T^ ^^^am. OT iilii > DDDDDDDDDDDDDDaaDDDDDnDDDDaaDDag D ,- - -- - - q a 3 a 5 D 3 a 5 D 3 a -^ ln*P * ■' B \ ^mM ^ B '* Verdant Sculpture," by Pope, appeared in the " Guardian^^ in the succeeding year. In the former, the superiority of the beauty of natural expression is most effectively shown, and the philosophical principles of Landscape Gardening suggested, in the latter, the absurdities of the ancient style are pointed out in a masterly manner.* Kent was the first artist who, fully entering into the spirit of these reformers in taste, fairly put in execution on a large scale what they suggested in theory. "Painter enough," says Horace Walpole, "to taste the charms of landscape, bold and opinionative enough to dare and dictate, and born with a genius to strike out a great system ; from the twilight * "Among the first examples of modern Landscape Gardening were those given by Pope and Addison. In so far as was practicable, on a spot of little more than two acres. Pope practised what he wrote : and his well known garden at Twick- enham contained, so early as 1716, some highly picturesque and natural looking scenery ; accurately described by contemporary writers. Addison had a small retirement at Bilton, near Rugby, laid out in what ma}' be called a rural style, which still exists with very little alteration besides that of time." — Encyclopadia of Gardening. HISTORICAL NOTICES. 17 of imperfect essays, he realized the compositions of the great- est masters in painting."* The effect of these practical illus- trations of the beauties of the new style, was astonishing, and the taste soon spread in a most rapid manner throughout England. It has been asserted by continental authors, that the English borrowed their ideas of the natural style from the Chinese. But the assertion is destitute of foundation. The gardens of the Chinese, as illustrated by Sir William Templef in a work about that period, though characterized by great irregularity, are full of littlenesses and puerile conceits, far below the standard of natural beauty aimed at by the English. Among other authors whose works were devoted to the improvement of Landscape Gardening in the modern or na- tural style, we shall mention the following principal ones in addition to those already quoted, for the benefit of the reader who wishes to pursue the subject further than we are able to lead him. Mason^s Essay on Design in Gardenings first published in 1768. Whately^s Observations on Modern Gardening, 1770. The English Garden, a poem, by W. Mason, in 1782. Prices Essays on the Picturesque, and on the use of studying pictures with a view to the improve- ment of real Landscape, 1794. Horace Walpole^s History of Modern Gardening, published in 1782. Repton's Obser- vations on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gar- dening, in 1795. Among French authors we will only refer to Girardin, whose work De la Composition des Paysages, was published in 1783, and the Abbe De Lille, the author of an exquisite poem on this subject, " Les Jar- dins," in 1820. * History of Modern Gardening. t See also Sir William Chambers' Designs for Chinese Building?, he, 3 18 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 which 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 intellio-ent and the wealthiest aristocracy in the world, have indeed made, as it were, 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 ranging 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, HISTORICAL NOTICES. 19 which is there called the English or natural style, yet in the neighbourhood 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 accompaniments 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 Italian gardens are more striking from their profusion of statues, busts, and other mural orna- ments, interspersed with fountains and jets-d'eau, than from the beauty or rarity of their vegetation or from their ar- rangement. In tlie 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 we have, on the other hand, a larger class of independent landholders, who, in many respects, are intelligent and well educated, than any other country in the civilized world can at present boast. The number of individuals amono: us who possess wealth and refinement sufficient 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 realized without any enor- mous expenditure of means, is every day increasing. And although, until lately, a very meagre plan of laying out the grounds about a residence, was all that we could lav claim 20 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. to, yet the taste for elegant rural improvements is advancing now so rapidly, that we have no hesitation in affirming 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. Although, as is necessarily the case where amateurs of any art are more numerous than its professors, there will be, in devising and carrying plans into execution, an abundance of 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 the whole will in the end be highly agreeable, as a false taste is not likely to be a perma- nent one, in a community where every thing is so much the subject of criticism. In so far as regards the literature and practice of Landscape Gardening as an art, in North America, almost every thing is yet before us, but little that we can refer to, having yet been done. Almost all the improvements in the grounds of our finest country residences, have been carried on under the direction of the proprietors themselves, suggested by their natural 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 yet published which treats directly of Landscape Gardening, is the Ameri- can Gardener^s 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 the celebrated HISTORICAL NOTICES. 21 Horticulturist, the Chevalier 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 oct 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 plans. 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 flourish in this latitude in classes, according to their height, &c., and published a short treatise on the superior claims of the natural, over the formal or geometric style of laying out grounds. In short, we con- sider M. Parmentier's labours and example as having effected, directly, far more for Landscape Gardening in America, than those of any other individual whatever. «- To the novice in Landscape Gardening and Rural Em- bellishment, nothing is more instructive than a personal in- spection of country seats, where the grounds are laid out in a tasteful manner. In examining such, the mind is at a single view more fully impressed with the beauties of the art and its capabilities, than by ten times the amount of time 22 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. spent in investigating the theory without any such practical illustrations. And although we have but iew such as might be termed " show places," yet we shall venture to refer the reader to several examples which have considerable reputa- tion among us as elegant country residences. Hyde Park, on the Hudson, the seat of the late Dr. Hosack, 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 from the neighbourhood of the house itself, including as they do the noble Hudson, and the superb wooded valley which stretches away until bounded at the horizon by the distant summits of the blue Cattskills, are unrivalled in picturesque beauty. But the efforts of art are not unworthy so rare a lo- cality ; and while the native woods and beautifully undulating grounds are preserved in their original state, the pleasure grounds, roads, walks, drives, and new plantations, have been laid out in so tasteful a manner as to heighten the charms of nature. Large and costly hot-houses were erected, and elegant entrance lodges at two points on the estate, a fine bridge over the stream, and numerous pavilions and seats commanding exten- sive prospects ; in short, nothing was spared to render this seat one of the very finest in America. The park, which at one time contained some fine deer, afforded a delightful drive within itself^ as the whole estate numbered about seven hun- dred 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. Since the death of Dr. Hosack, the place has lost something of the high keeping which it formerly evinced, but we still consider it one of the most instructive seats in this country. HISTORICAL NOTICES. 23 BlitheiDood, the seat of R. Donaldson, Esq. near Barrytown on the Hudson river, is one of the most tasteful villa residen- ces in the Union. The lawn or park, which commands a view of surpassing beauty, is studded with groups of fine fo- rest trees, beneath which are delightful walks leading in easy curves to rustic seats, summer houses, etc. disposed in seclu- ded spots, or to openings affording the most lovely pros- pects. (See Frontispiece.) In various situations near the house and upon the lawn, Maltese vases exquisitely sculptured in stone, are disposed in such a manner as to give a classic air to the grounds. The entrance lodge, built in the English cottage style, is exceedingly neat and appropriate, and the whole place may be considered quite a model of elegant ar- rangement ; such indeed as may fairly come within the reach of numbers of our wealthy proprietors, did they possess the taste, as well as the means, for this species of refined enjoy- ment. There are one or two old and celebrated country residences on the Hudson, in the possession of the Livingston family, in the neighbourhood of Barrytown. The magnificent single trees, groups, masses, and rolling woods, which seem as if tastefully disposed in the modern style over an extensive un- dulating park, covered with the finest turf, give these seats very much the air of an old European residence ; which per- haps they resemble, more than any mansion residences that we have in the United States. These places owe almost their entire beauty to nature, as nearly all the fine trees, groves, and woods, are the natural growth of the soil ; such as indeed once covered many of our fine river valleys, but which have fallen a prey to the licentious axe of the woodman in so many thousand instances. Here, just so much of the natural growth of timber has been retained, as to clothe the estate with a truly 24 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. noble garniture, and the proportions of meadow, or lawn and wood, as well as the arrangement and situation of the latter, have been so judiciously managed, that, as we before mention- ed, much of the effect of the finest park, carefully laid out, and planted in the modern style of landscape gardening is pro- duced, mainly by retaining and preserving the materials of which nature has here been so extremely prodigal. The gardens and grounds of Lemon Hill, once the resi- dence of H. Pratt, Esq. near Philadelphia, are familiar exam- ples to many of our readers, of the geometric style. These gardens, when in their perfection, some ten years ago, were filled with a collection of the rarest and most costly exotics' as well as a great variety of fine native trees and shrubs, which interspersed with statues and busts, ponds, jets d'eau^ and waterworks of various descriptions, produced certainly, a very brilliant, though decidedly artificial effect. An ex- tensive range of hot-houses, curious grottoes and spring- houses, as well as every other gardenesque structure, gave variety and interest to this celebrated spot, which we regret the rapidly extending growth and the mania for improvement, there as in some of our other cities, has now nearly destroyed and obliterated. The garden of the Van Rensselaer Manor, near Albany, may be given as another specimen, on a large scale, of the geometric mode of gardening. In the suburbs of Boston, a far greater number of elegant country seats of moderate extent are to be found, than in any other equally small neighbourhood in the Union. Many of these are no doubt familiar to our readers. Among the most celebrated are those of J. P. Gushing, Esq. at Watertown, the Hon. John Lowell at Roxbury, and Col. Perkins at Brookline. These, with many other beautiful villa residences of less ex- HISTORICAL NOTICES. 25 tent, are remarkable for elegant arrangement and for the high keeping of the grounds, as well as the perfection to which the art of gardening is carried within their precints.* In short, we consider these places as fine models of a species of country residence, which will undoubtedly become the most popular in this country. While the extent of ground embraced in these country seats, is rarely greater than is easily obtained every- where in situations most desirable in the country, it includes every thing which can render a country seat delightful ; beautiful pleasure grounds large enough to admit of a park- like character, varied with trees in irregular groups, smooth lawns, and firm gravel roads, and walks ; flower and kitchen gardens well stocked with floral beauties, and the most excellent culinary productions ; and hot houses and forcing houses, filled with all that can minister to the eye or the pa- late. In short, this class of residences, while it comes within the reach of such moderate fortunes as are not very rare in a * 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, which owe their bareness and destitution of foliage to the idea,, so common, that it requires " an a^e " for forest trees to '^ grow up." The middle aged man, hesitates about the good of planting what he imagines 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 tine wood of planted trees. About two years since, we had the pleasure of visiting the seat of the late iMr. 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 information 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,) near half a mile in I'^nsth, consistine of almost ail our finer hardy trees, many of them apparently full grown, the whole of which 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 hiis estate. Wecan 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 Las become almost identified with our own progress and existence. 26 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. republic, yields to the possessor all that is really gratifying or delightful in the overorown estates of a titled aristocracv. There are several other country residences, which have been quite celebrated as specimens of Landscape Gardening, and we regret that the limits of a single volume will not permit us to refer to them in detail. Waltham House, about nine miles from Boston, the seat of Theodore Lyman, Esq., has an extensive park, and fine grounds. The seat of Mr. Wadsworth, in the beautiful Genesee Valley, is remarkable for the tasteful design exhibited in the house and grounds. Monte Viedo, the residence of Daniel Wordsworth, Esq., is one of the prettiest residences in Connecticut. The grounds of the Count de Survilliers, at Bordentown, N. J., are remark- able for their extent; and although the surface is extremely flat, it has been well varied by extensive plantations. 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 grounds, 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, or with the most limited means. While we shall endeavour, in the following pages, to give such a view of modern Landscape Gardening, as will enable the improver to proceed with his fascinating operations in embellishing the country 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- HISTORICAL NOTICES. 27 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. A natural 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. 28 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. SECTION II. BEAUTIES OF LANDSCAPE GARDENING. Capacities of thp art. The aim of 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 Gardenesque style. The principles of Unity and Variety. " Here Nature in h§r unaffected dresse, Plaited with vallies and imbost with hills, Enchast with silver streams, and fringed with woods. Sits lovely." Chambkrlayne. " II est des soina plus doux, un art plus enchanteur C'est peu de charmer I'csil, il faut parler au cceur. Avez-vons done connu ces rapports invisibles Des corps inanimfes 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 Jardins, 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 upon the con. "' sideration of the different results which are to be sought after, or in other words, what ^^""^ kinds of beauty are generally to be realized in Landscape Gardening:. To attempt a great work in any art, without knowing either the capacities of that art, ortlie great BEAUTIES OF THE ART. 29 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 eftbrts, the real excellence of our production, or of judging of its merit comparatively, as a work of taste and imagination. From the remarks which we have already made on the geometric style of gardening, it will be seen that the ends in view were to be attained in a merely mechanical manner, with but little study or theory upon the subject. Nothing is more easy than to level ground naturally uneven, or to make an avenue by planting two rows of trees on either side of a broad walk. Even in the more intricate and laboured specimens of the ancient style, the results evince a fertility of invention and odd conceits, rather than the exercise of the faculty of taste, or imagination. Indeed, the ancient style, as commonly practised, scarcely lays claim to be more than a mechanical art, and the professors of the modern schools, conjointly with men of genius and intellect, who have been its amateurs, have raised Landscape Gardening to the rank it now occu- pies as an art of taste. 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 or natural, and picturesque beauty : or to speak more definitely, the beauty characterized by simple and flowing forms, and the beauty ex- pressed by striking, irregular, spirited forms. The admirer of nature, as well as the lover of pictures and engravings, will at once recall to mind examples of scenes distinctly expressive of each of these kinds of beauty. In nature, perhaps, some gently undulating plain covered Avith 30 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 elegant trunks sup- port masses of foliage flowing in outline, or gracefully droop- ing to the very turf beneath them. In such a scene we be- hold the azure of heaven, and its silvery clouds as well as the deep verdure of the luxuriant and shadowy branches, re- flected in the placid bosom of a sylvan lake : the shores of the latter jutting out, and receding back, in gently curved lines ; the banks, sometimes covered with soft verdure and enamelled with flowers, and in other portions clothed with luxuriant masses of verdant shrubs. Here are all the ele- ments of what is termed natural beauty, — or a landscape characterized by natural, 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 in 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 shadowy foliage, form prominent objects in the foreground. If water enliven 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 well-worn wheel of the old mill in the middle ground, and we shall have an illus- BEAUTIES OF THE ART. 31 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 those inimitable landscapes which are the works of this great master, we see portrayed all those graceful and flowing forms, and all that harmonious colouring, which delight so much the mind of genuine taste and sensibility, and which, based upon a study of beautiful nature and art, in the finest portion of the globe, have never since, and may perhaps never again be equalled. On the other hand, where shall we find all the elements of the picturesque, more graphically combined, than in the vig- orous 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 vio^orous imagination, nursed amid scenes teemina; 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 or natural, and of pic- turesque beauty, we have not intended them to be understood in the light of exact models for imitation in Landscape Gard- ening— 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 32 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 ob- jects, either picturesque or simply beautiful, will often confer their character upon a whole landscape, as the destruction of a single group of bold rocks covered with wood, may render a scene, once picturesque, completely insipid. A question that may not be unlikely to occur to the novice in these matters is, which is the superior character of Land- scape, considered in reference to the art now before us ? To answer this question directly, would be to side with one or the other of the two schools or parties in Landscape Gardening which waged battle so fiercely in England during the last century, viz : the Picturesque School, at the head of which were Price and Knight, and the more formal school, whose champions were Brown and Repton ; the former, desiring to see all country residences highly picturesque, and the latter, perhaps, verging too much into the rules of an unvarying art. There can, however, be little doubt that it is requisite to possess a greater degree of imagination, and perhaps more of that vigour of mind, termed genius, fully to appreciate the beauty of the more picturesque forms of nature. Even among artists, while there are many who are able to feel and portray nature in her ordinary developements, how few can make the canvass glow with the expression of her grander and more picturesque beauties ! And among mere admirers, it is the multitude, that see and feel the power of beauty in her graceful and flowing forms — but only the imaginative and cultivated few, who appreciate her more free and spirited charms. So also, there are perhaps, a thousand who admire the elegant forms and the undulating outlines which pre- dominate in the park or pleasure grounds, as we generally BEAUTIES OF THE ART. 33 see them, where there is one who would prefer a cottage ia a highly irregular and picturesque valley, or a castle on a rocky crag ; though the latter may, to certain minds, be a thousand times more enchanting. After having: familiarized ourselves with the leading ex- pressions of beauty in wild scenery, the question arises in what manner is nature to be imitated in Landscape Garden- ing ? To produce an actual fac-simile of nature, in the grounds of a country residence, appears to have been the sole idea of some of the early writers on the natural style. These, tired of the formalities of Geometric Gardening, almost ran into the opposite extreme, of rendering the pleasure grounds like a wild dingle, forgetting that the principles of imitation com- mon to the other fine arts, are, to a certain extent, equally applicable to this. And that, although fac-simile imitations of nature are really capable of affording much rational pleas- ure, yet they have no claim to be considered as the production of an imitative fine art. The pleasure they give rise to, being precisely that afibrded by natural scenery. M. Q,uatremere de Cluincy, has defined the end of imita- tion to be, " to present to the senses and the mind, through the intervention of the fine arts, images which, in all the different forms of iniitatioti, shall fur7iish an aggregate of perfection and ideal beauty to which particular models afford no eqiialP* In this sentence may be found the true nature of imitation in Landscape Gardening, only partially known and acted upon by its earlier professors. The most elevated kind of beauty in landscapes, of what- ever description, is undoubtedly that of expression. And the highest imitative effects of the art, therefore, consist in arranging the materials, so as to create emotions of grace, * Essay on Imitation in the Fine Arts, p. 150. 