth and development bring 
 about in vegetable forms, the interest we feel in the opening 
 of a favourite cluster of buds, or the progress of the thrifty 
 and luxuriant shoots of a rare plant, are such as serve most 
 effectually to prevent an occupation of this nature from ever 
 becoming monotonous, or ennuyante. 
 
 The difference between the green-house and conserva- 
 tory is, that in the former, the plants are all kept in ijots and 
 arranged on stages, both to meet the eye agreeably, and for 
 more convenient growth ; while in the conservatory^ the 
 plants are grown in a bed or border of soil precisely as in 
 the open air. 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 419 
 
 When either of these plant habitations is to be attached to 
 the house, the preference is greatly in favour of the conser- 
 vatory. The plants being allowed more room, have richer 
 and more luxuriant foliage, and grow and flower in a man- 
 ner altogether superior to those in pots. The allusion to 
 nature is also more complete in the case of plants growing 
 in the ground ; and from the objects all being on the 
 same level, and easily accessible, they are with more facility 
 kept in that perfect nicety and order which an elegant plant- 
 house should always exhibit. 
 
 On the other hand, the green-house will contain by far 
 the largest number of plants, and the same may be more 
 easily changed or renewed at any time ; so that for a particu- 
 lar taste, as that of a botanical amateur, who wishes to grow 
 a great number of species in a small space, the green-house 
 will be found preferable. Whenever either the conservatory 
 or green-house is of moderate size, and intended solely for 
 private recreation, we would in every case, when such a 
 thing is not impossible, have it attached to the house ; com- 
 municating by a glass door with the drawing-room, or one 
 of the living rooms. Nothing can be more gratifying than a 
 vista in winter through a glass door down the walk of a con- 
 servatory, bordered and overhung with the fine forms of tro- 
 pical vegetation, — golden oranges glowing through the dark 
 green foliage, and gay corrollas lighting up the branches of 
 Camellias, and other floral favourites. Let us add the ex- 
 ulting song of a few Canaries, and the enchantment is com- 
 plete. How much more refined and elevated is the taste 
 which prefers such accessories to a dwelling, rather than 
 costly furniture, or an extravagant display of plate ! 
 
 The best and most economical form for a conservatory is 
 a parallelogram — the deviation from a square being greater 
 
420 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 or less according to circumstances. When it is joined to the 
 dwelling by one of its sides, (in the case of the parallelogram 
 form,) the roof need only slope in one way, that is from the 
 house. When one of the ends of the conservatory joins the 
 dwelling, the roof should slope both ways, from the centre. 
 The advantage of the junction in the former case, is, that 
 less outer surface of the conservatory being exposed to the 
 cold, viz. only a side and two ends, less fuel will be required ; 
 the advantage in the latter case is, that the main walk lead- 
 ing down the conservatory, will be exactly in the line of the 
 vista from the drawing-room of the dwelling. 
 
 It is, we hope, almost unnecessaiy to state, that the roof of 
 a conservatory, or indeed any other house where plants are 
 to be Avell-grown, must be glazed. Opaque roofs prevent 
 the admission of perpendicular light, without which the 
 stems of vegetation are drawn up weak and feeble, and are 
 attracted in an unsightly manner towards the glass in front. 
 When the conservatory joins the house by one of its ends, 
 and extends out from the building to a considerable length, 
 the effect Avill be much more elegant ; and the plants will 
 thrive more perfectly, when it is glazed on all of the three 
 sides, so as to admit light in every direction. 
 
 The best aspect for a conservatory is directly south ; south- 
 east and southwest are scarcely inferior. Even east and 
 west exposures will do very well, where there is plenty of 
 glass to admit light ; for though our winters are cold, yet 
 there is a great abundance of sun, and bright clear atmos- 
 phere, both far more beneficial to plants, than the moist, foggy 
 vapour of an English winter, which, though mild, is com- 
 paratively sunless. When the conservatory adjoins, and 
 looks into, the flower-garden, the effect will be appropriate 
 and pleasing. 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 421 
 
 Some few hints respecting the construction of a conserva- 
 tory may not be unacceptable to some of our readers. In the 
 first place, the roof should have a sufficient slope to carry off 
 the rain rapidly, to prevent leakage ; from 40 to 45 degrees is 
 found to be the best inclination in our climate. The roof 
 should by no means be glazed with large panes, because 
 small ones have much greater strength, which is requisite to 
 withstand the heavy weight of snow that often falls during 
 winter, as well as to resist breakage by hail storms in sum- 
 mer. Four or eight inches by six, is the best size for roof- 
 glass, and with this size the lap of the panes need not be 
 greater than one-eighth of an inch, while it would require 
 to be one-fourth of an inch, were the panes of the usual size. 
 On the front and sides, the sashes may be handsome, and 
 filled in with the best glass ; even plate-glass has been used 
 in many cases to our knowledge here. 
 
 In the second place, some thorough provision must be 
 made for warming the conservatory ; and it is by far the 
 best mode to have the apparatus for this purpose entirely in- 
 dependent of the dwelling-house ; that is, (though the fur- 
 nace may be in the basement,) the flues and fire should be 
 intended to heat the conservatory alone ; for although a con- 
 servatory may, if small, be heated by the same fire which 
 heats the kitchen or one of the living rooms, it is a much 
 less eflicient mode of attaining this object, and renders the 
 conservatory more or less liable at all times to be too hot or 
 too cold. 
 
 The common square flue, the sides built of bricks, and the 
 top and bottom of tiles manufactured for that purpose, is one 
 of the oldest, most simple, and least expensive methods of 
 heating in use. Latterly, its place has been supplied by hot 
 water circulated in large tubes of three or four inches in 
 
422 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 diameter from an open boiler, and by Perkins' mode, as it is 
 called, which employs small pipes of an inch in diameter, 
 hermetrically sealed. Economy of fuel and in the time re- 
 quisite in attendance, are the chief merits of the hot water 
 systems, which however have the great additional advantage 
 of affording a more moist and genial temperature. 
 
 In a green-house, the flues, or hot water pipes, may be con- 
 cealed under the stage. In conservatories they should by all 
 means be placed out of sight also. To effect this, they are 
 generally conducted into a narrow, hollow chamber, under 
 the walk, which has perforated sides or a grated top, to per- 
 mit the escape of heated air.* 
 
 [Fig. 73. Villa at Brooklyn, N.T., with the Conaervatoiy attached.] 
 
 One of the most beautiful conservatories attached to the 
 dwelling, to which we can refer our readers, for an example, 
 is one built by J, W. Perry, Esq., Brooklyn, near New- York, 
 (Fig. 78,) forming the left wing of this elegant villa. Among 
 
 * The circulation of warm air is greatly accelerated, when an opening through 
 the outer air is permitted to enter the hot air passage, thus becoming heated and 
 passing into the conservatory. 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 423 
 
 the most magnificent detached conservatories are those of J. 
 P. Gushing, Esq., at his elegant seat, Belmont Place, Water- 
 town, near Boston ; and that at Montgomery Place, the seat 
 of Mrs. Edward Livingston, on the Hudson, Fig. 79. 
 
 A conservatory is frequently made an addition to a rectan- 
 gular Grecian villa, as one of its wings — the other being a 
 living or bed-room. The more varied and irregular outline 
 of Gothic buildings, enables them to receive an appendage of 
 this nature with more facility in almost any direction, where 
 the aspect is suitable. Whatever be the style of the archi- 
 tecture of the house, that of the conservatory should in every 
 case conform to it, and evince a degree of enrichment ac- 
 cording with that of the main building. 
 
 Though a conservatory is often made an expensive luxury, 
 attached only to the better class of residences, there is no 
 reason why cottages of more humble character should not 
 have the same source of enjoyment, on a more moderate 
 scale. A small green-house, or plaid cabinet, as it is some- 
 times called, eight or ten feet square, communicating with the 
 parlour, and constructed in a simple style, may be erected 
 and kept up in such a manner, as to be a source of much 
 pleasure, for a comparatively trifling sum ; and we hope soon 
 to see in this country, where the comforts of life are more 
 equally distributed than in any other, the taste for enjoy- 
 ments of this kind extending itself with the means for real- 
 izing them, into every portion of the northern and middle 
 states. 
 
 Ope7i and covered seats, of various descriptions, are among 
 the most convenient and useful decorations for the pleasure- 
 grounds of a country residence. Situated in portions of the 
 lawn or park, somewhat distant from the house, they oifer an 
 agreeable place for rest or repose. If there are certain points, 
 from which are obtained agreeable prospects or extensive 
 
424 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 views of the surrounding country, a seat, by designating 
 those points, and by affording us a convenient mode of enjoy- 
 ing them, has a double recommendation to our minds. 
 
 Open and covered seats are of two distinct kinds ; one 
 architectural, or formed after artist-Hke designs, of stone or 
 wood, in Grecian, Gothic, or other forms ; which may, if they 
 are intended to produce an elegant effect, have vases on 
 pedestals as accompaniments ; the other, rustic, as they are 
 called, which are formed out of trunks and branches of trees, 
 roots, etc., in their natural forms. 
 
 There are particular sites, where each of these kinds of 
 seats, or structures, is, in good taste, alone admissible. In 
 the proximity of elegant and decorated buildings where all 
 around has a polished air, it would evidently be doing vio- 
 lence to our feelings and sense of propriety to admit many 
 rustic seats and structures of any kind ; but architectural de- 
 corations and architectural seats are there correctly intro- 
 duced. For the same reason also, as we have already sug- 
 gested, that the sculptured forms of vases, etc., would be out 
 of keeping in scenes where nature is predominant, (as the 
 distant wooded parts, or walks of a residence,) architectural, 
 or in other words, highly artificial seats, would not be in 
 character : but rustic seats and structures, which, from the 
 nature of the materials employed and the simple manner of 
 their construction, appear but one remove from natural forms, 
 are felt at once to be in unison with the surrounding objects. 
 Again, the mural, and highly artistical vase, and statue, 
 most properly accompany the landscape garden in the 
 graceful school ; while rustic basket, or vase, are the most 
 fitting decorations of the Picturesque Landscape Garden. 
 
 The simplest variety of covered architectural seat is th e 
 latticed arbour for vines of various description, with the seat 
 underneath the canopy of foliage : this may with more pro- 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 425 
 
 priety be introduced in various parts of the grounds than 
 any other of its class, as the luxuriance and natural graceful- 
 ness of the foliage which covers the arbour, in a great mea- 
 sure destroys, or overpowers the expression of its original 
 form. Lattice arbours, however, neatly formed of rough 
 poles and posts are much more picturesque and suitable for 
 wilder portions of the scenery. 
 
 The temple and the pavilion, are highly finished 
 forms of covered seats, which are occasionally in- 
 troduced in splendid places, where classic archi- 
 [Fig. 80.] tecture j^revails. There is a circular pavilion of 
 this kind at the termination of one of the walks at Mr. 
 Langdon's residence, Hyde Park. Fig. 80. 
 
 We consider rustic seats and structures as likely to be 
 much preferred in the villa and cottage residences of the 
 country. They have the merit of being tasteful and pictu- 
 resque in their appearance, and are easily constructed by the 
 amateur, at comparatively little or no expense. There is 
 scarcely a prettier or more pleasant object 
 for the termination of a long walk in the 
 7^i~7^n7 ^^ pleasure-grounds or park, than a neatly 
 thatched structure of rustic work, with its seat for repose, and 
 a view of the landscape beyond. On finding such an object, 
 we are never tempted to think that there has been a lavish 
 expenditure to serve a trifling purpose, but are gratified to 
 see the exercise of taste and ingenuity, which completely 
 answers the end in view. 
 
 Figure 81, is an example of a simple rustic seat 
 formed of the crooked and curved branches of the 
 
 oak, elm, or any other of our forest trees. Fig. 82, 
 [Fig. 82.] -g ^ ggg^^ q£ ^YiQ same character, made at the 
 
 foot of a tree, whose overhanging branches afford a fine shade. 
 
 54 
 
426 
 
 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 Figure 83, is a covered seat or rustic arbour, with a 
 thatched roof of straw. Twelve posts are set securely in the 
 ground, which make the frame of this structure, the open- 
 ings between being filled in with branches (about three 
 inches in diameter) of different trees— the more irregular 
 the better, so that the perpendicular surface of the exterior 
 and interior is kept nearly equal. In lieu of thatch, the roof 
 may be first tightly boarded, and then a covering of bark 
 or the slabs of trees with the bark on, overlaid and nailed 
 on. The figure represents the structure as formed round a 
 tree. For the sake of variety this might be omitted, the 
 
 [Fig. 83.] 
 
 roof formed of an open lattice work of branches like the 
 sides, and the whole covered by a grape, bignonia, or some 
 other vine or creeper of luxuriant growth. The seats are in 
 the interior. 
 
 Figure 84, represents a covered seat of another kind. The 
 central structure, which is circular, is inten- 
 ded for a collection of minerals, shells, or any 
 other curious objects for which an amateur 
 might have a penchant. Geological or miner- 
 [Fig. 84. ] alogical specimens of the adjacent neighbour- 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 427 
 
 head, would be very proper for such a cabinet. The seat 
 surrounds it on the outside, over which is a thatched roof or 
 veranda, supported on rustic pillars formed of the trunks of 
 saplings, with the bark attached. 
 
 [Pig. 85. Rustic covered Seat. J 
 
 Many of the English country places abound with admira- 
 ble specimens of rustic work in their parks and pleasure- 
 grounds. "White Knight's, in particular, a residence of the 
 Duke of Marlborough has a number of beautiful structures 
 of this kind. Figure 85, is a view of a round seat with 
 thatched roof, in that demesne. Three or four rustic pillars 
 support the architrave, and the whole of the exterior and 
 interior, (being first formed of frame-work,) is covered with 
 straight branches of the maple and larch. The seat on the 
 interior, looks upon a line prospect ; and the seat on the 
 back of the exterior, fronts the park. 
 
 There is no limit to the variety of forms and patterns in 
 which these rustic seats, arbours, summer-houses, etc., can be 
 constructed by an artist of some fancy and ingenuity. After 
 the frame- work of the structure is formed of posts and rough 
 boards, if small straight rods about an inch in diameter, of 
 hazel, white birch, maple, etc., are selected in sufficient quan- 
 
428 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 tity, they may be nailed on in squares, diamonds, medallions, 
 or other patterns, and have the effect of a mosaic of wood. 
 
 Among the curious results of this fancy for rustic work, 
 we may mention the moss-house — erected in several places 
 abroad. The skeleton or frame-work of the arbour or house, 
 is formed as we have just stated ; over this small rods half 
 an inch in diameter are nailed, about an inch from centre to 
 centre ; after the whole surface is covered with this sort of 
 rustic lathing, a* quantity of the softer wood-moss of different 
 colours is collected ; and taking small parcels in the hand at 
 a time, the tops being evenly arranged, the bottoms or roots 
 are crowded closely between the rods with a small wooden 
 wedge. When this is done with some little skill, the tufted 
 ends spread out and cover the rods entirely, showing a 
 smooth surface of mosses of different colours, which has an 
 effect not unlike that of a thick Brussells carpet. 
 
 The mosses retain their colour for a great length of time, 
 and when properly rammed in with the wedge, they cannot 
 be pulled out again without breaking their tops. The pret- 
 tiest example which we have seen of a handsome moss-house 
 in this country, is at the residence of Wm. H. Aspinwall, 
 Esq., on Staten Island. 
 
 A prospect tower is a most desirable and pleasant struc- 
 ture in certain residences. Where the view is comparatively 
 limited from the grounds, on account of their surface being 
 level, or nearly so, it often happens that the spectator, by 
 being raised some twenty-five or thirty feet above the sur- 
 face, finds himself in a totally different position, whence a 
 charming coup (Toeil, or bird's-eye view of the surrounding 
 country is obtained. 
 
 Those of our readers who may have visited the delightful 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 429 
 
 garden and grounds of M. Parmentier, near 
 Brooklyn, some half a dozen years since, 
 during the hfetime of that amiable and zeal- 
 ous amateur of horticulture, will readily re- 
 
 [Fig. 86. Prospecl-Arbour.] 
 
 member the rustic prospect-arbour, or tower, 
 Fig. 86, which was situated at the extremity of his place. 
 It was one of the first pieces of rustic work of any size, and 
 displaying any ingenuity, that we remember to have seen 
 here ; and from its summit, though the garden walks af- 
 forded no prospect, a beautiful reach of the neighbourhood for 
 many miles was enjoyed. 
 
