The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-06-01
Amsbamdrw.
Landscape Gardening.
CONCLUDED.

picturesque, and increase In no small degree
the characteristic beauties of that STYLE
They should have the associations of wild
vines and plants; and, if in too regular lodges
or ridges, their line and form may be broken
at intervals by trees and shrubs upon their
fronts and along their SUBMITS. isimpossible
to give those colors, weatherings and ichens
which time and exposure so charmingly i'm
part; these can only be waited for upon cliffs
lately quarried into existence or newly ex-
posed bluffs; still they may have their new
ness and glare softened and obscured by the
addition of MOSES, plants, and mantling
vines. Detached rocks should have some
natural connection or association with adj
iacent MOSES, and be removed or hidden when
they intrude upon scenes that are elegant
and graceful.
There is perhaps no part of the improve
ment of grounds meriting so much delibera-
ton, taste and skill as that involved in the
location of Roads and Walks. To them is
delegated the important duty of conduct
ing the visitor, by the most favorable lines,
through portious of the grounds conspicuous
for natural or artificial beauty, to those points
where extended views spread their varied
charms, or where delightful vistas arrest the
wandering eye OF greatest Importance is
the main approach from the public road
This should be of proportionate width to the
dignity of the house, and never diverge at
right angles from the main thorougffare. In
its advance, while traversing parts of the
grounds attractive for diversity of surface,
beauty of foliage, elegance of embellish-
ments, and giving at the same time, the most
advantageous views, it should never be al
lowed to wander from its general purpose, or
turn from its course without some apparent
reason. An acceptable mean between formal
directness and unmeaning meandering should
be sought. Wherever DETECTION occurs, its
necessity may be made apparent by the in
PRODUCTION of group of trees, otherwise in
the way, or to avoid encountering some ir-
regularity of surface. Rough or disagreed
BILE ground is to be avoided and such impress
sions be made by the location and length of
the drive as will give due idea of the ex-
tent of the property. The first view of the
house should be given at the best distance,
and of its most striking features-and any
divergence after the house has come in sight
should be referable to the intrusion of seri-
GUS distractions
To all scenes of rural beauty Water gives
life and brilliancy, or sentiment and repose.
1t is the strong lights upon the picture which
the artist hand may deity use in glancing
rill or cleaning eddy, in shining river or
silver lake, in rainbow jet or radiant fountain.
In country so well watered as ours but few
places can be found where streams or springs
do not exist These easily improved or com
bined, may be led in brook, waterfall or lake,
through sylvan vale or tangled dell, crafty
ing the eye with delightful changes and
soothing the ear with gurgling harmonies.
The location of Lakes or Ponds should be
confined to those positions where nature
habitually places them, and their outlines
present pleasing and unstudied regularity.
For the arrangement of slopes or bluffs, in
varied form, nature gives many suggestions.
Banks may be undermined and thrown in
natural confusion, leaving to time the &C
complishment of those erosions beyond the
reach of art. At favorable points the margin
should give entrance to coves or bays, or the
slopes sweep up into miniature bluffs, whose
truthfulness may be increased by the intro
duction of few bold rocks, with smaller
fragments carelessly strewn along the ad-
iacent shore. Here verdant cape intrud-
ing among aquatic plants, as emerald finger
toying with water lilies; there vine clad
stump, with roots exposed, an apparent
victim of time and tide; again sad rock,
fecked with moss and stained and worn by
wind and wave-these, with the browning
grace of pendant boughs and feathery shrubs
of nodding rush and tufted grass, are the
materials for art to combine with naturalness
and effect, and for time to soften into har.
mony and beauty.
Where the expense of water admits, Islands
should be introduced for the charm of their
verdure and the grace of their reflections
They should be nearest one side of the lake,
and be associated with some projecting point
as though once belonging thereto. Placed
in inlets or bays they obstruct and break up
the spirit of the outline. Unless the stream
which supplies the lake be bold and attrac
tive, its entrance should be concealed by ar
island group; and the head of the dam form
ing the lake, necessarily formal and unnatu
raj, may be curtained by islands well cover
ed with foliage. Near the margin OF the
lake, shrubbery and vines, in groups and
thickets, and on the ascending slopes, larger
trees should be planted. The stems of the
trees must be subdued or hidden by under
growth, to exclude the eye from intrusion
into the intricacies beyond, and to prevent
badness and openness so undesirable in sucl
localities.
Small streams, as brooks and rivulets, in
distant parts of grounds, may sometimes
where there are natural features to favor the
change, be diverted from their beds and
broug hit within more desirable surroundings
The natural forms of the beds and channels
of these streams may often be altered and
improved by widening into pools, or break
ing the quiet flow by the insertion of rocks
or pebbles. Rapids and waterfalls are the
most delightful features in all landscapes
The voice of falling waters, and the melodi