5 34 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. elegance, picturesqueness, or grandeur, joined with unity, harmony, and variety, more distinct and more forcible than are suggested by natural scenery ; producing by this means intellectual gratification, separate and distinct from that arising from the mere admiration of forms or materials em- ployed. The bemi ideal in Landscape Gardening as a fine art, ap- pears to us to be embraced in the creation of scenery expres- sive of a peculiar kind of beauty, as the elegant or pictur- esque, the materials of which are, to a certain extent, different from those in wild nature, being composed of the floral and arboricultural 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 character- ized 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. A fac-simile imitation of nature in gardening, that is, a scene like wild nature, in which only wild trees, shrubs, and plants, are employed, and which is precisely like wild nature, produces pleasure only as it deceives us, and appears to be nature itself An artistical imitation, affords pleasure to the mind, not only by the expressions of natural beauty which we discover in it, but by the more novel and choicer forms in which they are displayed, and by the tasteful art apparent in the arrangement. The relative merit of the two may be illustrated, by comparing the first, to the counterfeit of the hu- man figure in wax, which at a short distance maybe thought real, and the last, to the painted landscape or the marble statue. The two latter are no less imitations of nature, than the former, but they are expressive and elegant imitations BEAUTIES OF THE ART. 35 only, which are never to be mistaken for the originals, as in the case of the wax figure.* One of the chief elements of artistical imitation in Land- scape Gardening, being a difference in the materials employed in the imitation of nature from those in nature herself, nothing can be more apparent, than the necessity of introducing large- ly, exotic ornamental trees, shrubs and plants, instead of those of indigenous growth. Thus, to take the simplest example, if we suppose a lawn of an acre, arranged with groups of trees, the • groups composed of lindens, horse-chestnuts and magnolias, where the native forests are only filled with oak and ash trees, the variety of the foliage and blossoms alone, will at once suggest the recognition of art. Borders of rare flow- ers, and climbing plants, — gravel walks, in the place of com- mon paths or roads, — smooth turf, instead of wild meadow, — elegant vases and architectural ornaments, with many other accessories, bespeaking the presence of tasteful and en- lightened mind : all these are the essential characteristics of Landscape Gardening, considered as an art of imitation. Besides picturesque and beautiful imitations of nature, another mode has recently arisen in England, which Mr. Loudon has very appropriately named the Gardenesque style. The style is evidently founded rather upon a culti- * " 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 copyistof visible nature, is capable of seizing it with poetic fooling, and representing it in its more dignified sense : such for example as Rapliael, Poussin, Claude, &ic." — Weinuueuner. 36 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. vated taste for Botany and Horticulture, and a desire to ex- hibit every variety of rare ornamental tree and plant, than upon any new element of desian. As its characteristic fea- tures are little known here, we shall place them before the reader as they have been delineated by Mr. Loudon. 'Where the ^arc^ene^^^ie style of imitating nature is to be employed, the trees and herbaceous plants must be separated ; and instead of being grouped together as in forest scenery, where two trees, or a tree and a shrub often appear to spring from the same root, every gardenesque group mu.st consist of trees which do not touch each other, and which only become groups by being as near together as is practicable without touching, and by being apart from large masses, or from sin- gle trees or rows of trees. It is not meant by this, that in the gardenesque, the trees composing a group should all be equal- ly distant from one another: for in that case they would not form a whole, which the word group always implies. On the contrary, though all the trees in a gardenesque group ought to be so far separated from each other as not to touch, yet the degrees of separation may be as different as the de- signer chooses, provided the idea of a group is never lost sight of. In laying out grounds, it is necessary always to bear in mind the difference between the gardenesque and the pictur- esque, that is, between a plantation made merely for pictur- esque effect, and another made for gardenesque effect. In planting, thinning, and pruning, in order to produce the lat- ter effect, the beauty of every individual tree and shrub, as a single object is to be taken into consideration, as well as the beauty of the mass ; while in planting, thinning, and pruning for picturesque effect, the beauty of individual trees or shrubs is of little consequence, because no tree or shrub in BEAUTIES OF THE ART. 37 a picturesque plantation or scene should stand isolated — each should be considered as merely forming^ part of a group or mass. When planted, the trees and shrubs should be scattered over the ground in the most irregular manner, both in their disposition with reference to their immediate effect as plants, and with reference to their future effect as trees and shrubs. In some places trees should prevail, in others shrubs. In some parts the plantation should be thick, in others thin — two or three trees or a tree and shrub ought often to be planted together, and this more especially on lawns over which trees and shrubs are to be scattered in the picturesque manner. Where, on the contrary, they are to be scattered in the gardenesque manner, every tree and shrub should stand singly, as in the geometrical manner they should stand in regular lines or in some geometrical figure. In the garden- esque there may be single trees and single shrubs ; but there can be no such thing as a single tree in the picturesque. Every tree in the picturesque style of laying out grounds must be grouped with something else, if it should be merely a shrub, a twiningplant, a tuft of grass, or other plants at its root. In the gardenesque, the beauty of the isolated tree consists in the manner in which it is grown ; in the picturesque the beauty of a tree or shrub, as of every other object in the land- scape, consists in its fitness to group with other objects. Now the fitness of one object to group with another evidently does not consist in the perfection of the form of that object, but rather in that imperfection which requires another object to render it complete.' In this description of the gardenesque mode of imitating nature, we perceive that the exhibition of a highly developed 38 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. State of cultivation is the predominant characteristic. The trees and shrubs are grown to the highest possible perfection, and every angle is, as it were, rounded with a species of ele- gant art. The object is, therefore, mainly to produce highly elegant and polished forms. The gardenesque imitation, and what we have termed a simply beautiful imitation of nature, may at first sight appear to be the same. But there is a strongly marked difference. In an imitation of beautiful and of picturesque nature, the expression of the whole scene is the object never to be lost sight of. It is characterized no less by the form of the ground and by the individual character of the trees them- selves, than by the mere arrangement of the trees singly or in groups, and the cultivation to which they are afterwards subjected. Thus, as we shall hereafter point out, the expres- sion of the larch is different from that of the willow, the oak from that of the elm, and so in numerous other trees both native and exotic. Now the gardenesque mode of im- itation, readily admits in the same scenes every species of tree, provided it is planted separately and afterwards grown in the manner required by that mode, — because it depends for its character mainly on the beauty of form as developed by culture. But in beautiful or picturesque imitations of nature, a predominance of such trees and other objects is requisite, as in themselves are intrinsically expressive of either graceful beauty, or picturesque beauty. The art of culture, as in thinning, pruning, etc., is directed rather to heighten those peculiar expressions, whether in the single tree or in the group, than to endeavour to produce luxuriance, or the beauty of culture. In the imitative scale, viewing the different modes of Land- scape Gardening as works of art, fac-simile imitations of na- BEAUTIES OF THE ART. 39 tare rank the lowest; nature in them being imitated in her own forms and materials, in such a manner as to produce none of the pleasure experienced in the contemplation of art. Next to these, we should place imitations in the geometric and in the gardenesque manner, as these depend upon choice materials arranged in regular and systematic, or in elegant and artistical forms, for the admiration which they elicit. And highest in the scale, we rank picturesque and beautiful imi- tations of nature, which join to fine forms, and elegance in arrangement, the higher beauty of sentiment or expression. In practice, however, the entire new arrangement, or in other words, the creation of a landscape garden on a large scale, will seldom be attempted in this country. In a multi- tude of examples in the United States, the grounds of places to be improved as country residences, have already a conside- rable degree of natural beauty, in scattered groups and thick- ets of trees, etc., for the destruction of which no theory of art will apologize ! The art of Landscape Gardening, in these instances, will be displayed in adding, to the natural beauties already existing, all those graces and elegancies which are its characteristics. Smoothing all harshnesses inconsistent with refined habitation, introducing groups of rare and beau- tiful trees, shrubs, and plants, and heightening the whole by a polish and keeping, corresponding to the style and character of the place and mansion, or the wealth and means of its occupant. Besides these beauties of form and expression in the diffe- rent modes of laying out grounds, there are certain universal and inherent beauties, common to all the 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 and VARIETY. Uniti/, or the production of a whole, is a leading principle of the highest importance in every art of taste or design, 40 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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, one half of which is constructed of wood, with square windows, and the remaining half of brick or stone, with long and nar- row windows. However well such a building may be con- structed, or however nicely the different proportions of the edi- fice may be adjusted, it is evident it can never form a satis- factory whole. The mind can only account for such an ab- surdity, by supposing it to have been built by two individuals, or at two different times, as there is nothing indicating a unity of mind in its composition. 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 leading directly up to the house. Such a view can never appear as 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 BEAUTIES OF THE ART. 41 the groups and connected masses may in themselves be ele- gant, yet the two portions will not form a whole when seen together, because they cannot form a composite idea. For the same reason there is something unpleasing in the intro- duction of fruit trees among elegant ornamental trees on a lawn, or even in assembling together in the same beds flower- ing plants and culinary vegetables. One class of vegetation suggesting the useful alone to the mind, and the other only the elegant and ornamental — the two sensations not readily uniting together. 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 recognised, if there are one or two of large size with which the others appear connected as branches, than if they were all equal in breadth and presented the same appearance to the eye in passing. In all works of art which command universal admiration, we discover a unity of conception and composition, a unity of taste and execution. To assemble in a single composition, forms which are discordant, and portions dissimilar in plan, can only afford 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 aflbrding the most permanent enjoyment to educated minds, every- where and at all periods of time. After unity, the principle of Variety is worthy of con- 6 y 42 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. sideration, as a fertile source of beauty in Landscape Garden- ing. The former principle might be carried so far by some minds, as to produce monotony, as it may be so totally neg- lected by others, as to lead to compositions only characterized by discordant assemblages of objects. Variety must be con- sidered as belonging more to the details, than to the produc- tion of a whole. By producing certain contrasts, it creates in scenery a thousand points of interest, and thus elicits new beauties, by different arrangements and combinations of forms and colours, light and shades. Variety in plantations, may be attained by a combination of qualities opposite in some re- spects, as in the colour of the foliage, and similar in others, as the form, which we shall hereafter more fully elucidate. In the views from a dwelling, we produce it by contrasts not so powerful as to be absolutely dissimilar, for this would de- feat the purpose and produce discord, but by retaining the unity of design, and varying partially only the materials em- ployed, as in the case of substituting elegant flowering shrubs and climbers, in the place of trees, — or, sometimes, by in- troducing new elements of beauty, as sculptured vases, sun- dials, fountains, etc. In pleasure grounds, while the whole should exhibit unity of conception and 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. 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. BEAUTIES OF THE ART. 43 1. The Recognition of Art, founded on the immutability of the true as well as the beautiful : 2. The Production OF A Whole, springing from the necessity in the mind of a unity of sensation: 3. The Imitation of the Beauty OP Expression, derived from a refined perception of the sen- timent of nature : 4. The Production of Variety, in- cluding under this term intricacy and harmony, founded on the ever active desire for new objects of interest. Neither the professional Landscape Gardener nor the ama- teur, can hope for much success in realizing the nobler effects of the art, unless 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 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 copying her graceful touch." When we discover the picturesque^ indi- cated 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 simple or natural beauty ^ by the addition of forms, whether in trees, buildings, or other objects, harmoni- ous in character, as well as in colour and outline. 44 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. SECTION III. ON WOOD. The beauty of Trees in Rural Embellishments. Pleasure resulting from their cultivation. Character of Country Seats in the United States. Mansion, Villa, Embellished Farm and Cottage residences. Aim of Plantations in the Ancient and Modern Styles; superior e.xpres- sion of the latter. Directions for the arrangement of Plantations in the Modern Style, with illustrations. General classification of trees as to forms, with leading characteristics of each class. " He gains all points, wiio 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 country residences, ••^^^s^i^^^^g^^ none are at once so highly ornamental, so indispensable, and so easily managed, as trees or wood. 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 dra- pery which covers a somewhat ungainly figure, and while concealina: 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. 45 in its prime, venerable and picturesque in its old age, it con- stitutes in its varied forms, sizes, and developements, the greatest charm and beauty of the earth in all countries. The most varied outline of surface, the finest combination of pic- turesque materials, the noblest edifice, would be compara- tively tame and spiritless, without the inimitable accompani- ment of foliage. Let those who have passed their whole lives in a richly wooded country, transport themselves for a mo- ment 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 will perhaps realize, by con- trast, their beauty and value. We are not now to enumerate the great usefulness of trees, — their value in the construction of our habitations, our na- vies, the various improvements in machinery, — in short, the thousand associations which they suggest as ministering to our daily wants; but let us imagine the loveliest scene, the wildest pai/sage, 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 al- most 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 source of the highest kind of beauty, is created in a wonderful degree by a natural arrange- ment 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 conceal- ing some portions, and throwing others into stronger light, contribute greatly to produce intricacy and variety, and con- 46 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 minds with the effects produced by them on woodland scenery. Spring is joyous and enlivening to us, as nature then puts on her fresh livery 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 offer to us a grrateful shelter under their umbrageous arms and leafy branches : in autumn we feel a melancholy thought- fulness, as " We stand among the fallen leaves," and gaze upon their dying glories. And in winter their bare spray rocking in the winds, has a pleasing diversity ; while it reminds us forcibly by contrast of the loss of their rich sum- mer drapery of foliage, and awakens a hope of returning spring, when the imprisoned buds shall again burst into ver- dure and beauty. 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 interesting 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. 47 ment 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, and produce around us a portion of landscape, whic^i, while it comprises all the comforts and elegancies of life, shall combine with these, those beauties of expression that give rise to emotions in the mind of the most agreeable character. 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 we all derive from their cultivation. Unlike the pleasure arising from the gratification of our taste in architecture, or any of the arts whose productions are offered 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 deliofhful train of sensations in the mmd : so innocent and rational, that they may justly rank with the most exqui- site of human enjoyments." 48 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 with himself he sees, And loves his own contemporary trees." In proceeding to arrange plantations for the improvement and embellishment of a residence, we should, of course, be guided by the extent of the grounds to be operated upon, and the general character and appearance of the place itself. In the United States, all country residences which may be considered as coming within the scope of our remarks, are in- cluded under the four following denominations : mansions, villas, ornamented farms, and cottage residences. The Qnansion, is the highest style of residence seen in this country. It is distinguished by the extent of its grounds, which include, not only large farm tracts, (with their appro- priate buildings,) gardens and pleasure-grounds, but also a wide and extensive park, covered with grass, and beautified with numerous scattered groves, groups, and masses of trees, in the midst of which stands the dwelling, a large and archi- tectural edifice. The villa, which is by far the most common and generally the most elegant of our country seats, contains less extent of ground than the mansion : numbering in acres from twenty to eighty or one hundred, of which a large portion, and often the whole is devoted to ornament, in the case of small villa ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 49 residences ; or a portion, where there is considerable land, is appropriated to amateur farming, under the immediate su- perintendence of the proprietor. The ornamental plantations are more limited than in the mansion residence, the pleas- ure-grounds being substituted for the park, which often con- sist only of a wide and handsome lawn, well varied and em- bellished by groups of trees and shrubbery. The house is generally built in a tasteful style, and frequently displays more elegance and variety, though less magnitude than the mansion. The Ferine ornee^ or embellished farm, differs from a com- mon farm, in the taste displayed throughout its more fre- quented and conspicuous portions. Sometimes it receives its character from a few groups of fine trees interspersed through the pasture fields, in the near view. In most cases there is an approach road, skirted by plantations ; but in- stead of a professed park, lawn, or pleasure-ground, the mea- dows near the line of the approach, and around the house, are kept in neater order than common tillage requires, — planted with single trees and scattered groups, with other embellishments, to a moderate extent, in portions nearest the eye, when they do not interfere largely with the value and profit of the farm. The Cottage ornee is characterized by the smallest extent of ground, which however is well kept. The building is low, and has a neat, decorated, or fanciful air, to which the grounds correspond, being filled with fine shrubs and climbing plants. Here there are neither pleasure-grounds nor meadows, but the pretty garden, or the neat, or pictur- esque orchard immediately surrounds the house ; and the sylvan embellishments are comprised in a few single orna- mental trees, or at most in a few groups of the same. 7 50 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. In the arrangement and culture of trees and plants in the ancient style of Landscape Gardening, we discover the evi- dences of the formal taste, though abounding with every pos- sible variety of quaint conceits, and rife with whimsical ex- pedients, so much in fashion during the days of the Henry's and Elizabeth, and until the eighteenth century in England, and which is still the reigning mode in Holland and parts of France. In these gardens, nature was tamed and subdued, or as some critics will have it, tortured, into every shape which the ingenuity of the gardener could suggest ; and those kinds of vegetation which bore the shears most patiently, and which, 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, 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 Surreys, Leicesters, Essexesj the splendid nobles of the Tudor dynasty, the gay ladies and gallants of Charles n.'s court, had walked and talked, fluttering in glittering pro- cessions, 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- * The well known picture of the " Garden of Eden," by one of the old Dutch artists, 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. 51 rious quincunx, obelisks, and pyramids, — fitting objects of admiration of those who wallced in high heeled shoes, ruffs and fardingales, with fan in hand, or in trunk hose and laced doublet." • Regularity, uniformity, and symmetry, were the leading and indispensable principles of the ancient style. Even in the most 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 always opposed by an- other vis a vis, and a row of trees at the right of the man- sion, was always accompanied by one on the left : or, as Pope in his Satire has more rythmically expressed it — Grove nods at srove, each alley has its brother, And half the platform just reflects the other. In the interior of the park, the plantations were generally 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. 1,) 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." 