 Figure 87 is a design for a rustic prospect tower of three 
 
 stories in height, with a double thatched roof 
 
 It is formed of rustic pillars or columns, which 
 
 are well fixed in the ground, and which are 
 
 filled in with a fanciful lattice of rustic 
 
 branches. A spiral stair-case winds round 
 
 •■^'^ ?owerT'"" the interior to the platform of the second and 
 
 upper stories, where there are seats under the open thatched 
 
 roof. 
 
 On a ferme ornee^ where the proprietor desires to give a 
 picturesque appearance to the different appendages of the 
 place, rustic work offers an easy and convenient method of 
 attaining this end. The dairy is sometimes made a detached 
 building, and in this country it may be built of logs in a 
 tasteful manner with a thatched roof; the interior being 
 studded, lathed, and plastered in the usual way. Or the 
 ice-house, which generally shows but a rough gable and ridge 
 roof rising out of the ground, might be covered with a neat 
 structure in rustic work, overgrown with vines, which would 
 give it a pleasing or picturesque air, instead of leaving it, as 
 at present, an unsightly object, which we are anxious to 
 conceal. 
 
430 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 A species of useful decoration, which is perhaps more 
 naturally suggested than any other, is the bridge. Where a 
 constant stream, of greater or less size, runs through the 
 grounds, and divides the banks on opposite sides, a bridge of 
 some description, if it is only a narrow plank over a rivulet, 
 is highly necessary. In pieces of artificial water that are 
 irregular in outline, a narrow strait is often purposely made, 
 with the view of introducing a bridge for effect. 
 
 When the stream is large and bold, a handsome architec- 
 tural bridge of stone or timber is by far the most suitable ; 
 especially if the stream is near the house, or if it is crossed 
 on the Approach road to the mansion ; because a character 
 of permanence and solidity is requisite in such cases. But 
 when it is only a winding rivulet or crystal brook, which 
 meanders along beneath the shadow of tufts of clustering fo- 
 liage of the pleasure-ground or park, a rustic bridge may be 
 A /T^^ brought in with the happiest effect. Fig. 
 
 M ^^^js^i^^^^^ ^Sj is ^ rustic bridge erected under our 
 •j^^^^^^^^^' direction. The foundation is made by 
 [Fig. 88. Ruatic Bridge.] laying dowu a few large square stones 
 beneath the surface on both sides of the stream to be span- 
 ned ; upon these are stretched two round posts or sleepers 
 with the bark on, about eight or ten inches in diameter. The 
 rustic hand-rail is framed into these two sleepers. The floor 
 of the bridge is made by laying down small posts of equal 
 size, about four or six inches in diameter, crosswise upon the 
 sleepers, and nailing them down securely. The bark is 
 allowed to remain on in every piece of wood employed in the 
 construction of this little bridge ; and when the wood is cut 
 at the proper season, (durable kinds being chosen,) such a 
 bridge, well made, will remain in excellent order for many 
 years. 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 
 
 431 
 
 Rockwork is another kind of decoration sometimes intro- 
 duced in particular portions of the scenery of a residence, Fig. 
 89. Wlien weU executed, that is, so as to have a natural 
 and harmonious expression, the effect is highly pleasing. 
 We have seen, however, in places where a high keeping and 
 
 
 [Fig. 89. Rockwork.] 
 
 good taste otherwise prevailed, such a barbarous melange^ or 
 confused pile of stones mingled with soil, and planted over 
 with dwarfish plants dignified with the name of rockwork, 
 that we have been led to believe that it is much better to 
 attempt nothing of the kind, unless there is a suitable place 
 for its display, and at the same time, the person attempting it 
 is sufficiently an artist, imbued with the spirit of nature in 
 her various compositions and combinations, to be able to 
 produce something higher than a caricature of her works. 
 The object of rockicork is to produce in scenery or por- 
 tions of a scene, naturally, or in a great measure destitute of 
 groups of rocks and their accompanying drapery of plants 
 and foliage, something of the picturesque efiect which such 
 natural assemblages confer. To succeed in this, it is evident 
 that we must not heap up little hillocks of mould and smooth 
 stones, in the midst of an open lawn, or the centre of a flower- 
 
432 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 garden. But if we can make choice of a situation where a 
 rocky bank or knoll already partially exists, or would be in 
 keeping with the form of the ground and the character of 
 the scene, then we may introduce such accompaniments 
 with the best possible hope of success. 
 
 It often happens in a place of considerable extent, that 
 somewhere in conducting the walks through the grounds, 
 we meet with a ridge with a small rocky face, or perhaps 
 with a large rugged single rock, or a bank where rocky 
 summits just protrude themselves through the surface. The 
 common feeling against such uncouth objects, would direct 
 them to be cleared away at once out of sight. But let us take 
 the case of the large rugged rock, and commence our pictu- 
 resque operations upon it. We will begin by collecting from 
 some rocky hill or valley in the neighbourhood of the estate, 
 a sufficient quantity of rugged rocks, in size from a few 
 pounds to half a ton or more, if necessary, preferring always 
 such as are already coated with mosses and lichens. These 
 we will assemble around the base of the large rock, in an 
 irregular somewhat pyramidal group, bedding them some- 
 times partially, sometimes almost entirely in soil heaped in 
 irregular piles around the rock. The rocks must be arranged 
 in a natural manner, avoiding all regularity and appearance 
 of formal art, but placing them sometimes in groups of half 
 a dozen together, overhanging each other, and sometimes half 
 bedded in the soil, and a little distance apart. There are no 
 rules to be given for such operations, but the study of natu- 
 ral groups, of a character similar to that 'which we wish to 
 produce, will afford sufficient hints if the artist is 
 
 "Prodiguede genie," 
 
 and has a perception of the natural beauty which he desires 
 to imitate. 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 433 
 
 The rockwork once formed, choice trailing, creeping and 
 alpine plants, such as delight naturally in similar situations, 
 may be planted in the soil which fills the interstices between 
 the rocks : when these grow to fill their proper places, partly 
 concealing and adorning the rocks with their neat green 
 foliage and pretty blossoms, the effect of the whole, if pro- 
 perly done, will be like some exquisite portion of a rocky 
 bank in wild scenery, and will be found to give an air at 
 once striking and picturesque to the little scene where it is 
 situated. 
 
 In small places where the grounds are extremely limited, 
 and the owner wishes to form a rockwork for the growth of 
 alpine and other similar plants, if there are no natural in- 
 dications of a rocky surface, a rockwork may sometimes be 
 introduced without violating good taste by preparing natu- 
 ral indications artificially, if we may use such a term. If 
 a few of the rocks to be employed in the rockwork are sunk 
 half or three-fourths their depth in the soil near the site of 
 the proposed rockwork, so as to have the appearance of a 
 rocky ridge just croppitig- oict^ as the geologists say, then the 
 rock work will, to the eye of a spectator, seem to be con- 
 nected with, and growing out of this rocky spur or ridge 
 below : or, in other words, there will be an obvious reason 
 for its being situated there, instead of its presenting a wholly 
 artificial appearance. 
 
 In a previous page, when treating of the banks of pieces of 
 water formed by art, we endeavoured to show how the 
 natural appearance of such banks would be improved by the 
 judicious introduction of rocks partially imbedded into and 
 holding them up. Such situations, in the case of a small 
 lake or pond, or a brook, are admirable sites for rockwork. 
 Where the materials of a suitable kind are abundant, and 
 
 55 
 
434 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 tasteful ingenuity is not wanting, surprising effects may be 
 produced in a small space. Caves and grottoes, where ferns 
 and mosses would thrive admirably with the gentle drip 
 from the roof, might be made of the overarching rocks ar- 
 ranged so as to appear like small natural caverns. Let the 
 exterior be partially planted with low shrubs and climbing 
 plants, as the wild Clematis, and the effect of such bits of 
 landscape could not but be agreeable in secluded portions of 
 the grounds. 
 
 In many parts of the country, the secondary blue limestone 
 abounds, which, in the small masses found loose in the woods, 
 covered with mosses and ferns, affords the very finest material 
 for artificial rockwork.* 
 
 After all, much the safest way is never to introduce rock- 
 work of any description, unless we feel certain that it will 
 have a good effect. When a place is naturally picturesque, 
 and abounds here and there with rocky banks, etc., little 
 should be done but to heighten and aid the expressions of 
 these, if they are wanting in spirit, by adding something 
 more ; or softening and giving elegance to the expression, 
 if too wild, by planting the same with beautiful shrubs and 
 climbers. On a tame sandy level, where rocks of any kind 
 are unknown, their introduction in rockworl^s, nine times in 
 ten, is more likely to give rise to emotions of the ridiculous, 
 than those of the sublime or picturesque. 
 
 * Our readers may see an engraving and description of a superb extravaganza 
 in rockwork in a late number of Loudon's Gardener's Magazine. Lady Broughton, 
 of Hoole House, Chester, England, has succeeded in forming, round a natural 
 valley, an imitation of the hills, glaciers, and scenery of a. passage in Switzerland. 
 The whole is done in rockwork, the snow-covered summits being represented 
 in white spar. The appropriate plants, trees, and shrubs on a small scale, are 
 introduced, and the illusion, to a spectator standing in the valley surrounded by 
 these glaciers, is said to be wonderfully striking and complete. 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 
 
 435 
 
 Fountains are highly elegant garden decorations, rarely 
 seen in this country; which is owing, not so much, we ap- 
 prehend, to any great cost incurred in putting them up, or 
 any want of appreciation of their sparkling and enlivening 
 effect in garden scenery, as to the fact that there are few arti- 
 zans here, as abroad, whose business it is to construct and 
 fit up architectural, and other jets d^eau. 
 
 The first requisite, where a fountain is a desideratum, is a 
 
 constant supply of water, either from a natural source, or an 
 
 artificial reservoir, some distance higher than the level of the 
 
 ' surface whence the jet or fountain is to rise. Where there is 
 
 [Pig. 90. Deeign for a Fountain.] 
 
 a pond, or other body of water, on a higher level than the 
 proposed fountain, it is only necessary to lay pipes under the 
 surface to conduct the supply of water to the required spot ; 
 but where there is no such head of water, the latter must be 
 provided from a reservoir artificially prepared, and kept con- 
 stantly full. 
 There are two very simple and cheap modes of efiecting 
 
4.36 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 this, which we shall lay before our readers, and one or the 
 other of which may be adopted in almost every locality. 
 The first is to provide a large flat cistern of sufficient size, 
 which is to be placed under the roof in the upper story of 
 one of the outbuildings, the carriage-house for example, and 
 receive its supplies from the water collected on the roof 
 of the building ; the amount of water collected in this way 
 from a roof of moderate size being much more than is gene- 
 rally supposed. The second is to sink a well of capacious 
 size, (where such is not already at command,) in some part 
 of the grounds where it will not be conspicuous, and over it 
 to erect a small tower, the top of which shall contain a cis- 
 tern and a small horizontal windmill ; which being kept in 
 motion by the wind more or less almost every day in sum- 
 mer, will raise a sufficient quantity of water to keep the re- 
 servoir supplied from the well below. In either of these 
 cases, it is only necessary to carry leaden pipes from the cis- 
 tern, (under the surface, below the reach of frost,) to the place 
 where the jet is to issue ; the supply in both these cases will, 
 if properly arranged, be more than enough for the consump- 
 tion of the fountain during the hours when it will be neces- 
 sary for it to play ; viz. from sunrise to evening. 
 
 The steam engine is often employed to force up water for 
 the supply of fountains in many of the large public and 
 royal gardens ; but there are few cases in this country 
 where private expenditures of this kind would be justifiable. 
 
 "In conducting the water from the cistern or reservoir to 
 the jet or fountain, the following particulars require to be at- 
 tended to : — In the first place, all the pipes must be laid 
 sufficiently deep in the earth, or otherwise placed and protected 
 so as to prevent the possibility of their being reached by frost ; 
 next, as a general rule, the diameter of the orifice from which 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 437 
 
 the jet of water proceeds, technically called the bore of the 
 quill, ought to be four times less than the bore of the conduit 
 pipe ; that is, the quill and the pipe ought to be in a quad- 
 ruple proportion to each other. There are several sorts of 
 quills or spouts, which throw the water up or down, into a 
 variety of forms : such as fans, parasols, sheaves, showers, 
 mushrooms, inverted bells, etc. The larger the conduit pipes 
 are, the more freely will the jets display their different forms ; 
 and the fewer the holes in the quill or jet, (for sometimes 
 this is pierced like the rose of a watering pot,) the greater 
 certainty there will be of the form continuing the same ; be- 
 cause the risk of any of the holes choking up will be less. 
 The diameter of a conduit pipe, ought, in no case, to be less 
 than one inch ; but for jets of very large size, the diameter 
 ought to be two inches. Where the conduit pipes are of 
 great length, say upwards of 1000 feet, it is found advan- 
 tageous to begin, at the reservoir or cistern, with pipes of a 
 diameter somewhat greater than those which deliver the 
 water to the quills, because the water, in a pipe of uniform 
 diameter of so great a length, is found to lose much of its 
 strength, and become what is technically called sleepy : 
 while the diiferent sizes quicken it, and redouble its force. 
 For example, in a conduit pipe of 1800 feet in length, the 
 first six hundred feet may be laid with pipes of eight inches 
 in diameter, the next 600 feet with pipes of six inches in 
 diameter, and the last 600 feet with pipes of four inches in 
 diameter. In conduits not exceeding 900 feet, the same 
 diameter may be continued throughout. When several jets 
 are to play, in several fountains, or in the same, it is not 
 necessary to lay a fresh pipe from each jet to the reseiwoir ; 
 a main of sufficient size, with branch pipes to each jet, be- 
 ing all that is required. Wliere the_conduit pipe enters the 
 
438 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 reservoir or cistern, it ought to be of increased diameter, and 
 the grating placed over it to keep out leaves and other mat- 
 ters which might choke it up, ought to be semi-globular or 
 conical ; so that the area of the number of holes in it, may 
 exceed the area of the orifice of the conduit pipe. The ob- 
 ject is to prevent any diminution of pressure from the body 
 of water in the cistern, and to facilitate the flow of the water. 
 Where the conduit pipe joins the fountain, there, of course, 
 ought to be a cock for turning the water off and on ; and 
 particular care must be taken that as much water may pass 
 through the oval hole of this cock as passes through the cir- 
 cular hole of the pipe. In conduit pipes^ all elbows, bend- 
 ings, and right angles should be avoided as much as possible, 
 since they diminish the force of the water. In very long 
 conduit pipes, air-holes formed by soldering on upright pieces 
 of pipe, terminating in inverted valves or suckers, should be 
 made at convenient distances, and protected by shafts built 
 of stone or brick, and covered with moveable gratings, in or- 
 der to let out the air. Where pipes ascend and descend, on 
 very irregular surfaces, the strain on the lowest parts of the 
 pipe is always the greatest ; unless care is taken to relieve 
 this, by the judicious disposition of cocks and air-holes. 
 Without this precaution, pipes conducted over irregular sur- 
 faces will not last nearly so long as those conducted over a 
 level." — Encycl. of Cottage^ Farm, and Villa Architecture, 
 page 989. 
 
 Where the reservoir is but a short distance, as from a dozen 
 to fifty yards, all that is necessary is to lay the conduit pipes 
 on a regular uniform slope, to secure a steady uninterrupted 
 flow of water. Owing to the friction in the pipes, and the 
 pressure of the atmosphere, the water in the fountain, will 
 of course, in no case, rise quite as high as the level of the 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 
 
 439 
 
 water in the reservoir ; but it will nearly as high. For ex- 
 ample, if the reservoir is ten feet four inches high, the water 
 in the jet will only rise ten feet, and in like proportion for 
 the different heights. The following table* shows with a 
 given height of reservoirs and diameter of conduit pipes and 
 orifices, 
 fountain 
 
 the height to which the water will rise in the 
 
 Height of the 
 
 Diameter of the 
 
 Diameters of the 
 
 Height the water 
 
 Reservoir. 
 
 Conduit pipes. 
 
 Orifices. 
 
 will rise to. 
 
 Feet. 1 Inches. 
 
 Inches. | Lines. 
 
 Lines. | Farts. 
 
 Feet. 1 Inches. 
 
 5 1 
 
 22 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 10 4 
 
 25 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 15 9 
 
 2i 
 
 6 
 
 15 
 
 21 4 
 
 2^ 
 
 6i 
 
 20 
 
 33 
 
 3 
 
 7 
 
 30 
 
 45 4 
 
 4i 
 
 7 8 
 
 40 
 
 .58 4 
 
 5 
 
 8 10 
 
 50 
 
 72 
 
 5J 
 
 10 12 
 
 60 
 
 86 4 
 
 6 
 
 12 14 
 
 70 
 
 100 
 
 7 
 
 12 15 
 
 80 
 
 [Fig. 91.] 
 
