Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-01-29

RURAL ORNANENTs.-A writer in Lowe
Farm aud FHeSde Journal, well remark
that the adaptation Of rural agricultural OF
naments will depend altogether on the ma
ture Of the grounds. 4 tombstone is an archi
tectural structure, which in its proper place,
may be both useful, ornamental and senti-
mental: but it would be out of place in
the flower garden. though flower gardens are
not out of place in rural cemeteries.
Ornaments, though Individually chaste and
beautiful, when harshly introduced. or for
mere display, give ofiense rather than plea
sure. Many such ornaments, though elegant
ly introduced, are not in good taste. The
architecture Of the buildings and the nature
of the grounds must in all cases decide the
fitness of architectural ornaments
Among those who have given attention to
landscape gardening some are in favor of not
only extending the architectural appearance
Of the dwelling house to the grounds. in the
form Of vases. statues, fountains. etc. but al
- Of carrying its spirit into the grounds them
selves by architectural flower gardens. not
Forgetting lpturesque-lookingp plants in close
proximity to the house. The reader must de-
eide for himself whether, with the execution
Of sparing, delicate and graceful distribu-
ton of vases, etc, which might be thought
TO contain enough Of the architectural spirit. l
he would not prefer TO the merely architec- /
tural flower gardens, the green, velvet lawn. |
gracefully mterspersed with flower beds. Dor /
ders, Towering shrubs and trees, mingled in .
the grounds in the same spirit that the real
artist paints portions of the finest land /
scapes.
That the latter Is applicable to cottages of
simple and unassuming structure. graced with
such climbing plants as the twining honey
sucke, sweet scented clematis, the morning
glory, Mexican ivy, etc. and to all pastoral
scenes in the immediate neighborhood OF dwell
ings, few will doubt nor will it be denied
that even the modest wild flowers will create
more lastingly tender and inspiring emotions
in the mind than all that art ever has accom-
plished or ever can.
Striking objects in the foreground of the
landscape are highly effective. but it will not
do to have them strike one too forciblv. They
will have to he introduced with great iuda-
ment and care, and entirely in keeping with
the architectural structures. however impos
ing or costly they may be. or many people
will have awakened in their minds more gen
ial and gratifying sensations in the sight of
simple cottage and pastoral scene
But to prevent incongruity between houses
and lands let the architecture Of the grounds
blend with the surrounding scenes If the
architectural lines be formal, then they must
lose this iormality not soon, lest the contrast
re too sudden and painful Architectural,
but more especially sculptural ornaments.
ought to be more or less near the principal
buildings. An artistic seat or resting place
is very acceptable in any convenient place,
but fantastic vases and plaster of Paris gar
deners, even works of real merit, are not de-
sirable far away in the "unpruned forest
Let us avoid extremes and aim at unity of ex-
pression. Household.