52 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. fFig. 1. A Labyrinth.] Since the days when these gardens were in their glory, the taste for Landscape Gardening has undergone a great change. The graceful and the picturesque in nature are the new ele- ments 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 lengthy and majestic avenues, the wide- 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 connected, too, in our im- aginations, with the quaint architecture of that era, that wherever that style of building is adopted, (and we observe two or three examples already among us,) this style of gar- dening may be considered as highly appropriate, and in ex- cellent keeping with such a country house. The modern, irregular, or natural style of Landscape Gardening, which we shall endeavour to elucidate in the fol- ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 53 lowing pages, aims at the production of beauty in its most graceful or picturesque forms, in the grounds of a country- residence. Although to effect this art is everywhere as ne- cessary as in the geometric style, yet it is always evinced as the means, and not exclusively the end in view. Thus, in the natural style, the gravel walks are kept as smooth, and the turf is as closely mown, as in the ancient ; as these ap- pearances evince cultivation, and are necessary to refined comfort and enjoyment, circumstances of which we are never to lose sight. For thorough keeping does not disturb the expression of nature, but serves to give a polish and elegance to her forms and colours which indicates a tasteful and re- fined art, and mark the presence of cultivation and habitation, as opposed to wild or savage nature. The highest aim of the natural style is, to produce an ele- gant imitation of beautiful or picturesque portions of general nature. In order to accomplish this, it is necessary to ar- range the plantations of trees and shrubs in such groups as shall be natural, graceful, and beautiful ; or natural, highly irregular, and picturesque. As these characters exist often fully developed in wild scenery, we must study such mor- ceaiix, and the delineations of these in painted landscapes, to familiarize ourselves with their leading and characteristic peculiarities. We must lay out the walks and roads which these plantations border, in easy flowing lines, following nat- ural indications, or producing them by irregularities in the ground, breaks, and recesses, in the groups and masses of trees, etc. We should prefer undulating surfaces to level ones, (especially in preference to levelling any surface artifi- cially,) on account of the greater variety and beauty the for- mer afford, compared with the latter. It has been remarked, that the geometric style would al- 54 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 alone would give more pleasure by contrast, than the ele- gant imitation of beautiful nature. That this is true as regards the mass of uncultivated 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 was surrounded by inimitably grand, or sublime scenery, would undoubtedly fail to excite our ad- miration, by attempting to imitate such scenery on the small scale of a park or garden ; but he is not therefore obliged to resort to right-lined plantations, and regular grass-plots, to produce something which shall both be sufficiently different to attract notice, and so beautiful as to command admiration. All that it would be requisite for him to do in such a case, would be to employ rare and foreign ornamental 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 ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 55 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 flow- ering creepers and vines ; sometimes with thickets or little copses of shrubs and flowering plants ; sometimes through wild and comparatively neglected portions ; the whole inter- spersed 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 fifty to three 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, surroundinsf 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- tiful trees and shrubs ; commoner native forest trees occupy- ing the more distant portions of the grounds. Whatever be the extent of the place to be arranged and planted, whether it partake of the character of the mansion or villa residence, and include either a park or pleasure- grounds, or merely ornamental meadows for pasturage, there will of course be various combinations of trees from the smallest group composed only of two trees, or a tree and a shrub, to the tnass, formed by a large number, or even the grove or icood, comprising many hundred individuals. Were the whole surface filled up with scattered single trees at reg- ular or irregular intervals, or even with uniform groups alone, all variety, grandeur, and beauty, would be lost ; and 56 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. nothing would be presented but a sameness of dots, or spots of verdure, without tasteful or artistical effect, or any features to arrest the eye, or fix the attention. In order, therefore, to produce that diversity, and that breadth of light and shadow, so agreeable in real landscape, and so enchanting in fine pictures, the whole must be thrown into groups, single trees, and large masses. To do this prop- erly, will require the greatest skill of the landscape gardener in the arrangement of wood. To succeed in arranging the plantations so as to produce the most satisfactory effects in the modern style, we con- ceive that the artist or operator will be greatly aided by keeping the two following principles constantly in view: the production of a whole ; and the proper connection of the parts. 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 plantations 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 vice versa. Indeed, the chief beauty of the modern style is the infinite variety produced by following a few leading principles, and applying them to different and varied localities ; unlike 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 demonstration. 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 itself being the chief or ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 57 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 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 should also 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 connected by intermediate trees, so as to give all the effect of a large mass. The front, and at least that side near- est the approach road, will be left open or nearly so ; while the plantations on the back 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. 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 tlie sides, or in the 58 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. interior of the whole ; and the various groups which are dis- tributed between, should be so managed as, though in most cases distinct, yet to appear to be the connecting links 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 neighbouring, single trees. 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 rmmber 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 paintings, 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, ar^ absence of the noble effect of deep and broad shadows. Nothing would appear to be easier, in theory, than to arrange a few forest trees in the form of a natural and beautiful group. Yet experience has taught us that this is not the case, and that the generality of persons, in commencing their first essays in ornamental planting, will almost invariably crowd their trees into a close regular clumv. which has a most formal ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 59 and unsightly appearance, as different as possible from the easy flowing- outline of the group.* " 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 '^53 be contrived to answer that purpose like a ^^ 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 * 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 hnes. "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 tlireto 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." 60 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. round and round them ; no opening, no vacancy, no strag- glers; but in the true military character. Us sont face far- tout !* The chief care, then, which is necessary in the formation of groups, is, not to place them in any regular or artificial manner, as one at each corner of a triangle, 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 from 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. 2), or a tree and shrub, which is the smallest group, (a), may be placed in three diflferent positions 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 in 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 difierent positions [h) ; five trees may be grouped in ten dilferent ways, as to ground plan ; six may be placed in * Those who have perused, Price's " Essay on the Picturesque," can not fail to be entertained with the vigour with which he advocates the picturesque, and attacks the dumping method of laying out grounds, much practised in Eng- land, on the first introduction of the modern style. Brwon, was the great prac- titioner at that time, and his favourite and undeviating plan seems to have been to cover the whole surface of the grounds with an unmeaning assemblage of round, bunchy clumps. ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 61 twelve different ways (c), and so on. (Eiicyclopcedia of Gard.) ^-..-^ %.^ [Fig. 2. Grouping of Ti-»es.] 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 receding back into the plantation, in order to take off all appearance 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 surroundinsf sward. 62 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. [Fig. 3- View of a Country Residence, as frequently seen.] 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 ofwood, either previously planted? or preserved from the woodman's axe. How easily one 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, the happiest effects may often be elicited in a magical manner ! In the accompanying sketch, (fig. 3), the reader will recognise a portrait of a hundred familiar examples existing with us of the places of persons of considerable means and intelligence, where the house is not less meagre than the stiff approach leading to it, bordered with a formal belt of trees. The succeeding sketch, (fig. 4), 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 English cottage, 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. ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 63 [ Fig. 4. 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 to preserve only what is really beautiful and 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 if 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 strono-er roots and become more inured to the influence of the sun and air.* 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, there are no obvious objections to such a course, the eminences, gentle swells, or hills, should be planted in preference to the hollows or repressions. By planting the elevated portions of * When, in thinning woods in this manner, those left standing have a meagre appearance, a luxuriant growth may be promoted by the application of ma- nure plentifully dug in about the roots. This will also, by causing an abund- ant growth of new roots, strengthen the trees in their position. 64 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. the grounds, their apparent height is increased ; but by plant- ing the hollows, all distinction is lessened and broken up. In- deed, where there is but a very trilling and scarcely perceptible undulation, the importance of the swells of surface already ex- isting 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 poi7its, 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 efiected, 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- 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- ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 65 some cluster of saplings or a few full grown trees ; of if not these, at least some tall growing bushes along the fences, all of which, by a little exercise of this leading principle of cow- nectio?i, 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 connection 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 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 neigh- bourhood of the residence, the whole evinces less polish ; and gradually, towards the farthest extremities, grows ruder, until it assimilates 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 moderate, and therefore comes more directly under the eye. Such are the principal rules to be observed in arranging the plantations, and improving the grounds of a residence in the modern style. A scene, thus arranged, well grown, and afterwards well kept, would undoubtedly be considered beau- tiful. Whether the expression or character would be that of natural beaut j/ or picturesque beauti/, would not only depend upon the original features and character of the place, but also upon the manner in which the plantations were arranged and kept. If the object aimed at be simply the production of gen- eral or natural beauty, it will be eflfected by choosing, in the 66 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. first place, trees, which, as we shall hereafter point out, are expressive of that kind of beauty. They must not only be ' arranged as we have here suggested, but they should be kept growing in the most luxuriant and healthy manner. They should mostly exhibit clean smooth stems, fresh and tender barks, and handsome well balanced heads. To height- en their elegance, they might, in frequented parts of the scene, occasionally be entwined with the most showy and graceful climbing plants, or intermixed with tall growing, flowering shrubs ; and to correspond with them, the ground should slope gently, or roll away in easy undulations, and the turf should be close fed, or well rnown. If, on the contrary, the planter desire to improve or plant grounds already somewhat picturesque, or to which he aims to impart that character, he must choose such trees as have in themselves that expression, and intermix them in much larger proportion in his plantations. There should be more of the wildness of the finest and most forcible portions of nat- ural woods or forests, in the disposition of the trees ; some- times 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 char- acter, as the hazel, hawthorn, etc., and formed into such pic- turesque and striking groups, as painters love to study and introduce into their pictures. Luxuriant 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 ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS, 67 be kept short by the cropping of animals, or allowed to grow in a more careless and loose state, like the surface of tangled dells and natural woods. 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, etc., the efforts of the improver will be most successful, if he contribute 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, as it were, by persons who, perhaps, would themselves be inca- pable of describing the cause of their gratification, but who would perceive 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, must 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 appropriate in a country residence, Pictur- 68 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. esque 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. [Fig. 5. Plan of a common Farm, before any impmvements. ) To illustrate partially our ideas on the arrangement of plantations, we place before the reader the two accompany- ing examples. The first, (fig. 5,) represents a portion, say ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 69 one-third or one-half, of a piece of property selected for a country seat, and which has hitherto only been kept in til- lage as ordinary farm land. The public road, a, is the boun- dary on one side : dd are prettily wooded dells or ravines which, together with a few groups near the proposed site of the house, c, and a few scattered single trees, make up the aggregate of the original woody embellishments of the lo- cality. In the next figure, (fig. 6,) a ground plan of the place is given, as it would appear, after having been judiciously laid N','i'|!!i''ii,'!ii!'!lil! ,'m! iM.Jiiiiiiiii;' mm -villi ■«!| W'l| I I I I ^' • 1 1 ' 1 1 ' ' I " 1 ' I [Fig- 6. Plan of the foregoing grounds as a Counuy Seal afler ten years improvement J 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- 70 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. vantage of the wooded dells, o?, 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 througfh the vistas in the lines ee. In this manner, the park or lawn appears divided into four dis- tinct lawns or areas, bounded by groups of trees, instead of beins: dotted over with an unmeaning: confusion of irregular 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 grounds, or different points in the walks ; and they can be still further varied at pleasure, 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. Figure 7, is the plan of an American mansion residence of considerable extent, only part of the farm lands, /, being here delineated. In this residence, as there is no extensive view worth preserving, beyond the bounds of the estate, the park or pleasure-grounds, are surrounded by an irregular and picturesque belt of wood. A fine natural stream or rivu- ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 71 [Fig- 7. Plan of a Mansion Residence, laid oul in ihe natural style.] 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 arounds. The approach road breaks off from the high- way at the entrance lodge, a, and proceeds in easy curves to the mansion, h ; 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 arrives at the most favourable position for a first impression. From the windows of the mansion, al either end, the eye 72 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. ranges over groups of flowers and shrubs; while on the en- trance front, the trees are arranged so as to heighten the na- tural expression of graceful beauty originally existing there. On the other front, the broad mass of light reflected from the green turf at /i, is balanced by the dark shadows of the pictur- esque plantations which surround the lake and skirt the whole boundary. At i, a light inconspicuous wire fence separates that portion of the ground, g, ornamented with flowering shrubs and kept mown by the scythe, from the remainder of a park-like 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 fro?}i 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 j. 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 hundred 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 enjoyments 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- ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 73 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. 8), of the grounds of Riverside Villa. This admirable villa at Bur- [Fig. 8. Plan of a Suburban Villa Residence. 1 10 74 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. lington, New- Jersey, (which we shall again refer to,) was built, and the grounds, about six or eight acres in extent, laid out, from the designs of John Notman, Esq. architect, of Phi- ladelphia; and while the latter give 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. 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, h. 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 §-, is a seat. The walk around 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 i, is situated the ice-house ; d, hot-beds ; k^ bleaching green ; j, gardener's house, etc. In the rear of the latter are the stables, which are not shown on the plan. The embellished farm, [ferme ornee,) is a species of coun- try residence, likely to become very general in this country. Men of considerable means, here, often retire from the cities, and devote their attention to agriculture ; and while they de- sire not to lose sight of profit in culture, their taste leads them to give to their farms something of the elegant effects of Land- scape Gardening. A few acres, or even an acre, will be set apart mainly for the purposes of ornament ; and on this area, the plantations, though less extensive, should be arranged with a view to produce something of the same beauty, as in ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 75 the residence of a park-like character. This area, planted with the finer forest trees, and laid down in grass, may be mown by the scythe ; or if trees only are employed, and shrubs excluded, it may be used as a pasture-ground for sheep or cattle. The divisions of the adjoining fields should be broken, and concealed from the eye, by irregular hedges of the thorn, crab, or mulberry, and the embellished space around the dwelling should be connected with the fields, by introducing a few groups and scattered trees in the latter, of the same kinds as are prevalent in the former. In the accom- panying plan, a bird's-eye view of a simple embellished farm is given, to exemplify these remarks. In this view, only a small portion of the farm lands are shown in the fields, a. The orchard, 6, the kitchen garden, c, and the farm and stable, c?, are also shown : e, is that portion devoted princi- pally to ornament, in which the trees are arranged in the nat- ural style. This embraces two or three acres of land, imme- diately adjoining the approach or private road, /, and would convey to the stranger, entering the place by this road, an idea of considerable taste in the occupant of such a farm. If we suppose the area or lawn to be kept short by the cropping of an- imals, it may be considered an useful,- as well as an ornamental disposition of this part of the farm. Many persons, however, may desire something more : and in this case, animals might be excluded, the grass kept short by the scythe, and the beauty increased by the introduction of showy shrubs, and groups of flowering plants. In arranging these, even in the small area of an acre of ground, let them study the same principles, and endeavour to produce as satisfactory effects, as though they 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 76 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. [Fig. 9. Plan of aa embelliabed F results. The man of correct taste will, by the aid of very lim- ited means, and upon a small surface, be able to afford the mind more true pleasure, than the improver who lavishes thou- sands 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." Les Jardiiis. From the inspection of plans like these, the tyro may learn something of the manner of arranging the 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, ON "WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 77 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 slightly to de- velope, 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 again to the beautiful compositions and combination 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 everywhere is, with beautiful and picturesque scenery, there is no dearth or 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. To the man of taste, there is also another mine of wealth in the productions of the pencil ; and the knowledge derived from a critical contemplation of the best pictures, and en- gravings, will be found of no mean or trifling importance. Mason in his poem, the English Garden, thus alludes to this subject : " If yet thy art be dubious how to treat Nature's neglected features, turn thy eye To those, the masters of correct design, 78 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. Who, from her vast variety, have cull'd The loveliest, boldest parts, and new^ arranged : Yet, as herself approv'd, herself inspir'd In their immortal works, thou ne'er shall find Dull uniformity, contrivance quaint, Or laboured littleness ; but contrast broad, And careless lines, whose undulating forms Play thro' the varied canvass ; these transplant Again on nature ; take the plastic spade, It is thy pencil ; take thy seeds, thy plants, They are thy colours : and by these repay "With interest, every charm she lent thy art." Page 13. The amateur, who wishes to dispose his plantations in the natural style of Landscape Gardening, so as to produce beau- tiful or picturesque scenery, will be greatly aided by a study of the peculiar expression of trees individually, and in com- position. The effect of a given 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 py- ramidal trees, and spiry-topped trees ; and so far as the expressions of the different species comprised in these distinct divisions are concerned, they are, especially when viewed at a distance, as much of the wood seen in a prospect of any extent necessarily must be, productive of nearly the same general effects. Round-headed trees compose by far the largest of these ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 79 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 (Pig. 10 R^ndheaded a top Or hcad comparatively round ; as the . oak, ash, beech, and walnut. They are generally beau- 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 peaceful, or cultivated scenery, or landscapes where the character is that of natural or polished beauty ; as they harmonize with almost all scenes, buildings, and natural 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 more agreeable than the unbroken line exhi- bited by the sides of oblong or spiry-topped trees. The sky- outline, also, or the upper part of the head, varies greatly in round-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 resemblance 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 80 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. oiform ; 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 be as little variety of tint : and lastly, as there are none of those 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 will 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 tirees of the ordi- nary loose and varied manner of growth, common in the ma- jority of forest growth, 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 sub- limity ; and when they stand alone, or in fine groups in the cultivated demesne, they still are grand 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 ; but round-headed trees are decidedly the chief adornment of general landscape. Spiry-topped trees, (fig. 11), are distinguished by straight leading stems and horizontal branches, which are compara- ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 81 lively smallj and taper gradually to a point. The foliage is generally evergreen, and in most trees of this class, hangs in parallel or droop- '""'^ %-!l^T""'''' itig tufts from the branches. The various evergreen trees, composing the spruce and fir families, 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 similari- ty, 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 less plea- 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 pe- culiar, and, we may add, extremely 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 11 82 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 broken rocks, 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 keeping, 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 cannot be thus extensively employed, they are by no means to be neg- lected or thought valueless, but may be so combined and mingled 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 new 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 may create 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 ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 83 plentiful as to give the whole a mingled and confused look ; in which neither the beautiful and sweeping outlines of the round-headed, or 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. 