 A simple jet, (Fig. 91,) issuing from a circular basin of 
 water, or a cluster of perpendicular jets (candelabra jets) is 
 at once the simplest and most pleasing of foun- 
 tains. Such are almost the only kinds of 
 fountains which can be introduced with pro- 
 priety in simple scenes where the predominate 
 objects are sylvan, and not architectural. 
 Weeping, or Tazza Fountains, as they are called, are 
 simple and highly pleasing objects which require only a 
 '^i ^r'^''';'''''''^'^''^^^ very moderate supply of water com- 
 !,'i,'i.';i,' pared with that demanded by a con- 
 . , , stant and powerful jet. The conduit 
 'ii'll;! pipe rises through and fills the vase, 
 [Fig. 92. Tazza Fountain.] whlch Is SO fomied as to ovorflow 
 
 Switzer's Introducttbn to a general system of Hydrostatics. 
 
440 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 round its entire margin. Figure 92 represents a beautiful 
 Grecian vase for tazza fountains. The ordinary jet and the 
 tazza fountain may be combined in one, when the supply of 
 water is sufficient, by carrying the conduit pipe to the level 
 of the top of the vase, from which the water rises perpen- 
 dicularly, then falls back into the vase and overflows as 
 before. 
 
 We might enumerate and figure a great many other 
 designs for fountains; but the connoisseur will receive 
 more ample information on this head than we are able to 
 afford, from the numerous French works devoted to this 
 branch of Rural Embellishment. 
 
 A species of rustic fountain which has a good effect, is 
 make by introducing the conduit pipe or pipes among the 
 groups of rockivork alluded to, from whence (the orifice of 
 the pipe being concealed or disguised,) the water issues 
 among the rocks either in the form of a cascade, a weeping 
 fountain, or a perpendicular jet. A little basin of water is 
 formed at the foot or in the midst of the rockwork ; and the 
 cool moist atmosphere afforded by the trickling streams, 
 would offer a most congenial site for aquatic plants, ferns, 
 and mosses. 
 
 Fountains of a highly artificial character are happily situ- 
 ated only when they are placed in the neighbourhood of 
 buildings and architectural forms. When only a single 
 fountain can be maintained in a residence, the centre of the 
 flower-garden, or the neighbourhood of the piazza or terrace- 
 walk is, we think, much the most appropriate situation for 
 it. There the liquid element, dancing and sparkling in 
 the sunshine, is an agreeable feature in the scene, as viewed 
 from the windows of the rooms ; and the falling watery 
 spray diffusing coolness around is no less delightful in the 
 su rrounding stillness of a summer evening. 
 
EMBELLISHMENTS. 441 
 
 After all that \vc have said respecting architectural and 
 rustic decorations of the grounds, we must admit that it re- 
 quires a great deal of good taste and judgment, to introduce 
 and distribute them so as to be in good keeping with the 
 scenery of country residences. A country residence, where 
 the house with a few tasteful groups of flowers and shrubs, 
 and a pretty lawn, with clusters and groups of luxuriant trees, 
 are all in high keeping and evincing high order, is far more 
 beautiful and pleasing than the same place, or even one of 
 much larger extent, where a profusion of statues, vases, and 
 fountains, or rockwork and rustic seats are distributed 
 throughout the garden and grounds, while the latter, in 
 themselves, show slovenly keeping, and a crude and meagre 
 knowledge of design in Landscape Gardening. 
 
 Unity of expression, is the maxim and guide in this 
 department of the art, as in every other. Decorations can 
 never be introduced with good effect, when they are at ' 
 variance with the character of surrounding objects. A 
 beautiful Grecian villa may, with the greatest propriety, re- 
 ceive the decorative accompaniments of elegant vases, sun- 
 dials, or statues, should the proprietor choose to display his 
 wealth and taste in this manner ; but these decorations 
 would be totally misapplied in the case of a plain square 
 edifice, evincing no architectural style in itself. 
 
 In addition to this, there is great danger that a mere lover 
 of fine vases may run into the error of assembling these 
 objects indiscriminately in different parts of his grounds, 
 where they have really no place, but interfere with the quiet 
 character of surrounding nature. He may overload the 
 grounds with an unmeaning distribution of sculpturesque or 
 artificial forms, instead of working up those parts where art 
 predominates in such a manner, by means of appropriate 
 
 56 
 
442 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
 
 decorations, as to heighten by contrast, the beauty of the 
 whole adjacent landscape. 
 
 With regard to pavilions, summer-houses, rustic seats, and 
 garden edifices of like character, they should, if possible, in 
 all cases be introduced where they are manifestly appropriate 
 or in harmony with the scene. Thus a grotto should not 
 be formed in the side of an open bank, but in a deep 
 shadowy recess; a classic temple or pavilion may crown 
 a beautiful and prominent knoll, and a rustic covered seat 
 may occupy a secluded, quiet portion of the grounds, where 
 Yindisturbed meditation may be enjoyed. As our favourite 
 Delille says : 
 
 " Sachez ce qui convient ou nuit au caractere. 
 Un rednit ecarte, dans un lieu solitaire, 
 Peint mieux la solitude encore et I'abandon. 
 Montrez-vous done fidele a chaque expression ; 
 N'allez pas au grand jour offrir un ermitage -. 
 Ne cachez point un temple au fond d'un bois saiivage." 
 
 Les Jardins. 
 
 Or if certain objects are unavoidably placed in situations 
 of inimical expression, the artist should labour to alter the 
 character of the locality. How much this can be done by the 
 proper choice of trees and shrubs, and the proper arrange- 
 ment of plantations, those who have seen the difference in 
 aspect of certain favourite localities of wild nature, as covered 
 with wood, or as denuded by the axe, can well judge. 
 And we hope the amateur, who has made himself familiar 
 with the habits and peculiar expressions of different trees, as 
 pointed out in this work, will not find himself at a loss to 
 effect such changes, by the aid of time, with ease and 
 facility. 
 
 Library 
 N. C. State College 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 Notes on transplanting trees. Reasons for frequent failures in removing large trees. Direc- 
 tions for performing this operation. Selection of subjects. Preparing trees for removal. 
 
 Transplanting evergreens. 
 
 Theee is no subject on which the professional horticulturist is more 
 frequently consulted in America, than transplanting trees. And, as it 
 is an essential branch of Landscape Gardening, indeed perhaps the most 
 important and necessary one to be practically understood in the improve- 
 ment or embellishment of new country residences, we shall offer a few 
 remarks here, with the hope of rendering it a more easy and successful 
 practice in the hands of amateurs. 
 
 Although there are great numbers of acres of beautiful woods and 
 groves, the natural growth of the soil, in most of the older states, yet a 
 considerable portion of our ordinary country seats are meagerly clothed 
 with trees, while many beautiful sites for residences have, in past years, 
 been so denuded, that the nakedness of their appearance constitutes a se- 
 rious objection to ihem as places of residence. To be able, therefore, to 
 transplant, from natural copses, trees of ten or twenty years growth, is so 
 universally a desideratum, that great numbers of experiments are made 
 annually with this view ; — though few persons succeed in obtaining what 
 they desire, viz., the immediate effect of wood ; partly from a want of 
 knowledge of the nature of vegetable physiology, and partly from mal- 
 practice in the operation of removal itself. 
 
 When the admirably written "Planter's Guide," by Sir Henry Steu- 
 art, made its appearance some ten years ago, not only describing minutely 
 
444 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 the whole theory of transplanting nearly full grown trees, but placing 
 before its readers a report of a committee of the Highland Society of 
 Edinburgh attesting the complete success of the practice, as exemplified 
 in the woods, copses, and groups, which, removed by the transplanting 
 machine, beautified with their verdure and luxuriance the baronet's own 
 park, the whole matter of transplanting was apparently cleared up, and 
 numbers of individuals in this country, with sanguine hopes of success, 
 set about the removal of large forest trees. 
 
 Of the numerous trials made upon this method, with trees of extra size, 
 we have known but a very few instances of even tolerable success. This 
 is no doubt owing partly to the want of care and skill in the practical 
 part of the process, — but mainly to the ungenial nature of our climate. 
 
 The climate of Scotland during four fifths of the year, is in some re- 
 spects the exact opposite of that of the United States. An atmosphere, 
 which for full nine months of the twelve, is copiously charged with fogs, 
 mist, and dampness, may undoubtedly be considered as the most favour- 
 able in the world, for restoring the weakened or impaired vital action of 
 large transplanted trees. In this country, on the contrary, the dry at- 
 mosphere, and constant evaporation under the brilliant sun of our sum- 
 mers, are most important obstacles with which the transplanter has to 
 contend, and which render complete success so much more difficult here 
 than in Scotland. And we would therefore rarely attempt in this country 
 the extensive removal of trees larger than twenty feet in height. When 
 of the size of fifteen feet they are sufiiciently large to produce very consider- 
 able immediate effect, while they are not so large as to be costly or 
 very difficult to remove, or to suffer greatly by the change of position like 
 older ones. 
 
 The great want of success in transplanting trees of moderate size in this 
 country arises, as we conceive, mainly from two causes ; the first, a want 
 of skill in performing the operation, arising chiefly from ignorance of the 
 nature of the vital action of plants, in roots, branches, etc., and the 
 second, a bad or improper selection of subjects on which the operation 
 is to be performed. Either of these causes would account for bad suc- 
 cess in removals ; and where, as is frequently the case, both are com- 
 bined, total failure can scarcely be a matter of surprise to those really 
 familiar with the matter. 
 
 An uninformed spectator, who should witness for the first time the re- 
 
APPENDIX. 445 
 
 moval of a forest tree, as ordinarily performed by many persons, would 
 scarcely suppose that any. thing beyond mere physical strength was re- 
 quired. Commencing as near the tree as possible, cutting off many of 
 the roots, with the very smallest degree of reluctance, wrenching the 
 remaining mass out of their bed as speedily and almost as roughly as 
 possible, the operator hastens to complete his destructive process by 
 cutting off the best part of the head of the tree, to make it correspond 
 with the reduced state of the roots. Arrived at the hole prepared for its 
 reception, his replanting consists in shoveling in, while the tree is held 
 upright, the surrounding soil, — paying little or no regard to filling up all 
 the small interstices among the roots, — and finally, after treading the 
 earth as hard as possible, completing the whole by pouring two or three 
 pails of water upon the top of the ground. How any reflecting person, 
 who looks upon a plant as a delicately organized individual, can reasona- 
 bly expect or hope for success after such treatment in transplanting, is 
 what we never could fully understand ! And it has always, therefore, 
 appeared pretty evident, that all such operators must have very crude 
 and imperfect notions of vegetable physiology, or the structure and 
 functions of plants. 
 
 The first and most important consideration in transplanting should be 
 the preservation of the roots. By this we do not mean a certain bulk of 
 the larger and more important ones only, but as far as possible all the 
 numerous small fibres and rootlets so indispensably necessary in assist- 
 ing the tree to recover from the shock of removal. The coarser and 
 larger roots serve to secure the tree in its position and convey the fluids, 
 but it is by means of the small fibrous roots, or the delicate and nume- 
 rous points of these fibres called spongioles, that the food of plants is 
 imbibed, and the destruction of such is, manifestly, in the highest de- 
 gree fatal to the success of the transplanted tree. To avoid this as far as 
 practicable, we should, in removing a tree, commence at such a distance 
 as to include a circumference large enough to comprise the great majori- 
 ty of the roots. At that distance from the trunk we shall find most of 
 the smaller roots, which should be carefully loosened from the soil, with 
 as little injury as possible ; the earth should be gently and gradually 
 removed from the larger roots, as we proceed onward from the extremity 
 of the circle to the centre, and when we reach the nucleus of roots sur- 
 rounding the trunk, and fairly undermine the whole, we shall find our- 
 
446 APPENDIX. 
 
 eelves in possession of a tree in such a perfect condition, that even when 
 of considerable size, we may confidently hope for a speedy recovery of 
 its former luxuriance after being replanted. 
 
 Now to remove a tree in this manner, requires not only a considerable 
 degree of experience, which is only to be acquired by practice, but also 
 much patience and per sever a7ice whWe engaged in the work. It is not a 
 difficult task to remove, in a careless manner, four or five trees in a day, 
 of fifteen feet in height, by the assistance of three or four men and proper 
 implements of removal ; while one or two trees only can be removed if 
 the roots and branches are preserved entire or nearly so. Yet in the lat- 
 ter case, if the work be well performed, we shall have the satisfaction of 
 beholding the subjects, when removed, soon taking fresh root, and becom- 
 ing vigorous healthy trees with fine luxuriant heads ; while three-fourths 
 of the former will most probably perish, and the remainder struggle for 
 several years, under the loss of so large a portion of their roots and 
 branches, before they entirely recover and put on the appearance of 
 handsome trees. 
 
 When a tree is carelessly transplanted, and the roots much mutilated, 
 the operator feels obliged to reduce the top accordingly ; as experience 
 teaches him, that although the leaves may expand, yet they will soon 
 perish without a fresh supply of food from the roots. But when the 
 largest portion of th| roots are carefully taken up with the tree, pruning 
 may be nearly or entirely dispensed with, and thus the original symmetry 
 and beauty of the head retained. When this is the case, the leaves 
 contribute as much, by their peculiar action in elaborating the sap, 
 towards re-establishing the tree, as the roots ; and indeed the two act so 
 reciprocally with each other, that any considerable injury to the one, 
 always afiects the other. " The functions of respiration, perspiration, 
 and digestion," says Professor Lindley, "which are the particular offices 
 of leaves, are essential to the health of a plant : its healthiness being in 
 proportion to the degree in which these functions are duly performed. 
 The leaf is in reality a natural contrivance for exposing a large surface 
 to the influence of external agents, by whose assistance the crude sap con- 
 tained in the stem is altered and rendered suitable to the particular wants 
 of the species, and for returning into the general circulation, the fluids 
 in their matured condition. In a word, the leaf of a plant is its lungs and 
 
APPENDIX. 447 
 
 stomach traversed by a system of veins,"* All the prunning, therefore, 
 that is necessary, vi^hen a tree is properly transplanted, will be comprised 
 in paring smooth all bruises, or accidental injuries, received by the roots 
 or branches during the operation, or the removal of a few that may 
 interfere with elegance of form in the head. 
 
 Next in importance to the requisite care in performing the operation of 
 transplanting, is the proper dioice of indimdul trees to he transplanted. In 
 making selections for removal among our fine forest trees, it should 
 never be forgotten that there are two distinct kinds of subjects even of 
 the same species of every tree, viz : those that grow among and sur- 
 rounded by other trees or woods, and those which grow alone, in free 
 open exposures, where they are acted upon by the winds, storms, and 
 sunshine, at all times and seasons. The former class it will always be 
 exceedingly difficult to transplant successfully, even with the greatest 
 care ; while the latter may always be removed with comparatively little 
 risk of failure. 
 
 Any one who is at all familiar with the growth of trees in woods or 
 groves somewhat dense, is also aware of the great difference in the ex- 
 ternal appearance between such trees and those which stand singly in 
 open spaces. In thick woods, trees are found to have tall, slender trunks 
 with comparatively few branches except at the top, smooth and thin bark, 
 and they are scantily provided with roots, but especially with the small 
 fibres so essentially necessary to insure the growth of the tree when 
 transplanted. Those, on the other hand, which stand isolated, have 
 short thick stems, numerous branches, thick bark and a great abundance 
 of root and small fibres. The latter, accustomed to the full influence of 
 the weather, to cold winds, as well as open sunshine, have, what Sir 
 Henry Steuart has aptly denominated, the "protecting properties" well 
 developed : being robust and hardy, they are well calculated to endure 
 the violence of the removal, while trees growing in the midst of a wood, 
 sheltered from the tempests by their fellows, and scarcely ever receiving 
 the sun and air freely except at their topmost branches, are too feeble 
 to withstand the change of situation, when removed to an open lawn, 
 even when they are carefully transplanted. 
 
 " Of trees in open exposures," says Sir Henry, " we find that their 
 
 * Theory of florticulture. 
 
