Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-08-21
DECORATIVE GARDENING


ATTENTION throughout The country, which fact
INDUCES us to borrow largely from an article
OF MS published last year in q scientific Jour
pa on the subject OF Architectural Gardening
Ane sounoness OF some Of his views on this
SUBJECT VIII not 90 unquestioned, because Of
MS advocating to some extent the revival of
the formal style of landscape gardening, which
wss once carried to the most ridiculous ex-
trenes, particularly some of the pu bile gar
Gems IN Europe, where trees were planted by
RUE and compass, and not only trimmed INFO
long blank walls Of foliage, bat were naie to
represent animals. &c. Yet his hints are VAL
liable, and he defends his modified form of
regularity and symmetery with vigor Com
mencing with the preparing Of the
ground for building he SAYS that il
may resdily be conceived that a structure if
only OF slight architectural pretensions, will
appear more complete If fronted by a terrace
or level platform, than II II is merely placed,
as II by accident, on a sloping surface. Even
a rustic cottage viii be greatly improved in
expression when set upon y fiGtingIy designed
terrace. This need not be elaborate in order to
produce the desired effect. IL merely raised a
lew feet above the surrounding surface and
finished by neatly turfed bank, an ar of pre-
priety will De gwen to the site OF the house 1,
suggests at once that proper attention has been
given 10 secure II from surface water, and that
an amply sufficient space has been carefully
ieVeled and prepared for Its reception. A, the
same time ait, By this means, is carried beyond
he mere form of the building, ana introduces a
pleasing connection between the vertical line
@ the structure, the outlines of surrounding
vegetation. ard the undulatioas OF the ground.
While there is always 4 finished appearance
attending neatly Constructed terrace n is by
NO means 10 be inferred, he says, that he an
proves OF hug. unseemiy bank of soil, I'M
furnished and slovenly prepared, that are but
too often seen piled up against The walls of the
house, frequently so high as tc be on a level
with The first floor and verardas; and fatal
alike 20 Its architectural proportions. its dura-
tiiiiy, and the health Of iss inhabitants Build
lDgs Astounding in horizontal lines, with heavy
mouldings, vice eornIees, and columnar sup
ports, particularly require the Accompaniment
~ . broad, level platform a. all events, on
their prncipal front, and if this can be ex.
Tended so as 10 allow space for intro.
oueiHg a smooth, bros4 walk, or II still
further enlarged. 10 include a formal
fCweT garden, finishing with n supporting
terrace wall, suTmoUIied by low bal ustrade
suitably divided and relieved by piers
CIgE ned effect Will invariably be produced
Public buildings, or massive and extensive
structures OF any KIND. admit OF the most eIab-
orsie display Of architectural accesso ries: but
the terrace platform must be on a proper scale
10 correspond with the size or importance o.
the structure, and all details literally treated
II order 70 produce grand and imposing ef.
feet. Vases. statuary and fountains. trees ana
shrubs OF formai and appropriate habit of
growth, will here find their fitting position
Although II Is not at all possible that such ex.
tTemes as have been perpetrated, will again be
-Ru@afSd m h.
thing nearly akin 10 these extrayagaut orna-
meniations Is represented, even in this our day
by such decorations as vases set on the ground
without pedestals, and figures OF dogs ana
lions lald upon raised platforms Of soil aad
turf. but such burlesques upon taste car not be
admitted even as humble and unambitious
substitutes for tie magnificent works OF art
thai characterized the geometrical style in its
Palry days. The grandeur of Ions. straight
avenues, and thu splendor of their yista-, must
always arrest attention. The elements tha-
produce suolinity in scene are repetition and
6oHtInHIty, and these are developed in properly
planted avenues. Let such an avenue be con-
suucted, ne ssys, from the Capitol TO tn
Potomac river, taxing the National Monumen.
as q central point in the view. Let this avenue
be planted on its margins with that beautiful
unique and appropriate tree, the Tulip Poplar,
(Lirocendron 7 aiipifera,) aying clear vista
thTee hundred feet ia width; ami an effect
would be produced Of great scenic grandeur
There is certain sublimIty Of beauty in a
perfectly straight ana JudicicusIy plantei
a'ep ue, thar Is Lot attained by any other dispo-
sItloH OF Trees.
Occasionally, in travelling through soma
81 tie older States, We get q glimpse OF
lie remains OF some fine old avenue lead
ing TO an old manson of hospitabIe aspect.
But these venerable remnants are FAST decay
-Eg; the trees generally used were Of short
lived species, ard other wise undesirable for
the purpose Ii has unfortunately become
fashionable TO decry thls mod, oo,u OF form
lLg and planting avenues. They are by some
pronounced a being stiff. formal, and destltute
Of beauty. There are those who profess that
they can see no beauty IN a road. unless lis
lines are eurvIng. and that with m mathematical
precision But beauty does not depend upon
mathematics. II can be recognized without the
ocular demonstration OF engineering processes.
A curved line is not beautiful, simply because
II curves. Other associations of the elements
@. beauty have 10 be taken into consideration
Neither is a straight line devoid OF beauty
because o. its form. On the contrary II is only
by uniformity OF color and foIm, and regu-
'arity and continuity OF line. that We can ipro.
duee grand aud imposing effects In the
"a -AeoOA VI kfon0 prOmsusCeS, l0r large
assernoleges OF pedestrians, such as are 10 BE-
found n public park, or an approach 10 a
public building, straight avenues OF amnla
width. and suitably planted, are, IN the erea.sst
degree, fitting and appropriate Independsnt
OF their intrinsic beauty, their very exidsnt
utility stamps them with a fitness 10 thu end
ID view, which Is universally aekno vledysd
and appreciated. Ali those who nave seen
Re mall in the Central PARK of New
feE~' OF emusic day." will have a
hyeiy recollection Of the effects producad
BY simple straight lined aven us., and arc hi,ec.
tuA gardening, where large assemblares of
people congregats for pleasure and recreation.
As connecting link between the horfzon,,l
and vertical lines Of streets and city architec.
ture, and the flowing or curving lines OF yerst,.
lion and undulating ground surfaces, a strsish,
avenue is IN The best taste, and hsrmonizes the
extremes Of art and nature by Q most pleasing
and agreeable transition. II Will appsa evil
cent that the geometrical STYLE has its peculiar
beauties; and that its adoption to some extent.
Is necessary In the immediate vicin ity OF build
inss. The proper connection Of the buiIding
WIN me grounds Is one Of the most decided,
A Is ore Of the least attended 10.
{. ~ Improvements. To condemn ths
beauty OF an artificial scene in the eyes OF
many persons, we have merely TO remark tina,
il is fcrmai.' They overlook the Circumstance
that formalty IN this case Is only an el.,,sp.
of harmony and Is only employed 50 far as Is