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- 'ifefdedTr«'°f ■ niidal mass of foliage, instead of a spiry, tufted one. They are mostly deciduous ; and approaching more nearly to round-headed trees, than sj)iry-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 produce 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 effectually, 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- 84 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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, have a highly pleasing and agreeable effect in conjunction with horizontal lines of buildings, and particularly with the Grecian architecture, now so fashionable in this country. Near such edifices, sparingly introduced, and tningled i7i small proportion ivith round-headed trees, they contrast ad- vantageously with the long cornices, flat roofs, and horizontal lines, that predominate in their exterior. Lombardy pop- lars 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 indis- [Fig. 13. Poplttrs in excess. criminately employed, or even used in any considerable propor- tion in the decoration of the ground immediately adjoining a building of any pretensions, they would inevitably defeat this [Fig. 14. Poplars jlld ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 85 purpose, and by their tall and formal growth, diminish the apparent magnitude, as well as the elegance of the house. Fig. 13 is a miniature sketch of a building completely over- powered in this way by tall poplars. Fig. 14, shows a build- ing around which they are more judiciously introduced. Drooping trees, though often classed with oblong-headed trees, evidently 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 un- fit 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 mingled spar- ingly in beautiful or elegant scenes, they are in excellent keeping, and contribute much to give value to the leading expression. 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 adjoining trees. Drooping trees, therefore, as elms, birches, etc., are shown to the best advantage on the Sorc^ers of groups, or the boundaries of plantations. It must not be forgotten, but constantly kept in mind, that all strongly marked trees, like bright colours in 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 86 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 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 little accompanying sketches. In the first, (fig. 15), 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. 15 rTeesi,, keeping] ou cithcr sldc of thc old bridge, oc- cupy the foreground. In the second, (fig. 16), there is evi- dently something discordant in the scene, which strikes the * Foiest Scenery, p. 133. ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 87 spectator at first sight, this is the misplaced introduction of the two large willows, which belong to a scene very different in character. Imagine a removal of the ^^3ir'^^!d^^iirf^^% surrounding hills, and let the rapid I stream spread out into a smooth peaceful lake, with gradually retiring (Fig. 16. TrleTTi^oJ^cHiMs.] shorcs, and the blue summits 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 anything 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 this confusion re- sultinsr from their discordant forms. On the other hand, the mixture of trees that exactly correspond in their forms, if 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, 88 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. such species must be chosen as harmonize with each other in certain leading points. And, secondly, in intermingling trees of opposite characters, discordance may be prevented and harmonious expression promoted, by interposing other trees of an intermediate character. In the first case, suppose it is desired to form a group of trees, in which gracefulness or elegance must be the leading expression. 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 diflfer 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 grace- fulness and variety, while there is nothing in the composition inharmonious to the practised eye. To illustrate the second rule, let us suppose a long sweeping outline of maples, birches, and other light, mellow-coloured 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 manner as to peer ab- ruptly out of the light-coloured 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 ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 89 the colouring ; and if, in addition to this, oblong-headed trees, or pyramidal trees, were also placed near and partly inter- mingled with the spiry-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 dis- pleasing ; as in the example of the groups of the three trees, the willow, poplar, and oak : or they may be such as to pro- duce spirited and pleasing effects. This must be effected by planting the different divisions of trees, first, in small leading groups, and then by effecting a union between the groups of different character, by intermingling those of the nearest sim- ilarity into and near the groups : in this way, by easy trans- itions from the drooping to the round-headed, and from these to the tapering trees, the whole of the foliage and forms, har- monize well. [Fig. 17, Example in grouping * We are persuaded that very few persons are aware of the infinite beauty, va- ried 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 devel- ope 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 painting, 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 Scotch fir tree is combined or stationed, it forms a beautiful umbrage or a murky spot." 12 90 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. " 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 pre- served 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 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 cali'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 Landscape Gardening, by the crea- * Observations on Modern Gardening. ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 91 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 col- oured trees on the shore opposite to the spectator. These hints will suggest other ideas and examples of a similar na- ture, to the minds of those who are alive to the more minute and exquisite beauties of the landscape. An acquaintance, individually, with the different 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 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 92 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 apparently- disproportionate number of pages which we shall devote to this part of our subject. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 93 SECTION IV. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. The History and Description of all the finest hardy Deciduous Trees. Remarks on their EFFECTS IN LANDSCAPE GARDKNING, INDIVIDUALLY AND IN COMPOSITION. Their Cultivation, 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-tree. The Chestnut. The Osage Orange. The Mulberry. The Paper Mulberry. The Sweet Gum. The Walnut. The Hickory. The xMountain Ash. The Ailantus. The Kentucky Coffee. The Willow. The Sassafras. TheCatalpa. The Persimonen. The Pepperidge. The Thorn. The Magnolia. The Tulip. The Dogwood. The Sa isburia. The Cypress. The Larch, etc. Ogloriosi spirit! de gli boschi, O Eco, o antri fosclii, o chiare linfe, O faretrate ninfe, o agresti Pani, O Satlii e Silvani, o Fauni e Driadi, Naiadi ed Amadriadi, o Semidee Oreadi e Napee. — Sannazzaro. " O spirits of the woods, Echoes and sohtudes, and lakes of light; O quivered virgins bright, Pan's rustical Satyrs and sylvans all, dryads and ye That up the mountains be; and ye beneath In meadow or in flowery heath.'' The Oak. Quercus. Nat. Ord. CorylaceaB. 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 94 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 delivered by the priestesses, but, as was afterwards believed, by the in- spired 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. " That oake 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 DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 95 god of fire, whose symbol was an oak. Hence at his festival, which was at Christinas, 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 If^afy hands. His shade protects the plains, his liead the hills commands." Dryden's Trans. 96 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. " The oakj" says Gilpin, " is confessedly the most pictur- esque 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 pictur- esque 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 sin- gly, are monotonous to the last degree when planted in quan- tities. Not so however with the oak, as there is no tree when forming a wood entirely by itself, which aifords so great a va- riety 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 DECIDUOUS ornai\il:ntal trees. 97 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 Genesseo, N. Y. of extraordinary dimensions, the product of one of our most fertile valleys, has attracted the [Fig. IS. The Charier Oak, Hartford. admiration of hundreds of travellers, on the route to Niagara. The celebrated Charter Oak at Hartford, which has figured so conspicuously in the history of New-England, is still ex- 98 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 countrJ^ 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. f * 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 by the Pilgrims, evidently Pearmains. Some of these, lately felled, have been examined, and are found to be more than 200 hundred years old. f The 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'i 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, and says it is capable of accommodating 10 or 12 persons comfortably at dinner, sitting. The Beggars Oak, in Bagot's Park, is twenty feet in girth five feet from the DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 99 As beauty is often closely connected with utility in our minds, 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 in- comparable 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 wainscott, 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- lyn.* The English oak is probably rather superior in these 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. Tlie Wallace Oak, at Edenslee, near where Wallace was born, is a noble tree 21 feet in circumference. It is 67 feet high, and its 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 ^ 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, 100 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 viretis,) 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 Quercitron 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 consideration of the planter, either for their valuable properties, or as ornamental trees, and calculated for planting in woods or single masses. The White 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 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 in his curious Amenitales Qwemnea observes, that many of the stakes driven into the Thames, by the ancient Britons, to impede the process of Julius Caesar, are in a good slate of preservation, " having withstood the destroyer time, nearly 2000 years. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 101 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 become when allowed to expand in full vigour and majesty, in the open air and light of the park. It more nearly ap- proaches the English oak in appearance, than any other American species. Rock Chestnut oak. ( Q. Prinus tnonticola.) 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 down ; but when fully expanded, they are perfectly smooth, and of a delicate texture. Michmix. Chestnut White oak. {Qiierciis Prinus pahistris.) 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, moder- ately 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 102 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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.pahistris.) The Pin oak forms a tree in moist situations, varying in height from GO to SO 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. 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 stasfe of its growth. It is so different in appearance and character 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 into landscapes for its singularity as an oak, and its lightness and elegance of foliage individually. The Mossy-cup oak. (Q. olivceformis.) 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, beino- 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 man- DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 103 ner 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 spe- cimen planted in our grounds has been remarkably vigorous. Scarlet oak. {Quercus cocc'mea.) A native of the middle 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 bottom. The great and peculiar beauty of this tree, we conceive to be its property of assuming a deep scarlet tint in autumn. At that period, it may at a great distance be distinguished from all other oaks, and indeed from every other forest tree. It is highly worthy of a place in every plantation. The English Royal oak. (Q. robur.) 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 colour on both sides, enlarged towards the summit, and very coarsely tooth- ed." As a single tree for park scenery, this probably equals, if not surpasses, 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 partially evergreen in winter, remarkably luxuriant in their 104 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 assume 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, ( Qjiercus Ilex) ; and the Cork oak, ( Q. Subei^), of the south of France, which produces the cork of commerce ; the Kermes oak, ( Q. coccifei'a), 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 indigenous va- rieties, 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, al- though, 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 on account of the very large taj) roots of this genus of trees, which are either entirely destroyed or greatly injured by removal. The Elm. XJlmus. Nat. Ord. UlmaceEe. Lin. Syst, 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 DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 105 claim for the elm, the epithets, the elegant and the graceful. 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 curves. 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 olino, a cui la pampinosa pianta Cupida s'avviticchi e si marite ; Se ferro il tronca, o fulmine lo scliiania Trae seco a terra la coinpagna cite." GerusaUmme Liberdla. 2. 326. It is one of the most common trees for public walks and avenues, along the highways in France and Germany, grow- ing with great rapidity, and soon forming a wide 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 14 106 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. the family, and to this we more particularly allude. In such situations as we have just mentioned, this tree developes 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 light- ness 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 embosom the shadows as finely as almost any other tree, the oak excepted. We consider it peculiarly adapted for planting, in scenes where the expression of elegant or classical beauty is desired. In autumn the foliage assumes a lively yellow tint, contrast- ing well with the richer and more glowing 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 purposes, and is as great a fa- vourite here as in Europe, for planting in public squares, and along the highways. Beautiful specimens may be seen in Cambridge, Mass., of enormous size, and very fine ave- nues of this tree are growing with great luxuriance in and about New Haven.* The charming villages of New-Eng- land, 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 similitude 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 * The £reat elm of Boston Common is 22 feet in circumference. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 107 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 picturesque effect as a whole. We shall briefly describe the principal species of the elm. The American White elm. ( Ulmus 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 SO feet in height in tine 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 good rich soil, and grows with greater luxuriance if it be rather moist, often reaching, in such situations, an altitude 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. Accordins: to Michaux, it maybe distinguished from the lat- ter even in winter, by its buds, which are larger and rounder, and which are covered a fortnight before their developement, 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 col- our. 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 noi found north of Virginia. It may at once be known in every stage of its growth, by the 108 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. fungous cork-like substance, which lines the branches on both sides. It is a very singular and curious tree, of moderate stature, and grows well when cultivated in the northern states* The common European elm. ( U. cainpestris) 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 delica- cy 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 feel high, growing with rapidity, and is easily cultivated. The timber is more valuable than the American sort, though we consider it infe- rior to the White elm in beauty. There are some dozen or 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. virens,) which is a sub-evergreen : the Gold and Silver striped elms, with variegated leaves, and the Narrow-leaved elm, ( U. c. vi- minalis,) which resembles the birch : the Cork-barked elm, ( U. c. suberosa,) 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. Its most ornamental varieties are the Spiry-topped elm, * SirThos. Lander in Gilpin, 1. 91. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 109 ( U. ni. fastigiata,) with singularly twisted leaves, and a very upright growth : tiie weeping Scotch elm, ( U. m. jpendulu.) 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- dry soil, the Scotch or Wych elm, will thrive well even in very rocky places ; and the White elm will grow luxuriantly in moist places. All the species attain their maximum size when planted in a deep loam, rather moist than dry. They bear transplanting remarkably well, suffering but little, even from the mistaken practice of many persons, who reduce them when transplanting to the condition of bare poles, as they shoot out a new crop of branches, and soon become beauti- ful young trees, in spite of the mal-treatment. As the elm scarcely produces a tap-root, even large trees may be remov- ed, 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 sit- uation. 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. Monoecia, Polyandria. The plane, Platanus, derives its name from *XaTLig, 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- 110 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. ite avenues where the Grecian philosophers were accustomed 1o resort, were planted with these trees; and beneath their shade Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates, delivered the choicest wisdom and eloquence of those classic days. The Eastern plane, [Platanus 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 which 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 Genesee 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 * A buttonwood on the Montezuma estate, Jefferson, Cayusa 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. {K. Y. Med. Repository, IV, 427.) DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. Ill branches of the plane shoot out in a horizontal direction ; the trunk generally ascending in a regular, stately, and uninter- rupted manner. The blossoms are small greenish balls, ap- 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 outer coating of bark here and there in patches. Professor Lindley [Litroduction 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 different parts of the trunk, and is cast off. This gives the trunk quite a lively and picturesque look ; extending more or less even to the extremity of the branches, which 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 button wood, 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. "When 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- 112 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. able ground, and where it can, without inconvenience to its fellows, have ample room for its fall developement. Then soaring up, and extending its wide-spread branches on 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 hung, 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, and other places in Philadel- phia, 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, (Platatius 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 fa- vourite shade-tree of the east, etc., as for its intrinsic merits as a lofty and majestic tree. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 113 Two of the varieties of P. occidentalis are sometimes culti- vated, the chief of which is the Maple-leaved plane, (P. O. acerifolia.) The Ash Tree. Fraxinus. Nat. Ord. Oleacese. Lin. Syst. Polygamia, Dicscia. 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 wheelright 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, round, 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 found 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." 