448 APPENDIX. 
 
 peculiar properties contribute, in a remarkable manner, to their health 
 and prosperity. In the first place, their shortness and greater girth of 
 stem, in contradistinction to others in the interior of woods, are obviously 
 intended to give to the former greater strength to resist the winds, and 
 a shorter lever to act upon the roots. Secondly, their larger heads, with 
 spreading branches, in consequence of the free access of light, are as 
 plainly formed for the nourishment, as well as the balancing of so large 
 a trunk, and also for furnishing a cover to shield it from the elements. 
 Thirdly, their superior thickness and induration of bark is, in like man- 
 ner, bestowed for the protection of the sap-vessels, that lie immediately 
 under it, and which, without such defence from cold, could not perform 
 their functions. Fourthly, their greater number and variety of roots are 
 for the double purpose of nourishment and strength ; nourishment to 
 support a mass of such magnitude, and strength to contend with the 
 fury of the blast. Such are the obvious purposes for which the unvary- 
 ing characteristics of trees in open exposures are conferred upon them. 
 Nor are they conferred equally and indiscriminately upon all trees so 
 situated. They seem, by the economy of nature, to be peculiar adapta- 
 tions to the circumstances and wants of each individual, uniformly be- 
 stowed in the ratio of exposure, greater where that is more conspicuous 
 and uniformly decreasing, as it becomes less."* 
 
 Trees in which the protecting properties are well developed are fre- 
 quently to be met with on the skirts of woods : but those standing singly 
 here and there through the cultivated fields and meadows of our farm 
 lands, where the roots have extended themselves freely in the mellow soil, 
 are the finest subjects for removal into the lawn, park, or pleasure- 
 ground. 
 
 The machine used in removing trees of moderate size is of simple con- 
 struction ; consisting of a pair of strong wheels about five feet high, a 
 stout axle, and a pole about twelve feet long. In transplanting, the 
 wheels and axle are brought close to the trunk of the tree, the pole is 
 firmly lashed to the stem, and when the soil is sufficiently removed and 
 loosened about the roots, the pole, with the tree attached, is drawn down to 
 a horizontal position, by the aid of men and a pair of horses. When the 
 tree is thus drawn out of the hole, it is well secured and properly ba- 
 lanced upon the machine, the horses are fastened in front of the mass of 
 
 * The Planter's Guide, p. 105. 
 
APPENDIX. 44& 
 
 roots by gearings attached to the axle, and the whole is transported to 
 the destined location. 
 
 In order more effectually to insure the growth of large specimens when 
 transplanted, a mode of preparing beforehand a supply of young roots, is 
 practised by skilful operators. This consists in removing the top soil, 
 partially undermining the tree, and shortening back many of the roots ; 
 and afterwards replacing the former soil by rich mould or soil well ma- 
 nured. This is suffered to remain at least one year, and often three or 
 four years ; the tree, stimulated by tlie fresh supply of food, throws out an 
 abundance of small fibres, which render success, when the time for re- 
 moval arrives, comparatively certain. 
 
 It may be well to remark here, that before large trees are transplanted 
 into their final situations, the latter should be well prepared by trench- 
 ing, or digging the soil two to three feet deep ; intermingling throughout 
 the whole a liberal portion of well decomposed manure, or rich compost. 
 To those who are in the habit of planting trees of any size in unpre- 
 pared ground, or that merely prepared by digging one spit deep and 
 turning in a little surface manure, it is inconceivable how much more 
 rapid is the growth, and how astonishingly luxuriant the appearance of 
 trees when removed into ground properly prepared. It is not too much 
 to affirm, that young trees under favourable circumstances, — in soil so 
 prepared, — will advance more rapidly and attain a larger stature in eight 
 years, than those planted in the ordinary way, without deepening the soil, 
 will in twenty ; and trees of larger size in proportion, — a gain of growth 
 surely worth the trifling expense incurred in the first instance. And 
 the same observation will apply to all planting. A little extra labour 
 and cost expended in preparing the soil will, for a long time, secure a 
 surprising rapidity of growth. 
 
 In the actual planting of the tree, the chief point lies in bringing 
 every small fibre in contact with the soil, so that no hollows or inter- 
 stices are left, which may produce mouldiness and decay of the roots. 
 To avoid this the soil must be pulverized with the spade before filling in, 
 and one of the workmen, with his hands and a flat dibble of wood, 
 should fill up all cavities, and lay out the small roots before covering 
 them in their natural position. When watering is thought advisable, 
 (and we practice it almost invariably,) it should always be done while 
 the planting is going forward. Poured in the hole when the roots are 
 
 57 
 
450 APPENDIX. 
 
 just covered with soil, it serves to settle the loose earth compactly 
 around the various roots, and thus both furnishes a supply of moisture, 
 and brings the pulverized mould in proper contact for growth. Trees 
 well watered when planted in this way, will rarely require it afterwards; 
 and should they do so, the better way is to remove two or three inches 
 of the top soil, and give the lower stratum a copious supply ; when, the 
 water having been absorbed, the surface should again be replaced. 
 There is no practice more mischievous to newly moved trees, than 
 that of pouring water, during hot weather, upon the surface of the ground 
 above the roots. Acted upon by the sun and wind, this surface becomes 
 baked, and but little water reaches the roots ; or just sufficient perhaps 
 to afford a momentary stimulus, to be followed by increased sensibility 
 to the parching drought. 
 
 With respect to the proper seasons for transplanting, we may remark 
 that, except in extreme northern latitude, autumn planting is generally 
 preferred for large, hardy, deciduous trees. It may commence as soon as 
 the leaves fall, and may be continued until winter. In planting large 
 trees in spring, we should commence as early as possible, to give them 
 the benefit of the April rains ; if it should be deferred to a later period, 
 the trees will be likely to suffer greatly by the hot summer sun before 
 they are well established. 
 
 The transplanting of ererg'reens is generally considered so much more 
 difficult than that of deciduous trees, and so many persons who have 
 tolerable success in the latter, fail in the former, that we may perhaps 
 be expected to point out the reason of these frequent failures. 
 
 Most of our horticultural maxims are derived from English authors, and 
 among them, that of always planting evergreens either in August, or late 
 in autumn. At both these seasons, it is nearly impossible to succeed in 
 the temperate portions of the United States, from the different character 
 ofvour climate at these seasons. The genial moisture of the English 
 climate, renders transplanting comparatively easy at all seasons, but 
 especially in v^inter ; while in this country, our Augusts are dry and 
 hot, and our winters generally dry and cold. If planted in the latter part 
 of summer, evergreens become parched in their foliage, and soon perish. 
 If planted in autumn or early winter, the severe cold that ensues, to 
 which the newly disturbed plant is peculiarly alive, paralyzes vital 
 action, and the tree is so much enfeebled that, when spring arrives, it 
 
APPENDIX. 451 
 
 survives but a short period. The only period, therefore, that remains 
 for the successful removal of evergreens here, is the spring. When 
 planted as eariy as practicable in the spring, so as to have the full bene- 
 fit of the abundant rains so beneficial to vegetation at that season, they 
 will almost immediately protrude nevp- shoots, and regain their former 
 vigour. 
 
 Evergreens are, in their roots, much more delicate and impatient of 
 dryness than deciduous trees ; and this should be borne in mind while 
 transplanting them. For this reason, experienced planters always 
 choose a w^et or misty day for their removal ; and, in dry weather, we 
 would always recommend the roots to be kept watered and covered 
 from the air by mats during transportation. When proper regard is 
 paid to this point, and to judicious selection of the season, evergreens 
 will not be found more difficult of removal than other trees. 
 
 Another mode of transplanting large evergreens, which is very success- 
 fully practised among us, is that of removing them with frozen balls of 
 earth in mid-winter. When skilfully performed, it is perhaps the 
 most complete of all modes, and is so different from the common method, 
 that the objection we have just made to winter planting, does not apply 
 to this case. The trees to be removed are selected, the situations chosen, 
 and the holes dug, while the ground is yet open in autumn. When the 
 ground is somewhat frozen, the operator proceeds to dig a trench around 
 the tree at some distance, gradually undermining it, and leaving all the 
 principal mass of roots embodied in the ball of earth. The whole ball is 
 then left to freeze pretty thoroughly, (generally till snow covers the 
 ground,) when a large sled drawn by oxen, is brought as near as possible, 
 the ball of earth containing the tree rolled upon it, and the whole is 
 easily transported to the hole previously prepared, where it is placed in 
 the proper position ; and as soon as the weather becomes mild, the earth 
 is properly filled in around the ball. A tree, either evergreen or decidu- 
 ous, may be transplanted in this way, so as scarcely to show, at the return 
 of growth, any ill effects from its change of location. 
 
 II. 
 
 Description of an English Suburban residence, Cheshttnt Cottage. With views and plans 
 showing the arrangement of the house and grounds. And the mode of managing the whole 
 premises. 
 
 [The following description of an interesting suburban residence near 
 
452 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 London, with the numerous engravings illustrating it, has been kindly 
 furnished us for this work by J. C. Loudon, Esq. It was originally pub- 
 lished in his " Gardener's Magazine," and affords an admirable illustra- 
 tion of this class of residences : showing what may be done, and how 
 much beauty and enjoyment realized, on a comparatively limited space 
 of ground.] 
 
 Cheshunt Cottage, the Residence of Wm. Harrison, Esq. 
 
 F. L. S. ETC. 
 
 " All that can render a country seat delightful, and a well furnished library in the house." 
 (Evelyn's Memoirs by Bray, vol. i. p. 432.) 
 
 The sides of the road from London to Cheshunt, by Stoke Newington, 
 Edmonton, and Enfield Wash, are thickly studded with suburban houses 
 and gardens the whole distance : but, by going straight on through the 
 Ball's Pond Turnpike, and taking the country road leading out of Newing- 
 
 iVom the Road.] 
 
 ton Green, called the Green Lanes, between the Tottenham and Edmon- 
 ton road and the Barnet Road, and threading our way through numerous 
 interesting lanes, we may pass through very rural and umbrageous 
 scenery, with the appearance of but few houses of any kind. Indeed, it ■ 
 may be mentioned as one of the most remarkable circumstances in the 
 state of the country in the neighbourhood of London, that, while all the 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 453 
 
454 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 main roads are bordered by houses for some miles from town, so as almost 
 to resemble streets, there are tracts which lie between the main roads, 
 and quite near town, which have undergone little or no change in the 
 nature of their occupation for several, and apparently many, generations ; 
 at all events, not since the days of Queen Elizabeth. The tracts of 
 country to which we allude are in pasture or meadow, with crooked ir- 
 regular hedges, numerous stiles and footpaths, and occasional houses by 
 the roadsides ; the farms characterized by large hay-barns. Scenery of 
 this kind is never seen by the citizen who goes to his country seat along 
 the public road, in his family carriage or in a stage-coach ; and it is ac- 
 cordingly only known to pedestrians, and such as are not afraid of driving 
 their horses over rough roads, or meeting wagons or hay-carts in narrow 
 lanes. The road through the Green Lanes to Enfield is an excellent 
 turnpike road, always in a good state, with occasional villas near Bour 
 Farm and Palmer's Green ; and near Enfield, at Forty Hill, there is a 
 handsome church, built and endowed by Mr. Myers, opposite to his park, 
 which is filled with large and handsome trees. Afterwards it passes the 
 celebrated park of Theobalds, near where formerly stood a royal palace, 
 the favourite residence of James I., and winds in the most agreeable and 
 picturesque manner under the shade of overhanging trees. Having made 
 several turns, it leads to a lane with a brook which runs parallel to the 
 road, a foot-bridge across which forms the entrance to Mr. Harrison's 
 cottage, as exhibited in the view Fig. 1. 
 
 The ground occupied by Mr. Harrison's cottage and gardens is about 
 seven acres, exclusive of two adjoining grass fields. The grounds lie 
 entirely on one side of the house, as shown in the plan. Fig. 13, in pp. 
 476, 477. The surface of the whole is flat, and nothing is seen in the 
 horizon in any direction but distant trees. The beauties of the place, to 
 a stranger at his first glance, appear of the quiet and melancholy kind, as 
 shown in the Figs. 2, 3 ; the one looking to the right from the drawing- 
 room window and the other to the left : but, upon a nearer examination 
 by a person conversant with the subjects of botany and gardening, and 
 knowing in what rural comfort consists, these views will be found to be 
 full of intense interest, and to afford many instructive hints to the pos- 
 sessors of suburban villas or cottages. 
 
 In building the house and laying out the grounds, Mr. Harrison was 
 his own architect and Landscape Gardener ; not only devising the gene- 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 455 
 
 jiiiiMPiiii'liliTji'yli^kf 
 
 ,|1 I' II fill I\'H ' V«vi.>^^^^ 
 
456 APPENDIX. 
 
 ral design, but furnishing working-drawings of all the details of the inte- 
 rior of the cottage. His reason for fixing on the present situation for the 
 house was, the vicinity (the grounds joining) of a house and walk be- 
 longing to a relation of his late wife. This circumstance is mentioned 
 as accounting in one so fond of a garden, for fixing on a spot which had 
 neither tree nor shrub in it when he first inhabited it. Mr. Harrison in- 
 forms us, and we record it for the use of amateurs commencing, or ex- 
 tending, or improving gardens, that he commenced his operations about 
 thirty years ago, by purchasing, at a large nursery sale, large lots of ever- 
 greens, not 6 inch, high, in beds of one hundred each, such as laurels, Por- 
 tugal laurels, laurustinuses, bays, hollies, &c. ; with many lots of decid- 
 uous trees, in smaller numbers, which he planted in a nursery on his own 
 ground ; and at intervals, as he from time to time extended his garden, 
 he took out every second plant, which, with occasional particular trees 
 and shrubs from nursery grounds, constituted a continual supply for im- 
 provement and extension. This, with the hospital ground mentioned 
 hereafter, furnished the means of extensions and improvements at no 
 other expense than labour, which, when completed, gave the place the 
 appearance of an old garden ; the plants being larger than could be ob- 
 tained, or, if obtained, safely transplanted, from nurseries. This is an 
 important consideration, in addition to that of economy, well worth the 
 attention of amateur improvers of grounds or gardens. 
 
 By inspecting the plan. Fig. 4, it will be found that the house contains, 
 on the ground floor, three good living rooms, and two other rooms (n and 
 g) particularly appropriate to the residence of an amateur fond of botany 
 and gardening ; and that it is replete with every description of accomo- 
 dation and convenience requisite for the enjoyment of all the comforts 
 and luxuries that a man of taste can desire for himself or his friends. 
 
 In laying out the grounds, the first object was to insure agricultural 
 and gardening comforts ; and hence the completeness of the farm-yard, 
 and of the hot-house and frame departments, as exhibited in the plan, 
 Fig. 6. On the side of the grounds opposite to the hot-houses and flower- 
 garden are the kitchen-garden and orchard ; and though in most situa- 
 tions it would have been more convenient to have had the farm buildings, 
 the kitchen garden, and the hot-houses on the same side as the kitchen 
 offices, yet in this case no inconvenience results from their separation ; be- 
 cause the public road, as will be seen by the plan, Fig. 13, forms a ready 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 457 
 
4S8 APPENDIX. 
 
 medium of communication between them, in cases in which the commu- 
 nication through the ornamented ground would be unsightly or inconve- 
 nient. In arranging the pleasure-ground, the great object, as in all simi- 
 lar cases, was to introduce as much variety as could be conveniently 
 done in a comparatively limited space. This has been effected chiefly, 
 by distributing over the lawn a collection of trees and shrubs ; by form- 
 ing a small piece of water, and disposing of the earth excavated into hilly 
 inequalities ; and by walks leading to different points of view, indicated 
 by different kinds of covered seats or garden structures. In conducting 
 the walks, and distributing the trees and shrubs, considerable skill and 
 taste have been displayed in concealing the distant walks, and those 
 which cross the lawn in different directions, from the windows of the 
 living-rooms ; and also in never showing any walk but the one which is 
 being walked on, to a spectator making the circuit of the grounds. 
 
 Before we enter into further details, we shall describe, first, the plan of 
 the house ; secondly, that of the farm and garden offices and tlie hot- 
 houses ; and, thirdly, the general plan of the grounds. 
 
 The house, in its external form and interior arrangement, is to be con- 
 sidered as a cottage, or rather as a villa assuming a cottage character. 
 Hence, the centre part of the house, over the dining and drawing-rooms, 
 appears from the elevation of the entrance front, to be only two stories 
 high. There is, however, a concealed story over part of the offices, for 
 servants' bedrooms. 
 
