PART III. WHAT TO ATTAIN. IN proceeding to the various points which the designer of a garden should endeavour to compass, as far as the nature of the locality and other unavoidable conditions will allow, it may be well to premise that any rules here furnished can only be of general application. It is obviously impossible to lay down principles which shall embrace every variety of case; and hence some who practise landscape-gardening depend mainly on their eye, both in creating and judging of artificial scenery. Doubtless, too, there is much in almost every garden which requires it to be treated peculiarly, in some way or other; the outline and surface of the plot, the position, arrangement, and aspects of the house, and the requirements of the owner, having mostly something in them different from what they are in any other place, and consequently needing a corresponding difference of treatment. And it is in the skilful use and blending of these various objects and purposes that the art of the landscapegardener consists. In reference, therefore, to such circumstances, general rules would seem, at first sight, to be of little use, or an actual disadvantage; embarrassing and encumbering rather than aiding the practitioner. But the advantage of fixed principles, even in the most uncommon and complex examples, will only be overlooked on a cursory view. Closer observation will always show that, although there may be cases in which no recognised law could be carried out in its naked simplicity, yet that some modification or mixture of one or more rules must be adopted, in order to produce any really good effect; and that, while such a result may be accomplished by accident, it is far easier, and more satisfactory, to obtain it by design. And the difference between a garden or any work of art that bears the evidence of thought, and conveys the idea of fitness, and one the parts of which are huddled together or scattered about quite promiscuously, will be too marked and obvious to escape the notice of any intelligent observer. In what follows, then, most of the rules given will be found more or less applicable to all gardens of the class treated of; though they will often require much consideration, and some ability, to adapt them to particular localities. It will, however, be a primary aim to render them as suited as is possible to the condition of the mass of those likely to consult them. CHAPTER I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. 1. Simplicity, with a certain amount of intricacy, are, perhaps, the first things to be aimed at in laying out a garden. garden. In the absence of the one, there can, in a small space, be no indication of refined taste; and without the other, no permanent pleasure will be experienced. Seemingly anomalous as they are, they may yet be made perfectly compatible. A design may be essentially simple, without being bald or severe; and intricate, without becoming labyrinthine. Simplicity is the opposite of ostentation and extravagance; intricacy, of mere blankness. Simplicity is the offspring of the highest taste, and is a prime element in pure beauty. Not that it altogether characterises the beauty which is, "when unadorned, adorned the most." For it is perfectly consistent with some degree of chaste ornament. A garden should have more or less simplicity, according to its size and character, in its main outlines, arrangements, and furniture. The transitions in it should all be easy and flowing, the lines all graceful, the decorations elegant. Very rarely will a small garden bear being furnished with any striking evidences of wealth, or luxury, or elaboration. The hand of art should touch it so lightly as to leave few traces of its operations. Its forms and figures ought all to be gently rounded off, and unite softly with each other. Lawn and gravel, shrub, tree, and flower, with all the less common and more costly appendages, must appear to belong to one another, and to fit into the place in which they occur. In very small places, a simple lawn, without any walk through it, except that which leads from the entrance gate to the house, and sufficiently clothed with evergreens and flowers, will be preferable to a multitude of walks. And in larger gardens, the plan should be simple enough to be readily intelligible, with a little study, so that the visitor may not be always losing himself or missing his way. 2. At the same time, the intricacy which arises from a partial and pleasing involution of parts, from slight and insensible changes, and from that artful arrangement of single plants and groups which produces freshness of aspect and newness of vista from so many different points of view, must not be neglected. For a garden may be all that is correct, and tasteful, and classical, and yet, like a well-moulded countenance, prove dull, tame, and void of expression. It is play of feature—a something behind and beyond which has not been explored-novelty of expression, variation of aspect, an alluring attraction onwards after higher beauties,-that constitute, in both instances, the life, the spirit, and the charm. Intricacy is, in fact, the very soul of landscape-gardening. 3. Convenience is likewise a thing which requires to be duly studied and provided for. As, in a house, a beautiful exterior will never compensate for defective internal accommodation, so, with a garden, the most perfectly tasteful disposition of parts will never give real satisfaction, if comfort and convenience have been sacrificed. It must be remembered that a garden is intended not merely to be looked at from the windows of a house, or the elevation of a terrace walk, but to be used and to be enjoyed. The walks should therefore pass as easily and as directly to their appointed object as can well be accomplished, and they should be dry in wet weather, and smooth during drought. The land must also be well drained, so as to be capable of being worked or walked upon at all times. Every feature of interest ought always to be comfortably accessible. A flower-garden and a greenhouse should be near or adjoining the house, for the sake of affording the family ready means of examining or gathering the flowers. A kitchen-garden should also not be too far from the kitchen, that the produce may be conveyed to the latter with little labour, and without attracting observation. It should further be placed near the stable-yard, that manure may be soon removed from the one to the other. And, when practicable, a kitchen garden may, on one side at least, abut upon a road or lane, that soil, manure, &c., may be carted to it at any time. Places for preserving tools and depositing rubbish, and means for obtaining water when required, back paths or roads to the kitchen and offices, space for drying linen, if it can be afforded, lengthened walks round a paddock for exercise, with an arbour or summer-house in it for shelter from showers or storms, and for reading and retirement at other periods, are some of the various conveniences which should be taken into account in laying out a place; especially as many of them cannot be obtained at all unless they are secured in the first instance. 4. In order still further to attain the full advantage of convenience, to economise space and labour, and to make everything appear orderly and well-contrived, compactness of arrangement will be particularly influential. Nothing tends more to exhibit a want of design, or to produce general slovenliness, than a scattered and ill-considered disposal of the different parts of a place. Each department that is connected with another-and all should be but parts of a combined whole-ought not merely to adjoin but to fit into its neighbouring department, so that no space may be lost, and no untidy corners be created, and no unnecessary expenditure in the erection of walls or other divisions be occasioned. In fact, each wall or fence in the interior of a place should, if possible, be made to serve a double purpose, and act as a boundary to two separate compartments, or form a part of two distinct sets of building. Thus, the wall on the north side of a kitchen-garden may be made to constitute one of the fences to a house-yard, a garden-yard, a stable-court, and even a small farm-yard; while the back of such a wall might also be used to support various low lean-to sheds, that may happen to be needed in either of these yards. A kitchen-garden wall may also, on one of its faces, be converted into an ornamental wall, treated architecturally, as a feature in the pleasure-grounds, and used for exhibiting choice climbers. 5. Few characteristics of a garden contribute more to render it agreeable than snugness and seclusion. They serve to make it appear peculiarly one's own, converting it into a kind of sanctum. A place that has neither of these qualities might almost as well be public property. Those who love their garden often want to walk, work, ruminate, read, romp, or examine the various changes and developments of Nature in it; and to do so unobserved. All that attaches us to a garden, and renders it a |