15 114 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. As the ash grows strongly, and the roots, which extend to a great distance, ramify near the surface, it exhausts the soil underneath and around 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 young, 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 gener- ally 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 foliaofe. Nothingf 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." — (Fore,s^ 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- DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 115 ern 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. [Fraxiniis 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 disappears as summer advances, when they become quite smooth, of a light green colour above, and whi- tish 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. sambncifolia,) 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 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 distinguishedfrom the White 116 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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, found in Pennsylvania : the Green ash, (F. viridis,) which also grows in Pennsyl- vania, and is remarkable for the brilliant green of both sides of the leaves : the Blue ash, (F. qiiadrangulata,) 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. platycarpa) 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. 19, 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 DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 117 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. The Flowering ash, {Fraxinus Ormis,*) 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 in medi- cine. The Lime or Linden Tree. Tilia. Nat. Ord. Tiliacese. Lin. Sysi. Polyandria, Monogynia. This tree, or rather the American sort, is well known among us by the name of hasswood. 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, this tree 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 ^ imter der Lindeti,^ (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 * Ornus Europceus of Persoon, and the European botanists. Beck remarks that the American kind is so little known, that it is difficult to determine whether it is a different species, or only a mere variety of the European. 118 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 bass wood 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. In this country, 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, it is said, in Windsor Castle and Trinity College.* The Russian bass mats, which find their way to every commercial country, are prepared from the inner bark of this tree. The sap affords a sugar like the ma- ple, although in less quantities; and it is stated in the Ency- clop5edia 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 li- queurs." The leaves of the lime are large and handsome, heart- * "The art of carving in wood, brought to such perfection byGibbons, isnow, we believe, much given up ; therefore, the Hme 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 t'lo 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. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 119 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. When left to itself, and allowed to grow freely, the head soon forms a regular rounded pyramid of foliage, highly pleasing as a symmetrical object. It was a favourite tree in the an- cient style of gardening, as it bore the shears well, and was readily clipped into all manner of curious and fantastic shapes. It is beautiful as a single object ; but is deficient in those recesses and breaks of foliage, which are the leading features of a picturesque tree. We can recommend it as well adapted for planting near Grecian buildings of very regular forms, as it will harmonize admirably with such structures ; but, from its want of character and irregularity, it is not suit- able for the neighbourhood of a varied or picturesque house. The pleasant odour of its flowers, is also an additional recommendation, as well as its free growth and handsome leaves. After all, however, the linden is a true town tree, and we cannot say too much in its praise as a fine ornament for streets and public parks. There, its regular form cor- responds 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. 120 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 fruits, 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. jmhescens.) 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, a native of Florida, though hardy enough, as experience proves, to bear our northern winters. The European lime, ( T. Europma,) 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. aiirea,) 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- DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 121 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. Corylaces. Lin. Syst. Moncecia, Polyandria* The beech is a large, compact, and lofty tree, with a gray- 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. Such tracts are familiarly known as " beech woods." The leaves of the beach 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, patulae recubans sub tegmine/agfi, 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 16 122 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. applied, is in the manufacture of an oil, scarcely inferior to olive oil. This is produced from the mast of the beech for- ests 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 a 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 man- ufacture of various utensils ; but here, where our forests abound in woods vastly superior in strength, durability, and firm- ness, that of the beech is but little esteemed. For ornamental purposes, the beech, from its comparative- ly 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, Roping it may perchance stay the hand of some soi- disaiit 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, unwarning 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 ! DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES, 123 " Thrice twenty summers I have seen The sky grow bright, the forest green ; And many a wintry wind have stood In blooniless, fruitless solitude, Since childhood in my 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 when young, but when large it has too much heaviness to be agreeable for a park tree. From this very quality, however, it is excellently adapted to mingle with other trees when a thick an 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 di- minishing 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. 124 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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. ferriiginea^) 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 Amer- ica. 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 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 very 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. Salicaceae. Lin. Syst. Dioecia, Octandria. Arbor populi, or the people's tree, was the name given in the ancient days of Rome to this tree, as being peculiarly DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 125 appropriated to those public places most frequented by the 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 oiTinthe Hig-hland wilds 'lis 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 esteem- ed; but it is a valuable tree when judiciously employed, and produces a given quantity of foliage and shade sooner perhaps 126 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. than any other. Some of the Annerican 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 plantations ; the more so, perhaps, because it is an exotic. At some distance, the downy under surfaces of the leaves, [Fi-. ao. The Conohwod.j * 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, which 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. 20.) DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 127 turned up by the wind, give it very much the aspect of a tree covered with white blossoms. This effect is the more stri- king, 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 eitherbrown, or have entirely lost their leafy honours. Its growth is ex- tremely rapid, forming a fine rounded head of thirty feet, 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 some 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 often 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 air of sameness and incongruity, and all the spirited effect is lost which its sparing introduction among other trees pro- duces. The Lombardy poplar is also well adapted to con- 128 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. fined situations, as its branches require less lateral room than almost any other large deciduous tree. It is an objection to some of the poplars, that in any cultivated soil they pro- duce 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 injuri- ous. And, upon the whole, 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 alhiost every soil, moist or dry, and some species prefer quite wet and springy places. The chief American poplars are the Tacamahaca or Balsam poplar, {Populus halsamifera,) chiefly found in Northern America ; a large tree, 80 feet high, with fragrant gummy buds, and lanceolate-oval leaves ; the Balm of Gilead poplar, resem- bling the foregoing, but with larger.flner, and more heart-shap- ed foliage. From these a gum is sometimes collected, and used medicinally for the cure of scurvy. The American aspen, [P. trenmloides,) about 30 feet high, a common tree with very tremulous leaves and greenish bark ; the large American as- pen, {P. grandidejitata,) 4:0 feet high, with large leaves bor- dered with coarse teeth or denticulations ; the Cotton tree, (P. argentea,) 60or70 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. Cana- densis^) found chiefly in the western part of this state, a fine tree, with smooth, unequally-toothed, wide cordate leaves ; and the Carolina poplar, (P. angidata,) 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 DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 129 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. Grceca^) 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. 7?ionilifera,) so called from the circumstance of the catkins being arranged somewhat like beads in a neclilace, is supposed to have been derived from Canada, but there ares ome doubts respecting its origin : in the south it is generally called the Virginia poplar. The Lombardy poplar, (P. dUatata,) a native of the banks 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-chestnut Tree. JEscuhis. Nat. Ord. TEsculacese. Lin. Syst. Heptandria, Monogynia. A large, showy, much admired ornamental tree, bearing ample leaves composed of seven leaflets, and, in the month of May, beautiful clusters of white flowers, delicately mottled 17 130 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 heau- tifiil exotic trees which will bear the open air in this climate. The leaves, each made of clusters of six or seven leaflets, are of a fine dark green colour; the whole head of foliage has much grandeur and richness in its depth of hue, and massiness 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 nov- elty 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 fohage, 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 DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 131 green sward with their drooping foHage. Like the lime tree, however, care must be taken, in the modern style, to in- troduce it but sparingly, and then only as a single tree, or upon the margin of large groups, masses, or plantations ; as the abundant use of a tree with so little variety in its out- line, would inevitably produce sameness and monotony. When handsome avenues or straight lines are wanted, the Horse-chestnut is again admirably suited, from its uniformity and regularity, the very qualities that render it unfit for grouping. 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 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 growth of the young shoots, leaves, flowers and all, is completed in about three or four weeks. When the leaves first unfold, they are clothed with a copious cotton-like down, which falls ofi" 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 poduced in great abundance. There are several species of Horse-chesnut, but the common one [A^sculus Hippocastanum,) is incomparably the finest. The American sorts are the following : (JEsculus Ohioensis,) or Ohio Buckeye, as it is called in the western states ; a small sized tree, with palmated leaves, consisting of Jive leaflets, and pretty bright yellow flowers, with red stamens. The fruit 132 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. is about half the size of the exotic species. The Red-flow- ered Horse-chestnut, (yEsculus ruhicunda^) is a small tree with scarlet flowers ; and the Smooth-leaved (^\ glabra^) has pale yellow flowers. Besides these, are two small Horse- chestnuts 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. 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 countries. 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 found growing in Greenland and Kamtschatka as far north as the 58th and 60th degree of latitude, and on the Alps in iSwitzerland, 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- DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 133 quented portions of British America, — whohave 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 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 esteemed 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 bever- age. Though perhaps too common in some districts of our coun- try to be regarded as an ornamental tree, yet in others where it is less so, the birch will doubtless be esteeemed as it deserves. With us it is a great favourite ; and we regard it as a very * The following interesting description of their manufacture, we copy 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 ca- noes. To procure proper pieces, the largest and smoothest trunks are selected; in the spring two circular incisions are made several feet apart, and two longi- tudinal 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 the canoes, they are stitched together with fibrous roots of the white spruce, about the size of a quill, which are de- prived 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. 134 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. elegant and beautiful 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 ; but the European Weeping birch is pecu- liarly pleasing as it grows 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 flincr Its shade on the grass beneath — Its glossy leaf, and its silvery stem ; Dost Ihou 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 delicious 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 with the portions nearest the eye or the lawn terminated by a few birches, with their sparkling white DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 135 Stems, and delicate, airy, drooping foliage. Our White birch, being a small tree, is very handsome in such situations, and 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, a most beautiful and varied mass 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 a. Canot, of the French Cana- dians, (5. 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 im- portant 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 base, very acuminate, and doubly and irregularly toothed. The peti- oles are slightly twisted, and the leaves are almost as tremu- 136 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. lous 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 diffused 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 detatched 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 are 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 backwards 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 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 col- our, spotted with white. The European White birch. [B. alba.) This species. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 137 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. j^endiila,) which is very rapid in its growth, and beautiful and graceful in its form. From the great beauty of our native species, this is probably the only European sort, which it is very desirable to introduce into our col- lections. The Alder Tree. Alnus. Nat. Ord. Betulacese. Lin. Syst. Moncecia, 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 Hazle-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 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 18 138 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 out minds with river scenery, both of that tranquil description most frequently to be met with in the vales of England, and with that wilder and more stirring cast which is to be found 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 ro- mantic description everywhere prevails."* It may therefore, although the beauty of the alder is of an inferior description, be worth occasional introduction into landscapes where there is much water planted round, 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 ground, 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 handsomest tree, and is also the rarest in our nurseries. The Maple Tree. Acer. Nat. Ord. Aceracese. Lin. Syst. Polygamia, Monoecia. 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- " Lander's Gilpin, 1. p. 136. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 139 gance of their blossoms. Among" all the species, both native and foreign, we consider the Scarlet-flowering maple as de- cidedly the most beautiful tree. In the spring, this species bursts out 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 ofi". At the first approach of cold, we 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 chief and most 140 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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. Very beautiful effects can be produced by planting the Scarlet and Sugar maples in the near neigh- bourhood of the ash, which, as we have already noticed, as- sumes a fine brownish purple ; and 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 fairy 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 those scenes expressive of milder beau- ty, as they unite to a considerable variation of surface, a pleasing softness and roundness of outline. In bold or pic- turesque scenes, they can be employed to advantage by inter- mingling 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 claims for beauty shade, and shelter. It bears pruning remarkably well, and is easily transplanted, even when of large size, from its na- • DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 141 tive woods or swamps. The finest trees, however, are pro- duced from seed. The Sugar maple, [Acer saccharinum,) 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. Tlie 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 bird's-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 fla- vour and appearance ; and it has been demonstrated that the planting of maple orchards, for the production of sugar, would be a profitable investment. The Scarlet-flowering maple, (A. rubrum,) is found chiefly on the borders of rivers, or in swamps ; the latter place ap- pears bpst 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 distinguished 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 ma- ple. The White maple. {A. eriocarpum.) This species so much resembles the Scarlet-flowering maple, that they are often 142 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. confounded together in the eastern 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 ma- ple. Its flowers are very pale in colour, and much smaller than those of the foregoing sorts. The leaves are divided into four 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 coun- try, 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 em- bellishment of the scene. The brilliant white of the leaves beneath, forms a striking contrast with the bright green above, and the alternate reflection 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 contemplated with unwearied admiration."* There, on those fine deep alluvial soils, the White maple often attains twelve or fifteen feet in circumference. 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. Negiindo,-\ 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 The finest foreign sorts are the Norway maple, [A. plata- noideSj) with leaves intermediate in appearance between 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 * N. A. Sylva, 1. 214. -f Jfegundo fraxinijolium. \ Mr. Douglas has discovered a very superb maple, (.4. macrophyllum,) on the Columbia river, with very large leaves, and fine fragrant yellow blossoms. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 143 rapidly, and strongly resembles at a little distance, the button- wood in its young state, and the sycamore tree or Great ma- ple, {A. pseudo-plat anus.) 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 divis- ions, 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. Robiiiia. 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 appear 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- grounds ; for its light foliage may often be used to advantage in- producing a variety with other trees; and its very fra- 144 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. grant blossoms, are beautiful, when in the beginning of sum- mer they hang in loose pendulous 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 foliao-e 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 com- paratively short-lived, and in twenty years time, many would completely overtop and outstrip it. It is easily propagated by seed, which is by far the best mode of raising it, and pre- fers 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 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 ; and a considerable quantity of the wood is now exported to England for this use. * There is a great difference in the growth of this tree. In cold or indifferent soil?, it presents a rough and rugged aspect ; but in deep, warm, sandy soils, it becomes quite another tree in appearance. The finest 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, meas- ure 90 feet, which is higher than Michaux saw on the deepalluvials in Kentucky, where they are natives. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 145 For posts it is more durable than the Red cedar, and is there- fore in high estimation for fencing. In France, where the tree was introduced by Jean Robin, herbalist to Henri IV.j (whence the name Robmia,) it is much cultivated for poles used in supporting the grapes in vineyards. It has the re- markable 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 fif- teenth year. Hence excellent and durable timber can be ob- tained 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 its growth is wonderfully vigorous, and an immense number can be grown upon a small area of ground. In clayey, heavy, or strong loamy soils, the tree never attains much size, and is *Cobbet, 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 Encfland 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 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 account of his locust frenzy, we refer our readers to the very complete article on Robinia, in that truly splendid work, the" Arboretum Britannicum." 19 146 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. extremely liable to the attacks of the borer, which renders its wood in a great measure valueless. In particularly fa- vourable situations, its culture may be made extremely prof- itable.* 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. The sorts called the White and Black locusts, from the colour of the wood, are mere varieties of the Yellow locust, much less valuable for timber than that species, and of no ac- count in ornamental plantations. The Three-thorned Acacia Tree. Gleditschia. Nat. Ord. Leguminosae. Lin. Syst. Polygamia, Dicecia. This tree is often called the Three-thorned locust, from some resemblance to the latter tree. Its delicate, doubly pin- * 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 Lan- caster 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 which the young suckers grew up, fully repaired the breaches made in the fourteen acres. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 147 nate leaves, however, are much more like those of the Aca- cia's, 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, in- stead 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 other trees. The bark is of a pleasing 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 Robinia 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 produces suckers like the locust, and may therefore be in- 148 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 foliage, will at once produce a charming variety. The Three-thorned Acacia has been strongly recommended for hedores. It is too liable to become thin at the bottom, to serve well for an outer enclosure, but if kept well trimmed, 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 expanding 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- cipal species, and is indigenous to the states west of the Alleghanies. G. monos'perina is another kind, which is scarcely distinguishable from the Three-thorned, except in having one-seeded pods. The seedlings raised from G. tri- acanlhos, are often entirely destitue 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 the three last 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. J^at. Ord. Leguminosse. Lin. Syst. Decandria, Monogynia. A handsome low tree, about 20 feet in height, which is found scattered sparsely through warm sheltered valleys, alono; the Hudson and other rivers of the northern sections of DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 149 the United States. It is valuable as an ornamental tree, no less on account of its exceedingly neat foliage, which is ex- actly 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 profusion, 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- bud. It is then one of the most ornamental of trees, and in company with the Scarlet-flowering maple, serves greatly to enliven the scene, and pleasingly heralds the approach of the floral season. These blossoms, according to Loudon, [En- cycl. of Pla?its,) having an agreeable poignancy, are frequent- ly 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. The latter much resembles our native tree. The flowers, however, are deeper in colour; the leaves darker, and less pointed at the extremi- ty. 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. Corylacese. Liju Syst. Moncecia, Polyandria. The chestnut, for its qualities in Landscape Gardening, ranks with that king of the forest, the oak. Like that tree, 150 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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. " Sunt nobis mitia poma Castanea moUes, et pressi copia lactis.'' ViRG. ECL. 1. They appear to have been in 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 DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 151 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 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, {Aboretzwi 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 appearance of five distinct tirees ; but that he was assured that the space was once filled with solid timber, and that there was no bark on the inside. This circumstance of an old trunk, hollow in 152 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 before Brydone, affirms that an entire flock of sheep might be enclosed within the Etna chestnut, as in a fold.* {Arboretum Brit. p. 1988.) In considering the chestnut as highly adapted 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, clean and bright foliage, and lively aspect, when adorned with the numerous light greenish yel- low blossoms which project beyond the mass of leaves, render it a pleasing 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 aflford 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 every side, like * One of the most celebrated Chestnut trees on record, is that called the Tortworth Chestnut, in England. In 1772, Lord Ducie, the owner, had a por- trait of it taken, which was accompanied by the following description : " The east view of the ancient Chestnut tree at Tortworth, in the county of Glouces- ter, 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 Tort- worth ; from which, it may reasonably be presumed to have been standing before the conquest, 1066." This tree is still standing. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 153 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 hap- py 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 leafless, 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 forma- tion of grand groups, heavy masses, or wide outlines of foliage. A higher kind of beauty, less tame, and possessing more per- manent 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 climates ; 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 gener- ally considered the same species, Yarieties have been pro- duced in Europe, which far surpass our common chestnuts of the woods, in size, delicacy, and richness of flavour. Those cultivated for the table in France, are known by the name of inarrons. They are improved sorts of the Spanish chest- nuts, four or five times as large, and when roasted, says Lou- don, "have a rich creamy flavour, and an aromatic odour, in which the common chestnuts are quite deficient." Some of these trees are now growing in different parts of the Union, and succeed well in our soil. They may be procured from the nurseries, and we can hardly recommend to our planters more acceptable addition to our nut-bearing forest trees. The Chinquapin or Dwarf chestnut, (C. pumila,) is a curi- ous low bush, from four to six feet high. The leaves are 20 154 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 Pennsylvcinia, and is often found in great abundance. It is a carious little tree, or more properly a shrub, and merits a place in the garden : or it may be ad- vantageously planted for underwood in a group of large trees. As the chestnut, like the oak, forms stronsr tap-roots, it is removed with some difficulty. The finest trees are produced from the nut. and their growth is much more rapid when youn?, 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. XaL Ord. Urticaceae. Lin. Syst. DicBcia, Tetrandria. This interesting tree is found growing wild on the Arkansas 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- col- oured, 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 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 laro^e orang-e, but the surface much roug-her 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 DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 155 our gardens from a village of the Osage tribe of Indians, whence the common name of the tree. The wood is fine grained, yellow in colour, and takes a brilliant polish. It is also very strong and eleistic, 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 hois d'arc, [how-wood,) 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 monoecious class of plants, it does not perfect its fruit, unless both the male £ind 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 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 wade-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 iev^ trees are needed, and where it is desirable that the species employed, should all be as distinct as possible, to give the whole as much 156 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. * variety as can be obtained in a limited space, such trees should be selected as will not only be ornamental, but com- bine some other charm, association, or interest. Among such trees, we would by all means give the Osage orange a fore- most 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 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. Moms. Nat. Onl. Urticacese. Lin. Sijst. Monoecia, Tetrandria. The three principal species of the mulberry, are the common Red American, the European Black, and the White mulber- DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 157 ries. None of them are truly handsome in scenery ; and the two latter are generally low spreading trees, valued entirely 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 hori- zontally 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 therefore 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 ship-build- ers ; and at Philadelphia and Baltimore it commands 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 found profitable to cultivate it as a timber-tree. The locust, it will be remembered, grows thriftily only on peculiar soils, loose, dry, and mellow: the Red mulberry pre- fers deep, moist, and rich situations. No attempts, as 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 experiments 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 158 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. which are not heart-shaped on our native species, are gener- ally 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 the 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. B. TI. We regret that so excellent a fruit should be so little cul- tivated here. It succeeds extremely well in the middle 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; and one of them, the Chinese mulberry, (M. multi- caulis,) we consider worthy of notice as a beautiful tree. It grows rapidly, and forms a handsome head ; and its large, tender, and soft green foliage is not only beautiful to look upon, but affords a fine shade ; while the peculiar tint of its DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 159 verdure contrasts happily with that of other more sombre forest trees. 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. UrticacesB. Lin. Syst. Dioecia, Tetrandria. The Paper mulberry is an exotic tree of a low growth, rare- ly exceeding twenty-five or thirty feet, indigenous to Japan and the South Sea Islands, but very common in our gar- dens. It is remarkable for the great variety of forms ex- hibited 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 ornamental, though of no value. The genus is dioecious ; and the reason 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 160 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 no picturesque beauty, and should never be planted in quan- tities, but only in scattered specimens, to give interest and variety to a walk in the lawn or shrubbery. The Sweet Gum Tree. Liquidambar. Nat. Ord. Platanacese. Lin. Syst. MonoBcia, 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 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 col- *N. A. Sylva, 1, 315. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 161 our, and firmer in texture. It may also be easily distinguish- ed from that tree, by the curious appearance of its seconda- ry 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 manner. The fruit is globular, somewhat resembling that of the buttonwood, but much rougher, and bristling with points. The male and female catkins appear on different 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 frasfrant and transparent gum issued from its trunk in that country, to which, from its appearance, he gave the name of liquid 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 acrreeable 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 sometimes exudes from the leaves, and by incision small quantities of the gum may be procured from the trunk ; but a warmer climate ap- pears to be necessary to its production in considerable quan- tities. We hardly know a more beautiful tree than the Liquid- ambar in every stage of its growth, and during every season * Aboretum Brit. 2051. 21 162 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 foliagfe. 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 almost too bright and vivid 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 vivid as is common- ly seen in the brightest 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 is almost magi- cal in a warm dry autumn. Whoever has travelled through what are called the pine barrens of New- Jersey in such a sea- son, cannot have failed to be struck with the gay tints of the numberless forest trees which line the roads through those o sandy plains, and with the conspicuous beauty of the Sweet gum or Liquidambar tree. The bark of this tree, when full grown or nearly so, is ex- ceedingly 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 DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES, 163 native trees. The average height of full grown trees is about 35 or 40 feet. Liquidamhar 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 dryer soil. The Walnut Tree. Juglans. Nat. Ord. Juglandacese. Liri. 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. 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, which is emitted plentifully 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 fal- ling off like those of the hickory, rots away and decays grad- ually. The kernel of the Black walnut, too well known to need any description here, is highly esteemed, and is consid- ered by many 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 col- 164 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. our, when exposed to the air, is a fine, rich, dark brown, ap- proaching to black ; and as it takes a brilliant polish, it is com- ing into general nse, 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. Wlien 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 of foliage, which catch and throw off the broad lights 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 pleasing 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 pub- lic 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 DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 165 products, consisting chiefly of the fruit, of which large quanti- ties are consumed in all parts of Europe. The wood is great- ly 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 ker- nel, 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- est degree praiseworthy. " The Bergstras, [Bergstrasse\ which extends from Heidelberg to Darmstadt, is all planted with walnuts ; 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 plant- ed, 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 cultiva- ted 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 * Hunter's Evelyn, p. 16S. 166 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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. 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 foliage is then of less consequence, and its ramification 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, and we can hardly recommend it as in any way adapted to add to the charms of a residence, otherwise than by the excellence of its fruit.* The Hickory Tree. Carya. Nat. Ord. Juglandacese. Lin. Syst. Moncecia, Polyandria. The hickories are fine and lofty North American trees, * Loudon errs greatly in his Arboretum (an incomparable work,) in suppos- ing the butternut to be identical 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. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 167 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 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 brillian- cy 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 distinction 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 trunks, 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 park trees, and are justly entitled to a place in every considerable plantation. The most ornamental species are the Shellbark hickory. 168 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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- some shapes during every stage of their growth, and ulti- mately become noble trees. Varieties of the Shellbark hicko- ry 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 in size and delicacy of flavour, by careful cultivation, as 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 improv- ed 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 with us, 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 pairs 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 un- DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 169 covered, by which this sort is readily distinguished from the other species. The hickory nuts of our markets are the pro- duce of this tree ; they are much esteemed in every part of the Union, and are exported in considerable quantities to Eu- rope. 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, [Pacainer of the French,) [C. olivafor- 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 SOO 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 divided by par- titions like most of the hickories, and 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.f Besides these two most valuable species, our forests pro- duce the Pignut hickory, (C ijorcina.) 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 in the wood for the swine, squirrels, etc., to 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 of this section. The thick Shellbark hickory, (C laciniosa,) *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. t N. A. Sylva, I. 168, 22 170 ■ LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 AUeghanies. 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 pair 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 inferi- or sort, growing in the swamps and rice fields of the south- ern states. The leaflets are serrated, and resemble in shape the leaves of the peach tree. Both the fruit and timber are much inferior to those of all the other hickories. The Mountain Ash Tree. Pyrus* Mit. Ord. Rosaceae. Lin. Sijst. Icosandria, Di-Pentagynia. The European Mountain ash {Pyrus aucuparia,) is an elegant tree of the second 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 ♦ Sorfti.s of the old Botanists. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 171 in autumn turn to a brilliant scarlet, and are at that season highly ornamental. For the sake of these berries, this tree is a great favourite with birds ; and in Germany it is called the Vogel Beerbaum: 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 Thomas Lau- der informs us that this superstition is still in existence 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 cir- cles 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 men- tions that it is customary in Wales, to plant this tree in church- yards ; and Miss Kent in her Sylvan Sketches, makes the fol- lowing remarks : — " In former times this tree was supposed to be possessed of the property of 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 Spindleton^s Heughs. ' Their spells were vain ; the boys return'd To the queen in sorrowful mood, Crying that "witches liave no power Where there is roan-tree wood ? " ' Lightfoot, Flora Scotica. 172 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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, ' Arown-tree, witch ! ' — but many of the editions have it, 'aroint thee witch!' which is nonsense, and evidently a corruption."* The European Mountain ash is quite a favourite with cul- tivators 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 interesting. " In the Scottish High- lands, says Gilpin, " on some rocky mountain 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 efiect. 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 furniture with which the sides of 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 foliage 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 mountains along the banks of the Hudson, and other cold and elevated situations in the north of the United * Aboretum et Fruticetum, p. 918. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 173 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 for- eign sort. In the general appearance of the leaves and blos- soms, however, it so nearly resembles the European, as to be thought merely a variety by some botanists. The chief dif- ference 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 cul- tivated. The Sorb or Service tree, {Pyrus Sorbus,) is an interesting 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 clusters of white flowers. The leaves, however, are not pinnated, but simply serrated on the margin. It grows 30 feet high, and as the foliage is dark green on the upper side, and downy white beneath, it presents an effect greatly resembling that of the Sil- ver poplar, in a slight breeze. Abroad, the timber is con- sidered 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, however, 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. 174 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. The Ailantus Tree. Ailantus. JVat. Ord. XanthoxylacesB. Lin. Syst. Polygamia, Monoecia. 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 pin- nated 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, it therefore forms quite a bulky head, but after that period it ad- vances 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 coun- try 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 flowers only, (as far as we can learn,) have been produced here : they form greenish-yellow pani- cles, and are scarcely ornamental. In England, Loudon states that it has ripened seeds at White-Knights, from which plants have been raised. In New- York and Philadelphia, the Ailantus is more gen- erally known by the name of the Celestial tj-ee, and is much * Annales de la Sociele d' Horticulture. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 175 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 in- sects ; and the leaves instead of drooping 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 produ- cing 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 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 Kentucky Coffee Tree. Gymnodadus. Nat. Ord. LeguminossB. 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 Coffee tree in those soils ; and judging from specimens 176 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. growing under our inspection, it will scarcely fall short of that altitude in good cultivated situations, anywhere in the middle states. When in full foliage, this is a very beautiful tree. The whole leaf, doubly compound, and composed of a great num- ber of bluish-2:reen leaflets, is generally three feet long, and two-thirds as wide, on thrifty trees ; and the whole foliage hansfs in a well-rounded mass, that would look almost too heavy, were it not lightened in effect by the loose tufted ap- pearance of each individual leaf. The flowers, which are white, are borne in loose spikes, in the beginning of summer ; •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 dicscious, 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 ca- reer in the primeval wilderness, almost without the neces- saries of life, except as produced by them from the fertile soil ; they fancied that they had discovered a substitute for coflee 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 glad- ly relinquished their Kentucky beverage, for the more grate- ful flavour of the Indian plant ; and no use is at present made of it in that manner. It has however a fine compact wood, highly useful in building or cabinet-work. The Kentucky Coffee 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 strangest trees in appearance, DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 177 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 blunt terminal branches, without any per- m '^ ^ 'V ^%fe [Fig. 21. The Keiilucky Coffee Tree.] ceptible buds. Alto^^ether it more resembles a dry, dead, and withered combination of sticks, than a living and thrifty tree. Although this would be highly monotonous and dis- pleasing, were it the common appearance of our deciduous trees in winter ; yet, as it is not so, but a rare and very un- ique exception to the usual beautiful diversity of spray and ramification, it is highly interesting to place such a tree as the present in the neighbourhood of other full-sprayed spe- cies, w^here the curiosity which it excites M'ill add greatly 23 J 78 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. to its value as an interesting tree, at that period of the year.* The seeds vegetate freely, and the tree is usually propaga- ted in that manner. It prefers a rich strong soil, like most trees of the western states. The Willow Tree. Salix. Nat. Ord. Salicaceae. 