 The house of which Fig. 4, is an enlarged plan, consists of : 
 a, The porch, entered from a bridge thrown across the brook, 4, as shown 
 
 in Fig. 4. 
 b b, Passage from which are seen the stairs to the bedrooms ; and in which, 
 at ii, there is a jib-door and a ventilating window, to prevent the 
 possibility of the smell from the kitchen or offices, or water-closet, 
 penetrating to the other parts of the passage. 
 
 c, Recess for coats, hats, etc., fitted up with a hat and umbrella-stand, 
 tables, etc. 
 
 d, drawing-room, with a recess at the further end, fitted up with a sofa 
 and a writing-table. 
 
 e, Dining-room, with a recess for the largest sideboard, and another for a 
 smaller sideboard and cellarets. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 459 
 
 /, Library, chiefly lighted from the roof, but having one window to the 
 garden, and a glass door to the porch, h, also looking into the garden, 
 and from which the view, Fig. 5, is obtained. This room is fitted up with 
 
 [Fig. 5. View from tlie Library Porch.] 
 
 book-cases all round ; those on each side of the fire-place being over 
 large cabinets, about 4 ft. 6 in. high, filled with a collection of shells, 
 minerals, and organic remains, etc. ; and, to save the space that would 
 otherwise be lost at the angles, pentagonal closets are formed there, in 
 which maps, and various articles that cannot be conveniently put on 
 the regular book-shelves, are kept. The doors to these corner closets 
 are not more than 9 in. in width, and they are of panelled wainscoat. 
 The shelves are fitted in front with mahogany double reeds, fixing the 
 cloth which protects the tops of the books, thus giving the appearance 
 of mahogany. 
 
 g, Museum for specimens of minerals and other curiosities, entered from 
 the porch, 7;, and lighted from that porch and from a window in the roof. 
 
 h, Porch leading to the garden from the library and museum. 
 
 t, Ladies' water-closet kept warm by the heat from the back of the 
 servants' hall fire ; the back of the fire-place being a cast iron plate. 
 ii, Jib-door, h, Plate-closet. 
 
 I, Butler's pantry, lighted from the roof. 
 
460 APPENDIX. 
 
 m, China-closet, lighted from the roof. 
 
 n, Room serving as a passage between the dining-room and the garden, 
 and also between the dining-room and the water-closet i, containing a 
 turning- lathe, a carpenter's work bench, a complete set of carpenters' 
 tools, garden tools for pruning, etc., of all sorts ; spuds with handles, 
 graduated with feet and inches, fishing tackle, archery articles, etc. 
 
 0, Inner wine-cellar, where the principal stock of wine is kept. There is 
 a ventilating opening from this cellar into the passage 6. 
 
 f, Servants' hall, 
 
 q, Outer wine-cellar, where the wine given out weekly for use is placed, 
 and entered in the butler's book. Between q and the passage 6, are 
 seen the stairs leading to the servants' bedrooms, r. Beer-cellar. 
 
 s, Kitchen, lighted from the roof, and from a window on one side. 
 
 ss, Scullery, lighted from one side, t, Housekeeper's closet, u. Coal- 
 cellar, r, Larder. 2i), Bottle rack, a:. Safe for cold meat. ?/> Wash- 
 house. 
 
 z. Knife-house, c^, filtering apparatus. 1, Ash-pit. 2, Coal-house. 
 
 3, Fire-place to the vinery at 10, in the kitchen-garden 9. 
 
 4 4, Brook. 5 5, Public road. 6, Kitchen-court. 
 
 7, Concealed path to gentleipen's water-closet. 
 
 8, Plantation of evergreens. 9, Kitchen-garden. 
 10, Vinery. 11, House servants' water-closet. 
 12, Servants' entrance. 
 
 Though it cannot be said that the arrangement of the offices of this 
 house is so good as it would be, if they were placed on each side of a 
 straight passage ; yet it will not be denied, that these offices include 
 every thing that is desirable for comfort and even luxury. The chief 
 difficulty which occurs to a stranger, in looking at the plan, is, to dis- 
 cover how several of the rooms which compose the offices are lighted ; 
 and this, it may be necessary to state, is chiefly effected from the roof; 
 a mode which, in the case of some rooms, such as a butler's pantry, china- 
 closet, plate-room, etc., is to be preferred ; but which in most cases it is 
 desirable to avoid. 
 
 The three windows to the three principal rooms being on the same side 
 of the house, and adjoining each other, must necesssrily have a sameness 
 of view ; but the quiet character intended to be produced by the idea of a 
 cottage by a road side, may be supposed to account for circumstances of 
 this kind, and for various others. 
 
APPENDIX. 461 
 
 The following are the details of the farmyard, garden offices, and hot- 
 houses, as exhibited in Fig. 6 : — 
 
 1, Rustic alcove, forming a recess under a thatched roof, which covers 
 the space from the green-house, 3, to the houses or yards, 70, 71, and 
 72. This rustic alcove has the floor paved with small pebbles, and the 
 sides and ceiling lined with young fir-wood, with the bark on. There 
 is a disguised door on the right, which leads to 69, a house for grinding- 
 mills and other machines ; and on the left, which leads to 2, the ship- 
 room. In the upper part of the central compartment, in a square re- 
 cess fronting the entrance, is a white marble statue of the Indian god 
 Gaudama, or Gaudmia. Three Elizabethan benches, each as long as 
 one of the sides of the alcove, are placed so as to disguise the doors. 
 The external appearance of this alcove is shown in Fig. 7. 
 
 2, Ship-room, paved with slate, and with the walls finished in stucco, and 
 ceiling with beams painted like oak, to which are hung Indian spears, 
 and other curiosities, and serving to contain models of ships and vessels 
 of various sorts during winter. These are placed on the pond in the 
 summer season ; square-rigged vessels at fixed anchorage, and the 
 fore-and-aft-rigged ones, whose sails traverse, such as schooners, cut- 
 ters and coasting vessels, with cables of lengths to allow of their sailing 
 without touching the edge of the pond ; and these continue constantly 
 traversing the pond when there is any wind. This room also contains 
 a variety of the warlike instruments of the savages of different coun- 
 tries, a bust of Lord Nelson, one of the Duke of Wellington, some 
 pictures in mosaic, and a number of East Indian curiosities. It serves 
 also, as a lobby to the orangery. 
 
 3, The orangery. The paths are of slate, and the centre bed, or pit, for 
 the orange trees, is covered with an open wooden grating, on which are 
 placed the smaller pots ; while the larger ones, and the boxes and tubs, 
 are let down through openings made in the grating, as deep as it may 
 be necessary for the proper effect of the heads of the trees. This house, 
 and that for Orchidacese, are heated from the boiler indicated at 61. 
 
 4, Orchidaceous and fern house, in which a is the stage for Orchidk- 
 cese, and b a cone of rockwork, chiefly of vitrified bricks, for ferns. 
 These ferns, amounting to above two dozen species, all sprang up ac- 
 cidentally from the soil attached to some plants which were sent to Mr. 
 Harrison from Rio Janeiro and other parts of South America. The 
 
462 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 
 avay© 
 
 crig. 6.] 
 
r 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 463 
 
 IFig. 6.] 
 
464 APPENDIX. 
 
 shelves round the house are also occupied with Orchidices, all of 
 which are in pots, in order that, when they come into flower, they 
 may be removed to the green-house ; as, when thus treated, as prac- 
 tised by the Duke of Devonshire at Chatsworth, they continue much 
 longer in bloom, than when kept in the degree of heat necessary for 
 their growth. 
 4 c, Lobby between the orangery (3) and the conservatory (5.) 
 4 d. An aviary for canaries, separated from the conservatory and the 
 lobby by a wire grating, and from, the orchidaceous house by a wall. 
 Both the aviary and the lobby have a glass roof in the same plane as 
 that of the conservatory, as may be seen in Fig. 8, in p. 466. In the 
 winter season the temperature of the aviary being the same as that of 
 the conservatory, the birds require little or no care, except giving them 
 food ; while they sing freely at that season, and greatly enliven this 
 part of the garden scenery. 
 5, Conservatory, with vines under the rafters. The walks are slate, the 
 shrubs are planted in a bed of free soil edged with slate, and the back 
 wall is covered with different species of Passifldra, and with the Tacsd- 
 nia pinnatistipula. 
 
 6, Camellia-house. The camellias kept in pots ; the rafters covered with 
 vines, and the back wall with passifl6ras and other climbers. This 
 house, and also 5, are heated from one boiler, as indicated at 64. 
 
 7, Geranium-house. The roof is in the ridge and furrow manner of Mr. 
 Paxton. This house, and also 8, 9, and 10, are heated from the boiler 
 indicated at 89. 
 
 8, Botanic stove. The roof is in the ridge and furrow manner of Paxton. 
 The sides of the pit are formed of slabs of slate ; and there is a slate 
 box at e, containing a plant of Musa Cavendishzi with a spike of fruit, 
 two or three of which ripen off weekly. F. is a cistern for stove aqua- 
 tics. There is a plant of Brugmansia suav6lens (Datura arbbrea L.) 
 15 ft. high, with a head 13 ft. in diameter. When we saw it, Aug. 
 10th, 277 blossoms were expanded at once, producing an effect upon 
 the spectator under the tree, when looking up, which no language can 
 describe. Last year it produced successions of blossoms, in one of 
 which 600 were fully expanded at one time. This year it has had 
 five successions of blossoms, and another is now coming out as the 
 plant expands in growth. There is a large Brugmansia coccinea in 
 this house. Both these plants are in the free soil. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 465 
 
 
 
 [Fig. 7. Rustic Alcove.] 
 
 9, House for Cape heaths. 
 
 10, Pinery. The roof of this house is in the ridge and furrow manner, 
 in imitation of Mr. Paxton's mode ; from which it differs, in having the 
 ridge about one-third higher in proportion to the breadth, in having the 
 sash-bar deeper, and placed at right angles to the crown of the ridge 
 and to the furrow, and in having the panes of twice the size which they 
 are in Mr. Paxton's roof. This house was built by Mr. Harrison's 
 carpenter, from the general idea given to him ; and before he had been 
 to Chatsworth to examine the original house with this kind of roof, 
 built there by Mr. Paxton. 
 
 11, Cucumber-pit, on M'Phail's plan. 
 
 12, Succession pine-pit, also on M'Phail's plan, in order to be heated 
 with dung linings. 
 
 13, Melon-pit. 
 
 14, Dutch cold-pit, for preserving lettuces, cauliflowers, etc., during 
 winter. 
 
 15, Tool-house and potting-shed ; the tools regularly hung on irons fixed 
 to the ceiling, or set against the wall, or laid on shelves, the place 
 for each sort of tool or implement, ropes, etc., being painted in large 
 white letters on black boards. The following rules are painted on a 
 board which is hung up in the tool-house : — 
 
 59 
 
466 
 
 APPENDIX, 
 
APPENDIX. 467 
 
 ** Rules to be observed by all persons working on these Premises, Master 
 
 and Men. 
 
 " I. For every tool or implement of any description not returned to the 
 usual place at night, or returned to a wrong place not appointed for it, or 
 returned or hung up in a dirty or unfit state for work, the forfeit is 3d. 
 
 •' II. For every heap of sweepings or rakings left at night uncleared, 
 forfeit Sd. 
 
 " III. Every penson making use of bad language to any person on 
 these premises shall forfeit, for each and every such offence, Gd. 
 
 " IV. Every person found drunk on these premises shall forfeit one 
 shilling ; and, if he be in regular employment on the premises, he shall 
 ba suspended from his employment one day for every hour he loses 
 through drunkenness. 
 
 "V. Every person who shall knowingly conceal or screen any per- 
 son offending, shall be fined double the amount of the fine for the offence 
 he so conceals, in addition to the fine of the offending party. 
 
 " VI. All forfeits to be paid to the gardener, on or before the Saturday 
 night following. If any person working regularly on the premises fail to 
 conform to the above rules and regulations, the gardener shall be at 
 liberty to stop his fines from his wages. Further, should any foreman 
 or journeyman fail to comply with the above rules and regulations (with 
 a knowledge of them,) the gardener shall be at liberty to seize and sell 
 his tools or part of them, to pay such fines, in one month from the time 
 the offence was committed. 
 
 " VII. All fines to be expended in a supper, yearly, to all the parties 
 who have been fined." 
 
 When these rules were first adopted, the fines were sufficient to afford 
 an annual supper, with beer, etc. ; but of late the amount has been so 
 small, that Mr. Harrison has found it necessary to add to it to supply beer, 
 etc., for the supper ; a proof of the excellent working of the rules. Mr. 
 Harrison remarks that these rules were established about eleven years 
 ago, and that they have been most effective in preventing all slovenly 
 practices ; an advantage which he considers as thus purchased at a very 
 cheap rate. 
 
 16, Mushrooom-shed, in which the mushrooms are grown in Oldacre'a 
 manner. 
 
468 f^i APPENDIX. 
 
 17, Wood-yard, shaded by three elm trees. 
 
 18 18, Calf-pens. 19, Cow-house. 20, Tool-house. 
 
 21, Pig'geries. 
 
 22, 23, 24, Places for fattening poultry, on Mowbray's plan, not, as 
 usual, in coops. Between this and 25, is a privy for the head gardener. 
 
 25, Place for meat for the pigs, which is passed through a shoot to 26. 
 
 26, Two tanks sunk in the ground, covered with hinged flaps, the upper 
 edges of which lap under the plate above, so as to shoot off the rain, for 
 souring the food intended for the pigs. One tank, which is much 
 smaller than the other, is used chiefly for milk and meal for the fatten- 
 ing pigs, and sows with pigs ; and the other for the wash and other 
 refuse from the house, for the store pigs, which, with the refuse from 
 the garden, apple-loft, etc., amply supplies the store pigs and sows, 
 without any purchased food, except when they have pigs sucking. 
 The good effect of the fermentation or souring is accounted for by 
 chemists, who have found that it ruptures the ultimate particles of the 
 meal or other food ; a subject treated in detail in the Quarterly Jour- 
 nal of Agriculture, vol. vii. p. 445. According to the doctrine there 
 laid down, the globules of meal, or farinaceous matter of the roots and 
 seeds of plants, lie closely compacted together, within membranes so 
 exquisitely thin and transparent that their texture is scarcely to be 
 discerned with the most powerful microscope. Each farinaceous par- 
 ticle is, therefore, considered as enveloped in a vesicle, which it is 
 necessary to burst, in order to allow the soluble or nutritious part to 
 escape. This bursting is effected by boiling, or other modes of cook- 
 ery ; and also, to a certain extent, by the stomach, when too much food 
 is not taken at a time ; but it is also effected by the heat and decom- 
 position produced by fermentation ; and, hence, fermented food, like 
 food which has been cooked, is more easily digested than uncooked or 
 unfermented food. Plants are nourished by the ultimate particles of 
 manure in the same way that animals are nourished by the ultimate 
 particles of food ; and hence fermentation is as essential to the dung- 
 hill as cookery is to food. The young gardener, as well as the young 
 farmer, may learn from this the vast importance of fermentation, in 
 preparing the food both for plants and animals. 
 
 27, Furnace and boiler, for boiling dogs' meat, heating pitch, etc. ; placed 
 in this distant and concealed spot to prevent risk from fire when pitch 
 
APPENDIX. 469 
 
 or tar is boiled ; and, when meat is boiled for dogs, to prevent the 
 smell from reaching the garden. The reason why it is found necessa- 
 ry to have a boiler for tar is, that, most of the farm-buildings and 
 garden-offices being of wood, it is found conducive to their preservation 
 occasionally to coat them with tar heated to its boiling point. 
 
 28, Open shed for lumber. 
 
 29, Dog-kennel ; adjoining which is a privy for the under gardeners. 
 
 30, Hay-barn. 31, Lean-to for straw. 
 
 32 32, Places for loaded hay-carts to unload, or to remain in when loaded 
 during the night, in order to be ready to cart to town or to market 
 early in the morning. 
 
 33, House for lumber, wood, etc. 34, Duck-house. 
 
 35 35, Houses for geese and turkeys. 
 
 36, Open shed for carts and farm implements. 
 
 37, Pond, surrounded by rockwork and quince trees. 
 
 38, House for a spring-cart. 39, Coal-house for Mr. Pratt. 
 
 40 40, Places for young chickens. 41, Yard to chicken-houses. 
 
 42. Hatching-house for hens, containing boxes, each 1 ft. square within, 
 with an opening in front 7 in. wide and 7 in. high, the top being arched, 
 so that the sides of the opening are only 5 in. high. 
 
 43, Lobby to Mr. Pratt's house. 44, His kitchen. 
 
 45, Living-room. 
 
 46, Oven, opening to 47. 
 
 47, Brewhouse, bakehouse, and scullery, containing a copper for brew- 
 ing, another for the dairy utensils, and a third for washing besides the 
 oven already mentioned. 
 
 48, Dairy. The milk dishes are of white earthenware ; zinc having 
 been tried, but having been found not to throw up the cream so speedily 
 and effectively as had been promised. One zinc dish, with handles, 
 is used for clotted cream, which is regularly made during the whole of 
 the fruit season, and occasionally for dinner parties, for preserved 
 tarts, etc. We observed here small tin cases for sending eggs and 
 butter to town. The butter, wrapped in leaves, or a butter cloth is 
 placed in the bottom of a tin box about a foot square, so as to fill the 
 box completely ; and another tin box is placed over it, the inner box 
 resting on a rebate, to prevent its crushing the butter below it. In 
 this latter box, the eggs are packed in bran, after which the cover of 
 
470 APPENDIX. 
 
 the outer one is put on, and the whole may then be sent to any dis- 
 tance by coach. The dairy is supplied with water from a pump in 
 the scullery ; the water being conveniently distributed in both places 
 by open tubes and pipes. 
 