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.f 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 ;) the White or Huntington wil- low, (^S*. alba ;) the Golden willow, (S. vitellina ;) the Russell willow, {S. Riisselliana ;) and the profuse Flowering willow, (^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 * There are some very fine specimens upon the lawn at Dr. Hosack's seat, HvJe Park, N. Y. which have fruited for a number of years. See Fig. 21. I Dr. Barratt ofMiddletown, Conn., who has paid great attention to the wil- low, enumerates 100 species as growing in North America, either indigenous or introduced. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 179 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 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 margfins of lakes. When mingrled 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 extremely appro- priate, hanging their slender branches over the liquid ele- ment, and drawing genial nourishment from the moistened soil. "Le saule incline sur la rive penchante, Balan9antmollement 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, connected as they are in our minds with watery soils, will not fail to di- rect 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, picturesque, and beautiful of trees ; elegant in its 180 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. light and delicate waving foliage ; picturesque in its singular and characteristic form ; and beautiful in the flowing lines formed by its drooping branches, as well as in the melan- choly, poetical, and scriptural associations connected with it. Every one will call to mind the captivity of the children of Israel, as connected with this tree : " By the waters of Baby- lon we sat down and 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 mind of the imaginative, the plaintive mur- mur 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 sfrief, " Trailing low its boughs, to hide The gleaming marble.'' To these offices of pensive melancholy, it appears to be ded- icated in almost all countries. The Chinese and other Asi- atic nations, and the Turks, as well as the enlightened Eu- ropeans, universally plant it in their cemeteries and last places of repose. A French writer thus speaks of it, in con- trasting its merits for those purposes, with the cypress. " The cypress was long considered as the appropriate ornament of the cemetery ; but its gloomy shade among the tombs, and its thick, hea\'y foliage, of the darkest green, inspire only depressing thoughts, and present the image of death under its most appalling form. The Weeping willow, on the con- trary, rather conveys a picture of grief for the loss of the depart- ed, 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 sepulchral urn ; and conveys DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. ISl those soothing, though softly melancholy reflections, which have made one of our poets to exclaim, ' There is a pleasure even in orief.' "* On this passage,' Loudon remarks : "Not- withstanding the preference 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 alford an emblem of the hope of immortality; it is still planted in many churchyards on the continent, and alluded to in the epitaphs under this light."t Abroad, the willow was in ancient days worn by young girls, as a symbol of grief for one of their own sex who had died young : " Lay a garland on my hearse, Ot the dismal yew ; Maidens, willow branches wear, Say I died true." The poets often allude to the willow : "A willow garland thou did'st 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 shall 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 with trees expressive of dignity or majesty, as the oak, etc. ; where the violent contrast exhibited in the near proximity of the * Poiteau, Noveau du Hamel. 1 Arb. Brit. 182 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. two opposite forms, could only produce discord. The fa- vourite place, when 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 surrounding 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 fo- liage 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 character- istics in a building. The only place where it can be happily situated in this way, is in the case of very humble or incon- spicuous cottages, which we have seen much ornamented 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 wil- low ; 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 DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 183 a neat, middle-sized tree, with drooping 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, har- ness, cables, and even for the houses of the peasantry them- selves. 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 planta- tions, 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, {S. viminalis,) is the sort usually grown for this purpose, but several others are also employed. For the cul- ture of the basket willows, a deep, moist, though not inun- dated soil is necessary ; such as is generally found on the margins of small streams, or low lands. " Ropes and bas- kets made from willow twigs, were probably among the very earliest manufactures, in countries where these trees abound. The Ronlans 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 valua- ble in the time of Cato, that he ranks the Salictum or willow field, next in value to the vineyard, and the garden. (Art. Salix, Arh. Brit.) Among us, the European Basket willow is extensively cultivated, and very large plantations are to be seen in the 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 gunpowder. 184 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. It is almost unnecessary 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. Lauracese. 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 found, 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-scorbutic, 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 partially flattened, DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 185 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 common 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, ap- pearing to thrive well in any good mellow soil. The Catalpa Tree. Catalpa. Nat. Ord. Bignoniacese. Liju Syst. Diandria, Monogynia. A native of nearly all the states south and west of Virgi- nia, this tree has now become naturalized also throughout the middle and eastern sections of the union, where it is gener- ally planted for ornament. In Carolina it is called the Catawba tree, after the Cataw- 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 inner part of the corolla is delicately sprinkled over with vi. olet, 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 24 186 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 during 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 valued 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 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. 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. Michaux mentions that he has been assured that the ho- n^y 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 DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 187 neighbourlioods where bees are kept in considerable num- bers. 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. Ebenacese. Lin. Si/st. PoJygamia, 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, some twenty or thirty feet high, in good soils in 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 insutferably austere and bitter, until the autumnal frosts have mellowed it, and lessened its harshness, when it becomes quite palatable. Considerable quantities of the fruit are an- nually brought into New- York market, from New-Jersey and its vicinity, 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 188 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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. Virginlana,) grows readily from the seed. There is an European species, (Diospyrus 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. The Peperidge Tree. Nyssa. Xat. Ord. Santalacese. Lin. Syst. Polygamia, Dioecia. 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 Oc- tober. 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 tne tree a very marked and peculiar character. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 189 The Peperidge when of moderate size, is not difficult to transplant, and we consider it a handsome 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 of this continent, viz: the Black gum, (N. sylvatica.,) a tree of greater dimensions, and larger, more elongated leaves, whose northern boundary is the neighbourhood of Philadel- phia ; the Large Tupelo, (iV. 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 southern states, and are little known north of Philadelphia. The wood of all the foregoing trees is remarkable for the peculiar arrangement of 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. 190 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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. 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. o.yy- cantha,) when standing alone, will form neat spreading-top- ped 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, 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 indigenous DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 191 kinds, are the Scarlet Thorn tree, (C. coccinea,) and its vari- eties the Washington Thorn, (C jpojndifolia ) and the Cock- spur Thorn, (C crus-galli); all of which in good soil, will grow to the height of twenty or twenty-five 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, 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, theywere dedicated to Flora, whose festival beofan 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 white, Fills full che waaton eye with May's delight. Court of Love. And Herrick has left us the following lines to " Corrina going a Maying ;" " Come, my Corrina, come ; and coming, mark How eche field turns a street, eche 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." 192 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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, 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-like 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 flowering, with beau- tiful blossoms like small white roses ; the Pink flowering, the Scarlet flowering, 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 different 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 different parts of the pleasure- ground or shrubbery. The Magnolia Tree. Magnolia. Nat, Ord. Magnoliacese. Lin. Syst. Polyandria, PoJygynia. The North American trees composing the genus Magnolia are certainly among the most splendid productions of the for- DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 193 ests in any temperate climate ; and when we consider the 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 na- tive 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. grandiflora,) or Big Laurel, as it is sometimes called, is peculiarly indigenous to that portion of our country south of North Carolina, where its stately trunk, often seventy feet in height, and superb py- ramid 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, open- ing in a wide cup-like form, of the most snowy whiteness 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 several varieties which have been raised from the seed of this species abroad ; the most beautiful is the Exmouth Magnolia, with fine fol- 25 194 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. iage, rusty beneath ; it produces its flowers much earlier and more abundantly than the original sort. 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 accuminata,) (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. grandiflora, 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 bluish white, sometimes tinged with yellow, and slightly fragrant. The fruit is about three inches long, and cylindrical in shape. Most of the inhabi- tants of the country bordering on the Alleghanies, says Mi- chaux, 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 DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 195 than the preceding kinds, rarely growing more than thirty- feet hio-h. The leaves on the terminal shoots, are disposed 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 beau- tiful rose-colour in autumn. 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 difl'using a most agreeable odour. The tree attains only a secondary size, and is dis- tinguished in winter by the whiteness of its bark, compared with the others. The Heart-leaved Magnolia, [M. cor data,) is a beautiful southern species, distinguished by its nearly round, heart- shaped foliage., and its yellow flowers about four inches in di- ameter. 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 are still handsome, pale greenish white, and about four inches in diameter. Besides these, there is a smaller American Magnolia, which is the only sort that in the middle or eastern sections 196 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. of the Union, grows within 150 miles of the seashore. 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 shin- ing, 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 percep- tible for the distance of a quarter of a mile. The foreign sorts introduced into our gardens from China, are the Chinese purple, [M. 'purpurea,) which produces an abundance of large delicate purple blossoms, early in the season ; and the Yulan or Chinese White Magnolia, {M. conspicua,) a most abundant bloomer, bearing beautiful cream-coloured, fragrant flowers in spring, before the leaves appear. These succeed very well in sheltered situations, in our pleasure-grounds, and add greatly to their beauty early in the season. 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. When 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 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. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 197 xVU 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 di- rectly open to violent gales of wind. The White-wood or Tulip Tree. Liriodendron. Nat. Ord. Magnoliaceae. Liru 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 maybe often seen reaching in warm and deep allu- vial soils, 80 or 90 feet in height. But in the western states, where indeed the growth of forest trees is astonishingly vig- orous, this tree far exceeds that altitude. The elder Mi- chaux 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 198 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. form ; being cut off, as it were, at the extremity, or slightly notched and divided also, 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, on full- grown trees have a pleasant, 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 late- ral growth, it will indeed often produce a lower head, but its tendency is to rise, and it only exhibits itself in all its state- liness and majesty when, supported on such a noble colum- nar trunk, it towers far above the heads of its neighbours of the park or forest. Even when at its loftiest elevation, 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, but when older, it becomes deeply furrowed, and is quite picturesque. For the DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 199 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 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 ver- dure, supported on trunks almost architectural in their sym- metry. The leaves also, froiji their bitterness, are but little liable to the attacks of any insect. This tree was introduced into England about 1668; and is now we are informed, to be found in almost every gentle- man's park on the continent of Europe, so highly is it es- teemed 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 pre- served from the barbarous infliction of the axe, which form- erly despoiled without mercy, so many of the majestic deni- zens of our native forests. In the western states, where this tree abounds, it is much used in building and carpentry. The timber is light 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 exten- sively 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 200 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. them. There are two sorts of timber known ; viz. the Yel- low and the White poplar, or tulip tree. These, however, it is well known are the same species, {L. tuUpifej-a,) 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 prepa- ration, as will hereafter be mentioned ; but it is easily propa- gated from seed, or obtained from the nurseries, and the growth is strong and rapid. The Dogwood Tree. Cornus. Nat. Ord. Cornaceae. Lin. Syst. Tetrandria, Monogynia. There are a number of small shrubs that belong to this genus, but the common Dogwood, (Cornus Jlorida,) 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 inches 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 surround- DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 201 ed by the involucrum, which produces all the effect of a fine white blossom. Ill the early part of the season, the Dogwood is one of the o-ayest ornaments of our native woods. It is seen at that time to ^reat 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 o-loomier 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 the sharp frosts have lessened their bitterness, they become 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 Dogwood tree should fairly come under the protection of the planter, and well deserves a place in the pleasure-ground and shrub- bery. The wood is close-grained, hard, and heavy, and takes a good polish. It is too small to enter into general use, but is 26 202 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 country peo- ple, for more than fifty years. Besides this native species there is an European dogwood, {Corniis masmla,) 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 scarlet berries. These are as large as a small cherry, transparent, and hang for a long time upon the tree. The leaves are 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 Gini^o Tree, Nat. Ord. Taxacese. 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, (ex- cept in being three or four times as large,) those of the beau- tiful Maiden hair fern, (Adiantum,) common in our woods : being thickened at the edges, and notched on the mariiin in DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 203 a similar manner. The male flowers are yellow, sessile cat- kins ; the female is seated in a curious kind of cup, formed by the enlargemejit of the summit of the pedundle. 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 coun- try of this tree. They are eaten, after having been roasted or boiled, and are considered excellent. The Salisburia was introduced into this country by that zealous amateur of horticulture and botany, the late Mr. Ha- milton of Woodlands, near Philadelphia, who brought it from England in 17S4, where it had been received from Japan about thirty years previous. There are several of these now growing at Woodlands ; and the largest measures fifty-five feet in height, and three feet four inches in circumference. The next largest specimen which we have seen, is now stand- ing 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 meas- urement is forty feet in elevation, and nearly four in circum- ference. 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 204 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 rountry ; Bunge, who accom- panied the mission from Russia to Pekin, states that he saw near a Pagoda, an immense Ginko tree, with a trunk nearly forty feet in circumference, and still in full vigour of vegeta- tion.* Although nearly related to the Pine tribe, and forming, ap- parently, the connecting link between the conifercB and exo- genous trees, yet unlike the former tribe, the wood of this 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 planted near the house, where its unique character can be readily seen and appreciated. Salishiiria adiantifolia is the only species. In the Uni- ted 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 years 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 * Bull, de la Soc. d'Agir. dii depart, de I'Herault. Arb. Brit. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 205 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. Coniferse. Lin. Syst. Moncecia, Monadelphia. The Southern or Deciduous cypress, {Taxodium disti- chiim,*) 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 Dela- ware, but below that boundary it becomes extremely multi- plied. The low grounds and alluvial soils subject to inunda- tions, 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 Mi- chaux estimates that it is found more or less abundantly, 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 ut- most development. The largest stocks are 120 feet in height, and from 2.5 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 scaf- * Cupressus disticha. 206 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. folds five or six feet from the ground. The roots of the larg- est stocks, particularly of such as are most exposed to inun- dation, are charged with conical protuberances, commonly from eighteen to twenty-four inches, and sometimes lour 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, and I have never succeeded in obtaining shoots by wounding their surface, and covering them with earth. No cause can be assigned for their exis- tence : 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 foliage is open, light, and of a fresh, agreeable tint ; each leaf is four or five inches long, and consists of two par- allel rows of leaflets, upon a common stem. The leaflets are small, fine, and somewhat arching, with the convex side out- wards. 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 Febru- ary. The male and female flowers are borne separately, 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 uneven surface, and stored with small irregular ligneous seeds, containing a cy- lindrical 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 * N. A. Svlva, II, 332. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 207 neo-lected 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. 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 sa- vans and gardens of Europe, with the productions of the new world, and who commenced the living collection, now un- equalled, of American trees, in his own garden. In the lower part of it stands the ^rea^ Cypress^ a tree of noble dimensions, measuring at this time 130 feet in height, and 25 in circum- ference. 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 simi- lar appearance 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 remarka- bly picturesque aspect. This is also heightened by the deep furrows or channels in the trunk, and the singular excres- 208 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. cences 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 stand- ing alone, like that in the Bartram Garden, is a grand object, unitinc with the expression of great elegance and lightness in its foliage, that of magnificence, when we perceive its ex- traordinary height, and huge stem and branches. 