 49, Coachman's living-room. 
 
 50, Coachman's kitchen, and stairs to two bedrooms over. 
 
 51, Court for enclosing the coachman's children. 
 
 52, Lobby to the dairy. .53, Lobby to Mr. Pratt's brew-house. 
 
 54, Cellar. 55, Chicken-yard. 
 
 56, Farmer's yard. 
 
 57, A gravelled court separating the coach-yard, 59, from the stable- 
 yard, 56. 
 
 55, Place for slaughtering in. 59, Stable-yard. 
 
 60, Shed for compost, and various other garden materials ; such as a tub 
 for liquid manure, in which it ferments and forms a scum on the top, 
 while the liquid is drawn off below by a faucet with a screw spigot, 
 such as is common in Derbyshire and other parts of the north, which 
 admits the water to come out through the under side of the faucet. 
 Here are also kept paint pots, oil cans, boxes, baskets, and a variety 
 of other matters. The whole of this shed is kept warm by the heat 
 which escapes from the fire-place in 61, and from the back of the 
 orchidaceous house, 4. 
 
 61, Fire-place and boiler for heating the orchidaceous house. 
 
 62, Place for arranging garden pots. 
 
 63, Shed, with roof of patent slates, which becomes a cheap mode of roof- 
 ing in consequence of requiring so few rafters, amply lighted from the 
 roof, and kept warm in the winter time by the heat proceeding from 
 the boilers at 61 and 64. This shed contains a potting-bench, cistern 
 of water, and compartments for mould ; and, being lofty, it contains 
 in the upper part two apartments enclosed by wirework, for curious 
 foreign pigeons or other birds. On the ground are set, during the 
 winter season, the large agaves and other succulent plants which are 
 then in a dormant state, and which are kept in the open garden during 
 summer. On the whole, this is an exceedingly convenient working- 
 shed ; being central to the houses 3, 4, 5, and 6 ; being kept comfort- 
 ably warm by the boilers ; being well lighted from the roof; and 
 having the two windows indicated at 62, before which is the potting- 
 bench. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 471 
 
 64, Fire-place to the conservatory and camellia-house. 
 
 65, Place for keeping food for the rabbits and pigeons, with stairs to the 
 pigeon-house, which is placed over it. 
 
 [t g 9 \ ew 1 um t>e Ch nese Tenj le 1 
 
 66, Rabbit-house containing twenty-one hutches, each of which is a cubic 
 box of 20 in. on the side. Each box is in two divisions, an eating-place 
 and a sleeping-place; the sleeping-place is 8 in. wide, and is entered 
 by an opening in the back part of the partition. Both divisions have 
 an outer door in front ; and, in order that the door ^of the sleeping- 
 place may not be opened by any stranger, it is fastened by an iron pin, 
 which cannot be seen or touched till the door of the eating-place is 
 opened. Mr. Pratt pointed this out to us as an improvement in the 
 construction of rabbit-hutches, well deserving of imitation wherever 
 there is any chance of boys or idle persons getting into the rabbit- 
 house. The rabbits are fed on garden vegetables and bran, barley, 
 oatmeal, and hay, making frequent changes ; the vegetables being 
 gathered three or four days before being used, and laid in a heap to 
 sweat, in order to deprive them of a portion of their moisture. Salt is 
 also given occasionally with the bran. Cleanliness, and frequent 
 change of food, have now, for five years, kept the rabbits in constant 
 
472 APPENDIX. 
 
 health. It ought never to be forgotten, that attention to the above 
 rules, in partially drying green succulent vegetables, is essential to 
 the thriving of rabbits kept in hutches ; and, hence, in London and 
 other large towns, instead of fresh vegetables, they are fed with 
 clover hay. One of the kinds of rabbit bred at Mr. Harrison's is the 
 hare rabbit, mentioned in the Encyclopedia of Agriculture, 5 7355, the 
 flesh of which resembles that of the hare, in quantity and flavour. 
 Mr. Pratt has fed rabbits here, which, when killed, weighed 11 lbs. 
 We can testify to their excellence when cooked. 
 67, Coach-house, with stairs to hay-loft. 63, Stable. 
 
 69, Mill-house, containing mills for bruising corn for poultry, a portable 
 flour mill, a lathe, and grinding-machine for sharpening garden instru- 
 ments and similar articles. In the Angel Inn in Oxford, some years 
 ago, a lathe of this sort was used for cleaning shoes, the brushes being 
 fixed to the circumference of the wheel, and the shoes apphed to them, 
 while the wheel was turned round by a tread lever, or treadle. 
 
 70, Root-house, containing bins for keeping different kinds of potatoes, 
 carrots, parsnips, Jerusalem artichokes, beets, and yellow, French, and 
 white turnips, with shelves for onions ; and a loft over, which is used 
 as a fruit room. The fruit is kept partly on shelves, and partly on cup- 
 board trays. 
 
 71, Store place for beer or ale, which is brewed by Mr. Pratt for the use 
 of the family in London, as well as Cheshunt ; here is also a regular 
 staircase to the fruit-room. 
 
 72, Harness-room, properly fitted up with every convenience, and warmed 
 by a stove. 
 
 73, A lobby or court to a door which opens to the brook, for the purpose 
 of clearing out an excavation made in the bottom of the channel, in 
 order to intercept mud, and thus render the water quite clear where it 
 passes along the pleasure-ground, and is seen from the library win- 
 dow and the grand walk, (Fig. 5, p. 459.) The whole of any mud 
 which may collect in the brook may be wheeled up a plank through 
 this door, without dirtying the walk. 
 
 74 74, The brook. 
 
 75, Foot entrance to Mr. Pratt's house, the coachman's house, the dairy, 
 etc. 
 
 76, Carriage entrance to the stable-court, garden offices, farm-yard, etc. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 473 
 
 77, Private entrance to the garden, over the rustic bridge shown in 
 Fig. 5. 
 
 78, Masses of vitrified bricks and blocks of stone, distributed among lawn 
 and shrubs ; among which, large plants of agave, and other rock exot- 
 ics, are placed in the summer season. The pots and tubs being con- 
 cealed by covering them with the stones forming the masses of rock- 
 work. Here the semicircular space surrounded by rock contains a col- 
 lection of Himalayan rhododendrons, etc., in pots, many of them seed- 
 lings which have not yet flowered. 
 
 79 79, American shrubbery, consisting chiefly of rhododendrons, azaleas 
 magnolias, etc., growing in peat earth kept moist by the brook. 
 
 80, American garden consisting of choice American shrubs, and Ameri- 
 can herbaceous plants. In the centre of the circle a handsome tazza 
 vase on a bold pedestal. 
 
 81, Two semicircles for dahlias ; the surrounding compartments con- 
 taining a collection of roses. 
 
 82, Garden of florist's flowers. 
 
 83 83, Garden of herbaceous plants, chiefly annuals. The walks in all 
 
 
 [Fig. 10. L'lsiani view of Ihe House ami Teat, across ihe Pond.] 
 
 these gardens are edged with slate. The bed 83t contains a collection 
 of choice standard roses. 84, Dahlias. 
 85, Double ascent of the steps to a mound formed of the earth removed 
 in excavating for the pond. From the platform to which these steps 
 
 60 
 
474 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 lead, there is a circuitous path to the Chinese temple ; and the steps are 
 ornameoted with Chinese vases, thus affording a note of preparation 
 for the Chinese temple. The outer sides of the steps are formed of 
 rockwork, and between the two stairs is a pedestal with Chinese or- 
 naments. 
 
 86, The Chinese temple, on the highest part of the mount formed of the 
 soil taken from the excavation now constituting the pond. The view 
 from the interior of this temple is shown in Fig. 9, p. 471. 
 
 87, Rustic steps descending from the Chinese temple to the walk which 
 borders the pond. 88, The pond. 
 
 89, Open tent, with sheet-iron roof supported by iron rods. This struc- 
 ture may be seen in the view Fig. 10. 
 
 90 90, Masses of evergreens and deciduous trees and shrubs. 
 
 91, Grotto, made late last year, not yet completed. It was formerly an 
 outer ice-house, but it failed as such. The entrance is surrounded by 
 rockwork, and the interior in the form of a horseshoe, furnished with 
 a wooden bench as a seat. Over this grotto, is an unbrella tent, as 
 shown in the view Fig. 11. 92, Dahlias. 
 
 
 [Fig. 11. Grotto, with Umbrella Tent over.] 
 
 93, Slip of ground for compost, and various other materials requisite for 
 the garden and farm-yard; communicating with the frame-ground by 
 the door 94, with the farmyard by the gate 95, and with the farm by 
 the" gate 96. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 475 
 
 94, Door from the frame-ground to the slip behind. 
 
 95, Gate from the slip to the farmyard. 
 
 96, A gate from the slip to the fields of the farm. 
 
 97, Grass field, forming part of the farm. 
 
 Fig. 13, in p. 476, 477, is a vertical profile of the gardens and plea- 
 sure-ground, with the farmyard, and a small portion of the farm. This 
 view shows : — 
 
 1, The house. 2, The domestic offices and yard. 3, Vinery in a small 
 garden. 
 
 4, Back entrance to the domestic offices, and the smaller kitchen-garden* 
 On one side of this walk is placed one of Fuller's portable ice-boxes. 
 
 5, The smaller kitchen-garden. 
 
 6, Broad border for pits ; and in which there is a cold-pit for protect- 
 ing vegetables during winter. 
 
 7, Boundary plantation. 
 
 8, Angular bricji wall, for the sake of having different aspects for the fruit 
 trees which are trained against it ; and for strength, being only one 
 brick in thickness for lessening the expense. 
 
 9, Pond in the largest kitchen-garden, supplied from the brook by pipes 
 with waste pipe to the pond on the lawn. 
 
 10, Filbert plantation. 
 
 11, Orchard and boundary plantation. 
 
 [Fig. 12. Covered Seat, of grotesque and rustic Masonry.] 
 
 12, Covered seat ; of which a view is shown in Fig. 12. In front of this 
 seat there is a mulberry tree of large dimehsions, which was trans- 
 
476 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 [Fig- 13.] 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 477 
 
 [Pig. 13. J 
 
478 APPENDIX. 
 
 planted by Mr. Harrison when it was upwards of 80 years of age. 
 The instruments with which a* number of large plants, particularly 
 shrubs, were transplanted under Mr. Harrison's directions, when the 
 grounds were being altered and enlarged, were described for us by 
 Mr. Pratt. (See Gardener^s Magazine, vol. xi. p. 134) Mr. Pratt 
 kept for.many years large plants which had suffered from many causes, 
 or which were not immediately wanted, in what he called an hospital 
 for these purposes. 
 
 13, A flower-garden, in which for several years a large AraucSiria brasi- 
 liensis stood out in the centre bed ; but it Was killed to the ground in 
 the winter of 1837-8 
 
 14, The rustic covered seat, shown in Fig. 14, in p. 479, and of which 
 Fig 15, is an elevation of the back ; showing the manner in which the 
 barked poles are arranged. 
 
 15, Basin of water for aquatics. 
 
 16, Rustic building, of which a view is shown in Fig. 16. In the inte- 
 rior is an alto-relievo of statuary marble, representing a female over a 
 funeral vase, surrounded by a sort of broad frame of corals, cornua Am- 
 monis, and large mineral specimens of different kinds. 
 
 17, Groups of roses, dahlias, and other ornamental flowers. 
 
 18, Two semicircular beds of roses. 
 
 19, A covered double seat, one half looking towards the roses, and the 
 other in the opposite direction. In the latter are kept the instruments 
 for playing at what is called lawn billiards, which is said to be a game 
 intermediate between bowls and common billiards. This game is lit- 
 tle known, but materials for playing at it are sold by Messrs. Cato 
 & Son, wire-workers, Holborn Hill, London, who send out with them 
 the following printed rules : — 
 
 "This game, which differs from all others, should be played on a 
 lawn about 12 yards square ; the socket with the ring being fixed in 
 the centre by a block of wood fixed into the earth. It may be played 
 by two or four persons, either separately, or as partners, each player 
 having a ball with a cue pointed to correspond. Care must be taken 
 to fix the ring at the end of the cue close to the ball before striking." 
 
 20, The pond. On the margin of which, at it, is the boat-house seen in 
 Fig. 17, in p. 483. 
 
 21, Descending steps through evergreens ; from which is seen the distant 
 view of the house and the tent, as in Fig. 10, in p. 473. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 479 
 
 22, Dahlia plantation. 
 
 23, Chinese temple from the interior of which is obtained the view shown 
 in Fig. 9, in p. 471. Behind the temple, a little to one side, is the 
 grotto shown at 91 in the plan, Fig. 6, in p. 462, 463 ; and also in the 
 view. Fig. 11, in p. 474. 
 
 24, The situation of the tent shown in Fig. 10. 
 
 25, The different flower and shrub gardens described in detail in the plan. 
 Fig. 6, p. 462, 463. 
 
 26, The hot-houses, pits, frames, farm buildings, &c.j shown in Fig. 6. 
 
 27, Grass fields, forming part of the farm. 
 
 23, Point from which the view of the hot-houses, Fig. 8, in p. 466, is 
 taken; and also, turning round, the view of the house, Fig. 18, in p. 485. 
 
 29, Secret entrance to the grounds. 30, Principal entrance to the house. 
 
 31, Entrance to the stable-court and farmyard. 
 
 Remarks. — In pointing out the principal sources of the professional 
 
 instruction, which a young gardener may derive from examining this 
 
 place, we shall first direct attention to the garden structures. These, 
 
 [Fig. 14. Rustic Covered Seal, of Woodwork.] 
 
 whether of the ornamental or useful kind, are executed substantially, 
 and with great care and neatness; while the farm buildings, being 
 
480 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 [Fig. 15. EleratioD of the Back.] 
 
 chiefly of wood show how great an extent of accommodation may he 
 obtained without regularity of plan, and without incurring much expense. 
 A good exercise for the young designer would be to distribute the 
 same accommodation, properly classed, along the sides of a square or 
 
 [Fig. 16. Hermit's Seat, and Clauical Vau.] 
 
APPENDIX. 481 
 
 squares, or along the sides of a parallelogram or polygon, and either 
 detached from, or connected with, the horticultural buildings. 
 
 The manner in which the working-sheds are heated by the waste heat 
 from the furnaces, in consequence of which, in severe weather, much 
 more work will be done in them, and in a better manner, and in which 
 they are lighted, so as to serve for protecting certain kinds of plants 
 during winter, is worthy of imitation ; as is the mode of heating so 
 many different houses from only three boilers. In no garden structures 
 have we seen a more judicious use of the Penryhn slate ; paths, edgings, 
 shelves, cisterns, boxes for plants, copings, kerbs, partitions, and sub- 
 stitutes for dwarf walls, being all made of it. The order and neatness 
 with which all the different tools, utensils, &c., are kept in the horticul- 
 tural and farm buildings, are most exemplary, and greatly facilitate the 
 despatch of business. 
 
 In the farm buildings, the fittings up of the poultry-houses, the rabbit- 
 house, and the dairy and dairy scullery, well deserve attention ; and also 
 the arrangement for fermenting the food of the pigs in under-ground cis- 
 terns, not too warm for summer, nor so cold as to check fermentation in 
 winter. The manure of the horses, of the cows, of the pigs, of the rabbits 
 of the pigeons, and of the poultry, is kept in separate pits, that it may 
 be used, if desirable, in making up different composts. 
 
 There are three liquid-manure tanks, in which the liquid matter, which 
 in most farmyards is wasted, is fermented, and afterwards mixed up with 
 soil for use in the kitchen-garden, or used in forming composts for particu- 
 lar plants. The liquid-manure from the stables is kept apart from that 
 from the cow-house ; and the general drainings of the yard, and of the 
 frame-ground in the kitchen-garden, are fermented by themselves. The 
 liquid manure with which Mr. Pratt waters his plants is formed chiefly of 
 the sweepings of the pigeon, rabbit, and cow houses, with lime ; and is 
 kept in a cask in a close shed, (60 in the plan Fig. 6, in p. 462, 463,) so 
 that the temperature admits of its fermenting in winter, as well as in 
 eummer : a thick scum rises to the top of the cask, and the liquid is drawn 
 out from the bottom as clear as old ale. The plants which Mr. Pratt wa- 
 ters with this liquid are chiefly those of rapid growth, such as the Datura, 
 Brugmansta, and other soft-wooded tree plants which, like these, are cut 
 in every year, and appear to profit by the stimulating effect of this manure. 
 He gives it also, occasionally, to various other plants which appear to 
 
 61 
 
482 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 want vigour ; but has not yet had sufficient experience of its effects, to 
 give a list of plants to which it ought to be applied. 
 
 In order to produce as much manure as possible, as well for the farm as 
 for the garden, all leaves, haulm, and waste vegetable matters, are care- 
 fully collected, and fermented by the addition of fresh stable dung ; and 
 heaps of different kinds of soils, procured from different parts of the coun- 
 try, are constantly kept in the slip adjoining the frame-ground, ready for 
 use. 
 
 The grounds being nearly level are readily supplied with water from 
 the ponds and from the brook ; and there are concealed wells, communica- 
 ting with these sources by pipes from the brook, in different parts of the 
 grounds, and more especially in the kitchen-garden, from Which the plants 
 can be abundantly watered in the growing season with comparatively 
 little labour; there being six different places, including the ponds and 
 brook, from which the gardeners take water, and all the strawberries are 
 planted close to the wells in the inner and outer walled gardens. 
 
 The kitchen-gardens, the hot-houses, and the store-houses and some 
 other structures can be locked up at pleasure, Mr. Harrison and Mr. Pratt 
 being the only persons having complete master keys. Part of the outer 
 kitchen-garden is enclosed with an open iron epike fence, 5 ft. 6 in. high, 
 within which and the inner walled garden are the strawberries and 
 choicest gooseberries, figs, etc., and these enclosures are opened only by 
 the master keys. The whole, therefore, of the wall and best fruit is 
 secured from plunder. 
 
 The beauties of this place, as has been already mentioned, depend 
 chiefly on the taste and judgment displayed in laying out the walks, and 
 distributing the trees and shrubs ; though the choice of a situation for 
 the pond, and the mount adjoining it, is also a matter of some consequence. 
 
 The trees and shrubs, being comparatively limited in number, consist 
 of one of almost every kind that is to be procured in British nurseries, 
 exclusive of those which are common, or not considered ornamental. In 
 selecting these, the more rare kinds have been procured, and planted quite 
 young; Mr. Harrison and Mr. Pratt having found, by experience, that 
 the pines and firs should be planted out when not more than of three or 
 four years' growth. When the plants have been in pots, the balls should 
 be gently broken with the hand, and afterwards all the earth washed away 
 from the roots by the application of water. The plant may then be placed 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 483 
 
 [Fig, 17. Boat Houfie and Agave Mount.] 
 
 on a hill of prepared mould, and the roots stretched out, so as to radiate 
 from the plant in every direction, and afterwards covered with mould. 
 
 The masses of trees and shrubs are chiefly on the mount near the lake, 
 and along the margin which shuts out the kitchen-garden; and in these 
 places they are planted in the gardenesque manner, so as to produce ir- 
 regular groups of trees, with masses of evergreen and deciduous shrubs 
 as undergrowth, intersected by glades of turf. They are scattered over 
 the general surface of the lawn, so as to produce a continually varying 
 effect, as viewed from the walks ; and so as to disguise the boundary, and 
 prevent the eye from seeing from one extremity of the grounds to the 
 other, and thus ascertain their extent. The only points at which the 
 lawn is seen directly across from the drawing-room window are in the 
 direction of Zand m, Fig. 13, in p. 476, 477; but, through these open- 
 ings, the grass field beyond appears united with the lawn ; so that the 
 extent thus given to the views from the drawing-room windows is of the 
 greatest assistance to the character of the place, with reference to extent. 
 From every other part of the grounds, the views across the lawn are in- 
 terrupted by some tree, bush, or object which conceals the boundary ; or, 
 if the boundary is seen on one side, as in passing along the walk from 16 
 by 18 to 22, there is ample space on the lawn side to keep up the idea 
 of extent. 
 
4S4 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 In many situations, this walk, as seen on paper, would be considered 
 to be too near the boundary ; but in the grounds the narrow plantation 
 from 22 to 18 is of evergreens, chiefly hollies, which already partially 
 shut out all view of the boundary or the field, and which are ultimately 
 intended to spread their upper branches over the walk, so as to give it a 
 character of shade and gloom, different from any other in these grounds. 
 
 In general, it may be laid down as a rule, that the boundary between 
 a lawn and the park or field beyond should not be such as to cut the land- 
 scape, as it were, in two ; and another rule is, that the walks should 
 never be so near this fence, or should not be so conducted when near it, 
 as to admit of the spectator looking directly across. Indeed, in scenery, 
 no rule is generally more applicable than this, viz. that all straight lines, 
 whether fences, roads, canals, or rivers, and all regular symmetrical ob- 
 jects, such as buildings, should be looked at obliquely. Applying this 
 rule, therefore, to the scenery between the walk and the fence, from 18 
 to 16, we should say that either the direction of the walk ought to be al- 
 tered, so as to remove it further from the boundary, or the boundary ex- 
 tended further into the field ; and instead of being bordered by a hedge- 
 like fringe of shrubs, it should only be broken here and there by occa- 
 sional bushes and trees, connected and harmonizing in position with 
 other trees beyond the fence. If it were desirable to avoid altering the 
 boundary, then we should recommend continuing the walk which com- 
 mences at d near 19, by n and o o, to p near 16. If there were nothing 
 to see or be seen beyond the boundary, then, unless the boundary fence 
 were a conservative wall, that is, a wall covered with half-hardy orna- 
 mental plants, we should still prefer changing the direction of the walk, 
 so as to take away from the monotonous appearance of continually skirt- 
 ing the boundary. In every place, however small, there ought to be 
 some part left which the visiter has not seen, and which may leave the 
 impression on his mind, that, however much he has been shown, he has 
 not seen every thing. We make these observations with great deference 
 to Mr. Harrison, who has paid much attention to the subject of Landscape 
 Gardening, and shown much practical taste and good sense both in that 
 art and in architncture. 
 
 It is however, right to state that Mr. Harrison accords with our gene- 
 ral view of the subject, but " defends the walk in question as an excep- 
 tion founded on Iiis objects in making it ; which were, 1st, to have a 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 486 
 
 walk different from any other in the garden ; and 2d, a walk sheltered from 
 the winter southerly gales, and ornamented by the bloom of the laurus- 
 tinus at that season. It is, therefore, so slightly curved as merely to 
 avoid a straight line ; and permits an extent of length not found in any 
 other part to be seen on descending the elevation at the east end, or on 
 emerging from wood at the west end, where, when the improvements 
 connected with it are finished, it will enter a dense plantation, the walk 
 going round at the back of the building in that corner. The fence would 
 have been entirely excluded from either near or distant view, and the 
 eye carried so as not to catch a view of the grounds of the field nearer 
 than one hundred yards or more at the least, if the laurustinuses had not 
 suffered so severely in 1837-38 ; but these will, by next year, and by 
 trees already planted along the border, and others to be planted irregu- 
 larly, at intervals, in the field near the fence, in a great measure, Mr. 
 
 [Kig. 18. Garden Front of Cheshunt Cottage.] 
 
 Harrison thinks, obviate the objection made, or, at least, lessen the force 
 of it, as future appearances will, he thinks, prove. — W. H." 
 
 The trees and shrubs on the lawn are almost all disposed in the garden- 
 esque manner ; that is, so that each individual plant may assume its 
 natural shape and habit of growth. The masses are also chiefly planted 
 in the same style ; and, as the trees and shrubs advance in growth, they 
 are cut in, or thinned out ; so that each individual, if separated from the 
 
486 APPENDIX. 
 
 mass to which it belongs, and considered by itself alone, shall be a 
 handsome plant. Atthe same time, in order to produce as much variety 
 as possible, the picturesque style of planting, in which trees and shrubs 
 are so closely grouped together as partially to injure each other's growth, 
 occasionally occurs, fur the sake of producing variety. With the excep- 
 tion of the pines and firs, the other trees have been selected more for 
 their picturesque effect and variety of foliage, than for their botanical 
 interest. Among these are the Scotch pine for its darkness ; the 
 Pdpulus angulata for its large leaves, and for its property of preserving 
 these till destroyed by severe frost, long before which all the other 
 poplars have become naked ; the A'cer macrophyllum, for its large 
 leaves ; the Montpelier maple, for its small ones ; the Negundo fra.x\ni- 
 f5lium, for its green-barked shoots ; the American oaks, for the singular 
 variety in form and colour of their foliage ; the catalpa, for its broad rich 
 yellowish leaves, and its showy blossoms, which appear late in the 
 season ; the deciduous cypress ; the bonduc, or Kentucky coffee tree ; 
 the cut-leaved alder; the tuilp tree; the purple beech; the purple 
 hazel ; the Oriental plane, of which there are several fine specimens ; 
 the variegated sycamore, and other variegated trees and shrubs, which 
 are always so beautiful in spring; those thorns and crabs which are 
 beautiful or remarkable for their blossoms in the spring, and for their 
 fruit in autumn ; the Nepal sorbus, so interesting for its large woolly 
 leaves, which die off of a fine straw colour; the magnolias; the rhodo- 
 dendrons; the heaths; the brooms; and the double-blossomed furze; 
 besides various striking or popular plants, such as the variegated hollies, 
 the scarlet arbutus, etc. Among the detached trees and small groups, 
 there is scarcely to be met with a single bush or tree that a general 
 observer will not find noticeable for something in its foliage, general 
 form, flowers, or fruit. The MagnbHa grandifldra var. exonitnsis flowers 
 freely as a standard without any protection, and was not even injured 
 by the winter of 1837-8 ; nor was A'rbutus procera, also unprotected. 
 A number of the more rare trees and shrubs, such as Araucaria brasi- 
 liensis, which had stood out eight years, A. Cunninghamii, Pinus insignis, 
 P. palustris, P. Girardidraa, P. canariensis, etc. were killed during the 
 winter of 183-78 ; and a number of others, which were severely 
 injured, are now recovering. Mr. Pratt, the head gardener, did not 
 begin to prune the trees which were injured till the rising of the sap 
 
APPENDIX. 487 
 
 showed the extent of the injury that they had received. After waiting 
 till the middle of summer, it was found that the lauristinus, sweet bay, 
 Chinese privet, and various other shrubs, were alive to the height of 
 from 3 ft. to 5 ft. ; and, after the dead wood was cut out, the plants soon 
 became covered with young shoots and foliage. 
 
 The Walks are so laid out and planted as to be sheltered or bordered 
 by evergreens, for the sake of their lively appearance during winter. 
 They are also so contrived as to be shaded from the sun by deciduous trees 
 during summer ; while these trees being naked during winter, admit the 
 sun at that season to dry the ground. The walks are laid out in differ- 
 ent directions, in order that, from whatever point the wind may blow, at 
 least one walk will be sheltered from it. The greater number are in the 
 direction of north and south ; because walks in that direction are best 
 exposed to the sun in the winter season, which is the period of the year 
 in which the pmprietor chiefly resides here. It is always desirable, in 
 a small place, that all the walks should be concealed from the windows, 
 except that immediately under the eye ; and that, in walking through 
 the grounds, no path should be seen except the one walked on, and 
 that (except in the case of a straight avenue) only for a moderate dis- 
 tance. These rules (derived from the principle of variety and intricacy) 
 have been carefully attended to by Mr. Harrison ; and hence the walk 
 from a to b, in the plan Fig. 13, in p. 476, 477, is concealed by raising 
 the turf on the side next the house higher than on the opposite side ; 
 while that from c to d is concealed by the bushes and trees at c, and 
 more especially by a large rhododendron at ee. The walk f g h \s 
 concealed from the walk i; partly by a swell in the surface of the turf 
 on the side next i, but chiefly by the bushes whichare scattered along its 
 margin. At g, there is a clump which prevents any one on the walk i 
 from seeing the line ^/; and any one on the walk g-/ from seeing the 
 line i. In walking along from/ to /i, it is clear that the trees and shrubs 
 on the left hand will always prevent the eye from seeing the walk to any 
 great distance. All the other walks through the lawn are concealed in 
 a similar manner ; so that a person walking in the grounds never sees 
 any other walk than that which lies immediately before him ; and, there- 
 fore, in looking across the lawn, he never can discover the extent either 
 of what he has seen, or of what he has yet to see. To form a great num- 
 ber of walks of this sort, and lead the spectator over them without 
 
488 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 showing him more than one walk at a time, but taking care, at the same 
 time, to let hira have frequent and extensive views across the lawn, and 
 these views always diiFerent, constitute the grand secret of making a 
 small place look large. 
 
 The walks are filled to the brim with gravel, kept firmly rolled, and 
 their grass margins are dipt, but never cut ; because the gravel, being 
 almost as high as the turf, the latter can never sink down, and swell out 
 over the former. This it invariably does when the turf is a few inches 
 higher than the gravel ; and, hence, paring off the part of the turf which 
 had projected was originally, no doubt, adopted only as a remedy for 
 the evil, though it is now erroneously practised by gardeners as an evi- 
 dence of care and good keeping. As much of the beauty of the walk 
 depends upon the beauty of its boundary, the feeling that this boundary 
 is likely to be disturbed every time the walk is cleaned, or the adjoining 
 turf mown, is extremely disagreeable. The freshly pared turf becomes 
 a spot or a scar in the scene, withdrawing the attention from the walk 
 
 ["Fig. 19. View acro^-s the Waler, looliing towards the Houie.] 
 
APPENDIX. 489 
 
 itself, and from the adjoining grounds, to a point, or rather a line, 
 which is in itself of little consequence, but which, by the paring, is 
 obtruded on the eye, so as to destroy all allusion to stability. We are 
 displeased with the paring of the edges, because it conveys the idea that 
 the walks are not finished, or that they are liable to be disturbed in this 
 way from time to time ; and nothing, either in grounds or in buildings, 
 is more unsatisfactory than an apparent want of stability or fixedness. 
 It is as much the nature of the ground to be fixed and immoveable, as it 
 is of trees and shrubs to increase in growth ; and, hence, any operation, 
 such as clipping, which seems to stop the growth of the one, is as un- 
 satisfactory to the eye as paring, which seems to derange the fixed state 
 of the other. Would that we could impress this on the minds of all 
 gardeners and their employers ! 
 
 The Pond is of an irregular shape, so arranged as with the assistance 
 of the island to prevent the whole of it, and consequently its limited 
 extent, from being seen from any one point in the garden. For the same 
 reason, the walk only goes along one side, there being but one point on the 
 western side, viz : where the iron seats are close to the agaves, from 
 which any part of the pond can be seen. The pond i? so situated as to 
 form the main feature in the right-hand view from the drawing-room 
 window, as shown in Fig. 3, in p. 417; the wooded island, (which i« 
 shown rather too much in the middle in the plan, though, perhaps, not so 
 in reality,) disguising the boundary from that and every other point of 
 view. The bank of the pond on one side is rocky, and nearly perpen- 
 dicular ; while on the other it is sloping, and partly "covered with shrubs. 
 At k in Fig. 13, in p. 477, there is a boat-house, on the top of which are 
 several large agaves, the common, the variegated, and Agave plicatilis ; 
 the tubs containing which are so disguised by rockvvork, as to create an 
 allusion to the appearance of these plants in their native hab'tats". The 
 appearance of these agaves, and also of a large crassula, is indicated in 
 a view of the boat-house. Fig. 17, in p. 483 ; and it is only from a seat 
 among these agaves that any part of the pond can be seen from this side 
 of it. Had a walk been conducted completely round the pond, and near 
 its margin, the charm of partial concealment would have been entirely 
 lost. The high banks have been formed with earth taken out of the pond, 
 and these have given occasion to a considerable variety intheinclination, 
 as well as in the direction, of the walks. The banks are planted on the 
 
 02 
 
490 APPENDIX. 
 
 same principle as the open lawn ; that is, with trees and shrubs having 
 striking foliage or showy flowers, and with a judicious mixture of ever- 
 greens to give the effect of cheerfulness in winter. In the water are 
 two large plants of Calla sethibpica Lin., which cover a space of nearly 
 5 ft. in diameter ; they have lived there through ten winters without any 
 protection, the water being 5 ft. deep ; and they flower luxuriantly every 
 year. The views across the water, to the house and to the other parts of 
 the grounds, are singularly varied, owing to the winding direction of the 
 walk, and the consequently changing position of the island, and of the 
 trees in the foreground and middle distance. One of these views may be 
 seen in Fig. 19, and others have been already given in p. 455, 471, 473, 
 483. 
 
 The Flower- Garden (25, in Fig. 13, in p. 476, 477,) is laid out, as the 
 ground plan indicates, in beds, everywhere bordered with slate : a flower- 
 garden of this kind, with the walks gravelled, having the advantage of 
 rendering the flowers accessible to ladies immediately after rain, when 
 they are often in their greatest beauty, and, at all events, in their great- 
 est freshness and vigour ; an advantage which is not obtained when the 
 beds are on turf. There are also flower-beds on turf in other parts of 
 the grounds : but these are filled with roses, dahlias, and other large- 
 growing plants in masses, the beauties of which do not require to be 
 closely examined. 
 
 III. 
 
 Note on the treatment of Lawns. 
 
 As a lawn is the ground work of a landscape garden, and as the man- 
 agement of a dressed grass surface is still a somewhat ill-understood sub- 
 ject with us, some of our readers will, perhaps, be glad to receive a very 
 few hints on this subject. 
 
 The unrivalled beauty of the " velvet lawns" of England has passed 
 into a proverb. This is undoubtedly owing, in some measure, to their 
 superior care and keeping, but mainly to the highly favourable climate of 
 that moist and sea-girt land. In a very dry climate it is nearly impos- 
 sible to preserve that emerald freshness in a grass surface, that be- 
 longs only to a country of " weeping skies." During all the present sea- 
 
APPENDIX. 401 
 
 son, on the Hudson, where we write, the constant succession of showers 
 has given us, even in the heat of mid-summer, a softness and verdure 
 of lawn that can scarcely be surpassed in any climate or country. 
 
 Our climate, however, is in the middle states one of too much heat 
 and brilliancy of sun, to allow us to keep our lawns in the best condi- 
 tion without considerable care. Beautifully verdant in spring and autumn, 
 they are often liable to suffer from drought in midsummer. On sandy 
 soils, this is especially the case, while on strong loamy soils a consider- 
 able drought will be endured without injury to the good appearence of 
 the grass. It therefore is a suggestion worthy of the attention of the 
 lover of a fine lawn, who is looking about for a country residence, to care- 
 fully avoid one where the soil is sandy. The only remedy in such a soil 
 is a tedious and expensive one, that of constant and plentiful top-dressing 
 with a compost of manure and heavy soil — marsh mud — swamp muck, or 
 the like. Should it fortunately be the case (which is very rare,) that 
 the sub-stratum is loamy, deep ploughing, or trenching, by bringing up 
 and mixing with the light surface soil some of the heavier earth from 
 below, will speedily tend to remedy the evil. 
 
 In almost all cases where the soil is of good strength, a permanent 
 lawn may be secured by preparing the soil deeply before finally laying 
 it down. This may be done readily, at but little outlay, by deep ■plough- 
 ing — a good and cheap substitute for trenching — that is to say, making 
 the plough follow three times in the same furrow. This, with manure, 
 if necessary, will secure a depth of soil sufficient to allow the roots of 
 plants to strike below the effects of a surface drought. 
 
 In sowing a lawn, the best mixture of grasses that we can recommend 
 for this climate, is a mixture of Red-top and white Clover — two natural 
 grasses found by almost every road side — in the proportion of three fourths 
 of the former, to one of the latter. 
 
 There is a common and very absurd notion current, (which we have 
 several times practically disproved,) that, in order to lay down a lawn 
 well, it is better to sow the seed along with that of some grain ; thus, 
 starving the growth of a small plant by forcing it to grow with a larger 
 and coarser one ! A whole year is always lost by this process — indeed 
 more frequently two. Many trials have convinced us, that the proper 
 mode is to sow a heavy crop of grass at once, and we advise him who de- 
 sires to have speedily a handsome turf, to follow the English practice, 
 
492 APPENDIX. 
 
 and sow from three to four bushels of seed to the acre. If this is done early 
 in the spring, he will have a lawn-like surface by mid-summer, and a fine 
 close turf the next season. 
 
 After this, the whole beauty of a lawn depends on frequent mowing. 
 Once a fortnight at the furthest, is the rule for all portions of the lawn 
 in the neighborhood of the house, or near the principal walks. A longer 
 growth than this, will only leave yellow and coarser stubble after mow- 
 ing, instead of a soft velvet surface. A broad-bladed English scythe, (to 
 be had at the shops of the seedsmen,) set nearly parallel to the surface, 
 is the instrument for the purpose, and with it a clever mower will be able 
 to shave within half an inch of the ground, without leaving any marks. 
 To free the surface from worm casts, etc., it is a common practice to roll 
 the previous evening as much as may be mown the next day. 
 
 As the neatness of a well kept lawn depends mainly upon the manner 
 in which it is mown, and as this again can only be well done where 
 there are no inequalities in the ground, it follows that the surface should 
 be kept as smooth as possible. Before sowing a lawn, too much pains 
 cannot be taken to render its surface smooth and even. After this, in the 
 spring, before the grass starts, it should be examined and all little holes 
 and irregularities filled up, and the same should be looked over at any 
 annual top-dressing that may take place. The occasional use of a heavy 
 roller, after rain, will also greatly tend to remedy all defects of this 
 nature. 
 
 Where a piece of land is long kept in lawn it must have an occasional 
 top-dressing — every two or three years, if the soil is rich, or every 
 season, if it is poor. As early as possible in the spring is the best 
 time to apply such a top-dressing, which may be a compost of any 
 decayed vegetable or animal matter — heavier and more abounding with 
 marsh mud, etc., just in proportion to the natural lightness of the soil. 
 Indeed almost every season the lawn should be looked over, all weeds 
 taken out, and any poor or impoverished spots plentifully top-dressed, 
 and, if necessary, sprinkled with a little fresh seed. Wood ashes, either 
 fresh or leached, is also one of the most efHcient fertilizers of a lawn. 
 
 We can already, especially in the finer places on the Hudson, and 
 about Boston, boast of many finely kept lawns, and we hope every day, 
 as the better class of country residences increases, to see this indis- 
 pensable feature in tasteful grounds becoming better understood and 
 more universal. 
 
APPENDIX, 493 
 
 IV. 
 
 Note on professional quackery. 
 
 Landscape Gardening, like all other arts, is not free from ignorant 
 pretenders to knowledge, who, without a spark of appreciation for the 
 beautiful in nature, boldly undertake to remodel, in what they con- 
 sider a tasteful and fashionable style, every piece of natural landscape, 
 whether of a simple or highly picturesque character. They succeed 
 in leaving behind them, on the places they attempt to improve, indubitable 
 marks of their footsteps in a sort of laboured ease, and stiff striving 
 after grace, but they are pretty certain, also, to mar, or obliterate in a 
 great degree the natural charm of any fine situation. We have seen 
 one or two examples lately where a foreign soi-disant landscape gardener 
 has completely spoiled the simply grand beauty of a fine river residence, 
 by cutting up the breadth of a fine lawn with a ridiculous effort at 
 what he considered a very charming arrangement of walks and groups 
 of trees. In this case he only followed a mode sufficiently common 
 and appropriate in a level inland country, like that of Germany, from 
 whence he introduced it, but entirely out of keeping with the bold and 
 lake-like features of the landscape which he thus made discordant. 
 
 One of this kind of improvers was, some years ago, very cleverly 
 satirized by Mr. Peacock, an English reviewer of celebrity, in a comic 
 work entitled "Headlong Hall." The latter is the name of the sup- 
 posed seat of Lord Littlebrain, who has assembled around him during the 
 Christmas feastings an odd party, among whom is Mr. Milestone, the 
 landscape gardener, evidently a portrait of " Capability Brown." Mr. 
 Milestone has been examining the estate, and, full of his projected park, 
 is exhibiting his portfolio of drawings of the proposed improvements, to 
 his host and some of the guests. 
 
 " Mr. Milestone. — This, you perceive, is the natural state of one 
 part of the grounds. Here is a wood, never yet touched by the finger 
 of taste ; thick, intricate, and gloomy. Here is a little stream, dashing 
 from stone to stone, and overshadowed with these untrimmed boughs. 
 
 Miss Tenorina. — The sweet romantic spot ! How beautifully the 
 birds must sing there on a summer evening ! 
 
 Miss Graziosa. — Dear sister ! how can you endure the horrid thicket ? 
 
494 APPENDIX. 
 
 Mr. Milestone. — You are right, Miss Graziosa : your taste is correct 
 perfectly en regie. Now, here is the same place corrected — trimmed — 
 polished — decorated — adorned. Here sweeps a plantation, in that beau- 
 tiful regular curve : there winds a gravel walk : here are parts of the 
 old wood, left in these majestic circular clumps disposed at equal distan- 
 ces with wonderful symmetry : there are some single shrubs scattered in 
 elegant profusion; here a Portugal laurel, there a juniper; here a lau- 
 ristinus, there a spruce fir ; here a larch, there a lilac ; here a rhododen- 
 dron, there an arbutus. The stream, you see, is become a canal : the 
 banks are perfectly smooth and green, sloping to the water's edge ; and 
 there is Lord Littlebrain, rowing in an elegant boat. 
 
 Squire Headlong — Magical, faith! 
 
 Mr. Milestone. — Here is another part of the grounds in its natural 
 state. Here is a large rock, with the mountain-ash rooted in its fissures, 
 overgrown, as you see, with ivy and moss ; and from this part of it bursts 
 a little fountain, that runs bubbling down its rugged sides. 
 
 Miss Tenorina. — O how beautiful ! How I should love the melody 
 of that miniature cascade ! 
 
 Mr. Milestone. — Beautiful, Miss Tenorina ! Hideous. Base, com- 
 mon, and popular. Such a thing as you may see anywhere, in wild and 
 mountainous districts. Now, observe the metamorphosis. Here is the 
 same rock, cut into the shape of a giant. In one hand he holds a horn, 
 through which the little fountain is thrown to a prodigious elevation. In 
 the other is a ponderous stone, so exactly balanced as to be apparently 
 ready to fall on the head of any person who may happen to be beneath :* 
 and there is Lord Littlebrain walking under it. 
 
 Squire Headlong. — Miraculous, by Mahomet ! 
 
 Mr. Milestone. — This is the summit of a hill, covered, as you per- 
 ceive, with wood, and with those mossy stones scattered at random under 
 the trees. 
 
 Miss Tenorina. — What a delightful spot to read in, on a summer's 
 day ! The air must be so pure, and the wind must sound so divinely 
 in the tops of those old pines ! 
 
 Mr. Milestone. — Bad taste. Miss Tenorina. Bad taste, I assure 
 you. Here is the spot improved. The trees are cut down : the stones 
 are cleared away : this is an octagonal pavilion, exactly on the centre of 
 
 * See Knight on Taste. 
 
APPENDIX. 495 
 
 the summit : and there you see Lord Littlebrain, on the top of the pavi- 
 lion, enjoying the prospect with a telescope. 
 
 Squire Headlong. — Glorious, egad ! 
 
 Mr. Milestone.— Here is a rugged mountainous road, leading through 
 impervious shades : the ass and the four goats characterize a wild un- 
 cultured scene. Here, as you perceive, it is totally changed into a beau- 
 tiful gravel-road, gracefully curving through a belt of limes ; and there 
 is Lord Littlebrain driving four-in-hand. 
 
 Squire Headlong. — Egregious, by Jupiter ! 
 
 Mr. Milestone. — Here is Littlebrain Castle, a Gothic, moss-grown 
 structure, half-blossomed in trees. Near the casement of that turret is 
 an owl peeping from the ivy. 
 
 Squire Headlong. — And devilish wise he looks. 
 
 Mr. Milestone. — Here is the new house, without a tree near it, 
 standing in the midst of an undulating lawn : a white, polished, angular 
 building, reflected to a nicety in this waveless lake : and there you see 
 Lord Littlebrain looking out of the window." 
 
 V. 
 
 Note on Walks and Roads. 
 
 In our remarks on walks and roads we omitted to say any thing of the 
 best manner of making gravel walks. We may here state that, where 
 it can easily be procured, pure pit gravel is preferable to all other 
 materials for this purpose, as it binds almost at once, and becomes a 
 firm and solid mass nearly as hard as a stone floor. Beach gravel, 
 not having an}'^ mixture of loamy particles, does not become hard 
 until after a good deal of rolling, and a little loam is often mixed with 
 it to secure its tenacity and firmness. A very thin coat of gravel will 
 render a walk superior to a path which consists only of the natural soil, 
 and such surfacing, in our dry climate, (though it frequently requires 
 renewing) is often sufficient for distant walks, or those little used except 
 in fine weather. But the approach road, and all walks immediately 
 about the dwelling should be laid at least a foot thick with gravel, to 
 insure dryness, and a firm footing at all times and seasons. The lower 
 six inches is better executed when filled with small stones— placing the 
 
496 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 six inches of gravel on the top 6f these ; and there are few new places 
 where this is not a convenient mode of getting rid of the small stones, 
 that require to be taken out Of the gardens, and various parts of the 
 premises undergoing improvement. 
 
 A word may be said here with regard to the colour of gravel. Un- 
 doubtedly in almost all examples in the natural style of landscape 
 gardening slate-coloured gravel, the kind common in nearly all parts of 
 the country, is much the most agreeable to the eye, being unobtrusive, 
 just differing sufficiently with the soil to be readily recognized as artisti- 
 cal in its effect, while it harmonizes with the colour of the ground, and 
 the soft tints of vegetation. A thirst after something new has induced 
 some persons, even in the interiour, to substitute, at considerable cost, 
 the white gravel of the sea-shore for the common pit or beach gravel. 
 The change, we think, is, in point of taste, not a happy one. The strong 
 white of this gravel, as the painters would say, disturbs the tone of a 
 simply beautiful landscape, whose prevailing tints are those of the broad 
 lawn and rich overshadowing trees, and the glare of these snowy white 
 pebbles is not, we confess, so pleasing in our eyes as the cooler and more 
 quite colour of the slate or gray gravel. When we add to this, that 
 these sea-side pebbles, seldom or never pack or become firm, it would 
 appear very evident that they are far less suitable for walks than the 
 common material. The only situation where this brilliant gravel seems to 
 us perfectly in keeping, is in the highly artificial garden of the ancient or 
 geometric style, or in the symmetrical terrace flower garden adjoining 
 the house. In these instances its striking appearance is in excellent 
 keeping with the expression of all the surrounding objects, and it renders 
 more forcible and striking the highly artificial and artistical character of 
 the scene ; and to such situations we would gladly see its use limited. 
 
 The labour and expense of keeping the roads and walks clean, and 
 free from weeds, in a place of large extent, (and some of our seats have 
 now several miles of private roads and walks within their own limits,) 
 is a very considerable item of the annual outlay of a country residence. 
 At a recent visit to Blithewood, we saw in operation there a very simple 
 implement, invented by R. Donaldson, Esq., the intelligent proprietor of 
 that beautiful place, which promises to be of important service as a 
 labour-saving machine in cleaning roads and walks. In Fig. 20 is 
 shown a sketch of this implement, in use. In general appearance it is 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 497 
 
 not unlike the frame of a wheelbarrow, except that instead of the two 
 legs it has two iron bars, reaching down to the earth, and connecting 
 with a transverse blade, about three inches wide, which is set nearly 
 parallel with the ground. The handles of the implement are held by a 
 workman, like those of the common double-tailed plough, while the horse 
 which draws it is led or ridden by a boy. With this implement, which 
 is three and a half feet wide, all the weeds in the space it covers are 
 cleared from a road or walk as rapidly as the horse can walk forward ; 
 and it is only necessary to follow with a rake and remove the weeds, 
 and the whole is in good order. 
 
 On the lower portion of the upright bars, where they rise from the 
 blade, there is an edge for cutting the turf on the sides of the walk, 
 which performs its work very well and rapidly — the horse being care- 
 fully led ; and it will, no doubt, answer perfectly for this purpose, in all 
 those walks and roads not directly around the house, or where the great- 
 est nicety is not required. 
 
 _ _ _ The simplicity of 
 
 this machine, the very 
 small cost at which 
 it is made, and the 
 great saving of ex- 
 pense and labour 
 which itsecurss, will, 
 we think, ren;'?r it a 
 valuable acquisition 
 to all owners of large 
 places, or to those 
 
 [F.g. 20. ImijlLinent m iib. at Elithew__J foi dealing grave i nds] Wlsh'Hg tO keep Up a 
 
 long series of private roads and walks in the picturesque manner. For 
 smaller gardens and grounds, where the most scrupulous nicety is ob- 
 served, there is, of course, nulhinq- tha^ will piiPOTFcdo the common hoe, 
 rake, and roller. 
 
 THE END. 
 
 63 
 
 D. H. HILL LIBRARY 
 
 North Carolina State College