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 advantage- ously planted ; for although we have seen it thrive well on a fertile dry loam, yet to attain all its lofty proportions, it re- quires a soil where its thirsty roots can drink in a sufficient supply of moisture. There its growth 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 ul- timately 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 DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 209 transplanted where it is finally to o^row, before it attains too great a development. The European Cypress, ( Cupressus sempervirens,) a beau- tiful evergreen tree, shaped like a small Lombardy poplar, which is the principal ornament of the churchyards and ce- meteries abroad, is unfortunately too tender to endure the winter in any of the states north of Carolina, 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 witli viourning 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. Nat. Ord. ConifersR. Lin. Syst. MoncEcia, 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 Eu- rope, it is a native of the coldest parts of the Alps and Ap- penines ; and in America, is indigenous to the most northern parts of the Union, and the Canadas. The leaves are col- lected 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 mis-shapen, before they can attain that expression, this is sin- gularly so, as soon almost as it begins to assume the stature of a tree. It can never be called a beautiful tree, so far as 27 210 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. beauty consists in smooth outlines, a finely rounded head, or gracefully drooping branches. But it has what is perhaps more valuable, as being more rare, — the expression of bold- [Fig. 22. The European Larth.] ness, 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 irreg- ular 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. Like all highly expressive and characteristic trees, much more care is necessary in introducing the Larch into artifi. cial scenery judiciously, than round-headed trees. If planted in abundance, it becomes monotonous, from the similitude of DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 211 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 harmo- nize with, and strengthen the expression of scenery naturally grand, or picturesque, with which it most readily enters into combination, yet in the hands of taste, there can be no rea- son why so marked a tree should not be employed in giving additional expression to scenery not absolutely devoid of cha- racter. 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 necessary one to enable it to thrive well on those very rocky and bar- ren soils, where it is most in character with the surrounding objects. It is highly valuable to produce effect or shelter 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 adds 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 whieh 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 however all 212 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. the former was consumed, he was astonished to find the Larch tower uninjured.* The wood is also recommended 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 rear- ing trees for timber has been attempted here, nevertheless, the time must come when our attention will necessarily be turned in this direction. When such is the case, it is proba- ble 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 thousands of acres of our sterile soils in some districts, might now be pro- fitably 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- 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 * IS'ewton's Vitruvius, p. 40. DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 213 planting a moor with Larches then, is, that when the trees liave grown so much as to exchide the air and moisture on the surface, the heath is soon exterminated ; and the soil gradually increasing by the decomposition of the leaflets an- nually 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, becomes most valuable pas- ture ; 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 (ster- ling,) 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 eiofht 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 hun- dred to the acre, and twelve feet apart. The Larch is a very quick grower. Between ] 740, and 1744, eleven trees were planted at Blair, the girths of which, at growths from seventy-three to seventy-six years, ranged from eiffht feet two inches, to ten feet. This lot was calcula- ted to average one hundred feet each, in the whole, one thou- sand 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 shil- lings per foot, would give the sum of £264, 10s. ($1174) for twenty-two Larch trees, of something under eighty years old. We find by the Duke of Athol's tables of m.easurement, that trees plantsd 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 1 733 and 1759, amounted to one thousand nine hun- 214 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. dred 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. The following is the probable supply of Larch timber from Athol, beginning twelve years from 1817. Loads annually. Scotch acres about, in 1829 1841 4,250 1851 8,000) 1859 18,000 } 2,000 1867 30,000 ) 1883 52,000 > 1886 120,000 S 12 years before cutting, or 12 years before cutting, . 10 do. do. 8 do. do. 8 do. do. 16 do. do. 3 do. do. 3,500 69 39 (years calculated to finish )jgg9 ^3. j g^Q 6 ( 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 DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 215 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 walking 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 the 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 de- cayed, and were twice renewed in the course of a very few years, while those that were made of the Larch, remained al- together unchanged." Besides the foregoing species, [Larix Europea,) we have two native sorts much resembling it ; which are chiefly found in the states of Maine, Vermont, and New-Hampshire. These are known by the names of the Red Larch, [L. microcar- pa,) and the Black Larch, (L. pendiila) ; 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 suf- ficient moisture can be commanded, as their peculiar forms are striking and picturesque. In the upper part of Massachusetts, we have observed them in their native soils growing 70 or 80 feet high, and assuming a highly elegant appearance. Their foliage is bluish-green, and more delicate ; yet altogether the Ameri- can Larch appears to be less picturesque, (except far north,) than the foreign species. 216 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. SECTION V. EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. The History and Description of all the finest Hardy Evergreen Trees. Remarks on their EFFECTS IN LANDSCAPE GaRDENINO, INDIVIDUALLY AND IN COMPOSITION. Their CultlVft- tion, etc. The Pines. The Firs. The Cedar of Lebanon. The Red Cedar. The Arbor Vitae. The Holly. The Yew, etc. Beneath the forest's skirt I rest, Whose branching Pines rise dark and high, And hear the breezes of the West Among the threaded fohage sigh. Bryant. The Pine Tree. Pinus. Nat. Ord. Coniferee. Lin. Syst. 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 architecture, 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, Germa- EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. 217 ny, 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, and flourishing in an atmosphere the mean temperature 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 Popo- cotapetl, as high as 12,693 feet, beyond which altitude vege- tation ceases entirely.-]- The Pines are, most of them, trees of considerable magni- tude and lofty growth, varying from 40 to 150 or even 200 feet in height in favourable situations, rising with a perpen- dicular trunk, which is rarely divided into branches, bearing much proportionate size to the main stem, as in most decid- uous trees. The branches are much more horizontal 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 number 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 extracted, and f6rms in the va- rious shapes of tar, pitch, rosin, turpentine, balsam, etc., a considerable article of trade and export. As ornamental trees, the Pines are peculiarly valuable for the deep verdure of their foliage, which, unchanged by the * Edinburgh Phil. Journ. t Proc. Geological Soc. Lend. Arb. Brit. 28 218 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 shel- ter and protection which they afford in cold, bleak, and ex- posed situations. We shall here particularize those species, 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. strobus,) 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 melan- choly sound : — " The Pines of Mosnalus 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 Pine EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. 219 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 woli.^v,'j>, marble 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. At Blithewood, the seat of R. Donaldson, Esq., on the Hudson, a number of exquisite vases may ^^r.i'^'^o-^a^s^smy^ 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 extremely beautiful, but very durable. Their colour is a warm shade of gray which harmoni- zes agreeably with the surrounding vege- tation. 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- ducino: a work of art to the level of a mere o-arden flower-pot, and dividing the attention between 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- (Fig. -19. 356 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. I Fig. SO.l 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 may be found in vases or bas- kets of rustic icork, constructed of the branch- es and sections of trees with the bark attached. Figure 51 is a representation of a pleasing rustic vase which we have constructed without difficulty. A tripod of branches of trees forms the pedestal. An octa- gonal box serves as the body or frame of the vase ; on this, pieces of birch and hazle, (small split limbs covered with the bark,) are nailed closely, so as to form a sort of mosaic covering to the whole exterior. Ornaments of this kind, which may be made by the amateur with the as- sistance of a common carpenter, are very suitable for the decoration of the grounds and flower-gardens of cottages or picturesque 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, {Jig- 52,) are among the oldest decorations for the garden and grounds, and there are scarcely any which [Fig- 51 EMBELLISHMENTS. 357 we think more suitable. They are not merely- decorative, but have also a 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 si- lent monitors of the flight of time, we become in a degree attached to it, and almost look upon it as gifted with a species of intelligence, which looks out when the sunbeams smile upon its dial- [Fig. 52.] plate. The Architectural Flotver-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 d^eau. 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 appendage to the house, on two accounts. First, because, as we have already 358 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. shown, it serves an admirable purpose in effecting a harmo- nious union between the house and the grounds. And sec- ondly, 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 effect of the former by contrast, as well as by the relief they afford 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 with 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 affords a dry footing at nearly all hours and seasons. (Fig.53. The Irregular Flower-garden.] EMBELLISHMENTS. 359 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, ^o*. 53, which may be varied at plea- sure. In it the irregular boundary of shrubs is shown at a, the flower-beds h, 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 di- rectly 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 distant 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 reg- ular modes of laying out the area devoted to this purpose. 360 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 •parterres of embroidery, as they are called, being kept distinct and clear. To do this effectually, 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 symmet- rical forms and figures, or they are characterized by irregular 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 generally cho- sen, and the eftect, 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 admitted that are shy bloomers, or which have ugly habits of growth, meagre or starved foliage; the aim being brilliant effect, 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, hyacinths and other fine bulbous roots occupy a certain portion of the beds, the inter- vals being filled with handsome herbaceous plants, perma- nently 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. 361 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 Jig. ,54. In this the plants are so disposed, that when in flower the corresponding forms of the figure contain corresponding co- loured 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. o "^ ta-v u?o,,' [Fig. 54. The Flcnver-Garden at Dropmore.] In Summer. Beds. 1. Rosa Indica, (blush China,) bordered with R. Semperfloreua Acre pleno, and R. Indica minor. 2. Pelargonium inquinans, (Scarlet Geranium.) 3. Verbena Lamberti. 4. Senecio elegans, flora 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 chinensis, (Indian Pink,) and Mignonette. 12. Lobelia splendens. 13. Dianthus satifolius. 46 362 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. Bess. 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 Gera- nium. 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 triflda. ^ 26. Lobelia fulgens. 27. Petunea Phcenecia. 28. Commelina celestis. 29. Cistus guttatus. 30. Campanula pentagona. 31. Four seasons Rose and Mignonette. 32. Bouvardia triphylla. 33. 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. Agatheoea 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. 363 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 masses, is productive of by far the most splendid eflect. In England, where flower-gardens are car- ried 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 profusion until frost ; as Fuchsias, Salvias, Lobelias, Scarlet Geraniums, etc., *Ency. of Gardening, 1000. 364 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. [Kig. 55. English riower-Garden.] 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, alternating them with hardy bulbs, and the finer species of annuals. In Jig. 55, we give an example of a small cottage or villa * In many English residences, the flower-garden is maintained in never- fading- brilliancy by almost daily supplies from what is termed the reserve gar- deju 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 ultima- tum of refinement in flower-gardening, has never, to our knowledge, been at- tempted in this country. EMBELLISHMENTS. 365 residence, of one or two acres, where the flower-beds are dis- posed around the lawn in the Enghsh style : their forms irregular, with curved outlines, affording a great degree of variety in the appearance as viewed from different points on the lawn itself. In this, the central portion is occupied by the lawn ; c, d, are the flower-beds, planted with showy bor- der-flowers, in separate masses ; 6, the conservatory. Sur- rounding the whole is a collection of choice shrubs and trees, the lowest near the walk, and those behind increasing in al- titude as they approach the boundary wall or fence. In this plan, as there is supposed to be no exterior view worth pre- serving, 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 different 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 stems of the luxuriant dahlias in November. This may be done with a very small catalogue of plants if they are prop- erly selected : such as flower at different seasons — continue 366 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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, inclu- ding the Isle de Bourbon varieties, some few Eschscholtzias, the showy Petunias, Gillias, and other annuals, and a dozen choice double Dahlias, 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 everything the possessor can lay his hands on, or crowd within the enclosure. The 7ningled flower-garden, as it is termed, is by far the most common mode of arrangement in this country, though it is seldom well eff'ected. 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 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 EMBELLISHMENTS, 367 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 g-ar- dener, or an amateur, is perfectly informed on these points, he can take a given number of plants of diiferent 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 which grow from six to twelve inches in height. No. 2, Those which grow from one to two feet. No. 3j Those which are over two feet in height. Flowering m April. 1. Anemone ihalictroides, pi. Double wood Anemone ; white. 1. Anemone Pulsatilla. Pasque flower ; blue. 1. Anemone hepatica, pi. Double Hepaticas ; blue. 1. Viola odorata, pi. Double white and blue European violets. 1. Omphalodes verna. Blue Venus Navelwort. 1. Folemonium reptans. Greek Valerian ; blue. 1. Phlox stolonifera. Creeping Phlox ; red. 2. Phlox divaricata. Early purple Phlox. 368 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 grandijlora. 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. Adoni s ; yellow. 2. Dodecatheon meadia. American Cowslip ; lilac. 2. Pulmonaria virginica. Virginian Lungwort ; purple. 2. Alyssum saxatile. Golden basket ; yellow. 2. TroUius europeus. European Globe flower ; yellow. 1. Corydalis cucularia. Breeches-flower ; white. Mat. 1. yeromcag-en/zanoides; Gentian leaved Speedwell ; blue. 2. Veronica spicata ; Blue spiked Speedwell. 2. Penistemon ovata ; Oval leaved Pentstemon ; blue. 2. Pentstemon airopurpureus ; Dark purple Pentstemon. 2. Orobus niger ; Dark purple Vetch. 1. Jeff'ersonia 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. 1. Phlox pilosa; Hairy Pplox; red. 2. Anchusa Italica ; Italian Bugloss ; blue. 2. Ranunculus acris,pl. Double Buttercups; yellow. 2. Tradescantia virginica ; blue and white Spiderwort. 2. Lupinus polyphyllus ; Purple Lupin. 2. Iris sibirica ; Siberian Iris ; blue. 3. Iris fiorentina ; Florentene Iris ; white. 3. Pcconia tenuifolia ; small leaved Pseony ; red. 3. Paonia albiflora ; single white Pseony. 2. Lupinus nootkaensis ; Nootka Sound Lupin ; blue. 2. Hesperis matronalis, alba, pi. ; the double white Rocket. 2. Phlox suaveolens ; the white Phlox or Lychnidea. 2. Phlox maculata ; the purple spotted Phlox. 3. Hemerocallis flava ; the yellow Day-lily. 2. Lupinus perennis and rivularis ; perennial Lupins ; blue. 2. Lychnis floscuculi, pi. ; double ragged-Robin ; red. 2. Papaver orientalis ; oriental scarlet Poppy. EMBELLISHMENTS. 369 2. Aquilegia canadensis ; wild Columbine ; scarlet. 1. Houstonia ccerulea; blue Houstonia. June. 1. Spircca filipendula, pi. ; Double Pride of the Meadow ; white. 2. Spircea lobata ; Siberian Spirea ; red. 2. Spircea Ulmaria, pi. ; double Meadow-sweet ; white. 2. Delphinium grandiflorum, pi. ; double dark blue Larkspur. 2. Delphinium chinense, pi. ; double Chinese Larkspur ; blue. 2. Dianthus horiensis ; garden Pinks, many double sorts and col- ours. 2. Caltha palusiris, pi. ; double marsh Marygold ; yellow. 1. Cypripedium pubescens ; Yellow Indian Moccasin. 2. Folemonium cccruleum, and album; common white and blue Greek Valerian. 2. Campanula persicifolla, pi. ; double peach-leaved Campanula ; white. 2. Aniirhinum 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. Eschschohzia californica ; golden Escscholtzia ; yellow. 1. Lychnis fulgens ; fulgent Lychnis ; red. 1. Dianthus chinensis ; Indian Pinks ; variegated. 2. Dianthus caryophyllus ; Carnation; variegated. 1. Verbena muUifida ; cut-leaved Verbena ; purple. 1. Verbena Lamberti ; Lambert's Verbena ; purple. 2. Campanula grandijlora ; large blue Bell-flower. 3. Aconitum 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 erecta; upright Clematis; white. 3. Linum perenne ; perennial Flax ; blue. 3. FcRonia Humei ; double blush Pceony. 3. Pcemia fragrans ; double fragrant Pceony rose. 3. Posonia whitley ; double white Pceony. 3. Gaillardia arisiata ; bristly Gaillardia; yellow. 2. Asphodelus ramosus ; branchy Asphoder ; white. 2. Pentstemon speciosa ; showy Pentstemon ; blue, 1. Iris Susiana; Chalcedonian Iris ; mottled. 47 370 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. Jdly. 2. Dictamnus Fraxinella; purple Fraxinella. 2. Dictamnus alba ; white Fraxinella. 1. Pentstemon Ricliardsomi ; Richardson's Pentstemon ; pnrple. 1. Pentstemon pubescens ; downy Pentstemon ; lilac. 2. Anchusa officinalis ; common Bugloss ; blue. 1. Campanula carpatica ; Carpathian Bell-flower ; blue. 2. Monarda didyma ; scarlet Balm. 2. CEnothera Fraseri; Frasces Dvening Primrose ; yellow. 2. CEnothera 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. Dianthus deltoides ; Mountain Pink ; red. 1. Veronica maritima ; Maratime Speedwell ; blue. 3. Delphinium datum ; 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 lat folium. ; Perennial Pea ; purple. August. 2. Catananche ccereulea ; blue Catananche. 1. Corydalis formosa ; red Fumitory. 1. Phlox cariiea ; 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, 2. Lobelia cardinalis ; Cardinal-flower ; red. 1. Lychnis coronata ; Chinese orange Lychnis. 2. Lythrum Salicaria ; Willow Herb ; purple. 3. Yucca filamentosa ; Adam's Thread ; white. 3. Yucca jlaccida ; Flaccid Yucca ; white- EMBELLISHMENTS. 371 3. Phlox paniculata ; pauicled Phlox ; purple and white. 3. Campanula pyramidalis ; pyramidal Bell-flower ; blue and white. 2. Liatris squarrosa ; Blazing Star ; blue. 3. Epilobium spicatum ; purple spiked Epilobium. 2. Coreopsis tenuifolia ; fine-leaved Coreopsis ; yellow. 3. Cassia marylandica ; Maryland Cassia ; yellow. September and October. 1. Achillea Plar mica, pi. ; double Milfoil; white. 2. Coreopsis grandijlora ; large yellow Coreopsis. 1. Aster linifolius ; fine-leaved Aster ; white. 2. Eupatorium ccelestinum ; 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 novce-anglia: ; New-England Aster ; purple. 3. Echinops Ritro ; Globe thistle ; 3. 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 thie scenery. It is evident on a moment's reflection, that shrubs being intrinsically more ornamental than trees, on account of the beauty and abundance of their flowers, they will gen- erally be placed near and about the house, in order that their gay blossoms and fine fragrance may be more constant- 372 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 pleasure-ground character, shrubs of all descriptions may be grouped with good effect, in the same manner as trees, throughout the grounds. The finer and more rare 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 ex- pression of lofty full grown trees, except perhaps, they were planted here and there, among large groups, as underwood ; 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 beautiful 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. 55, page 364. 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 EMBELLISHMENTS. 373 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 bor- der, 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 lawn is mown. As in picturesque scenes, every thing depends upon growp- ingwell, it will be found that shrubs maybe employed with excellent effect, in connecting single trees, or finishing a group composed of large trees, or giving fulness to groups 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 pictur- 374 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. esque 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 al- ready ; and what we have said respecting botanical rarities in flowering plants maybe applied with equal force to shrubs, viz : that in order to produce a brilliant 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. Flowering in April. 1. Daphne mezeremn, The pink Mezereum D. M. album, the white Mezereum. 2. Sheperdia argentea, the Buffalo berry ; yellow. 1. Folhergilla alnifoUa, the alder-leaved Fothergilla ; brown. EMBELLISHMENTS. 375 1. Cydoniajaponica, the Japan Quince ; scarlet. 1. Cydonica japonica alba, the Japan Quince ; white. 2. Amelancliier Botryapium, the snowy Medlar. 1. Ribes aureum, the Missouri Currant ; yellow. 1. CoroniUa Emerus, the Scorpion Senna ; yellow. 2. Magnolia conspicua, the Chinese chandelier Magnolia ; white. Mat. 2. Cralegus oxycantha, the scarlet Hawthorn. 2. Crategus oxycantha, Jl. pleno, the double white Hawthorn. 2. Chionanthus 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 fllorida, the Sweet-scented-shrub ; brown. 1. Magnolia purpurea, the Chinese purple Magnolia. 2. Halesia tetraptera, the silver Bell tree ; white. 2. Syringa vulgaris, 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. 1. Kerria or Corchorus Japonica, the Japan Globe flower ; yellow. 1. Lonicera tartarica, the Tartarian upright Honeysuckles ; red and white. 1. Fhiladelphus coronarius, the common S)Tringo, and the double Syringe ; white. 1. Spiraa hypericifolia, the St. Steplien's vireath ; white. 1. Spiraea 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. Pceonia Moutan banksia, and rosea, the Chinese tree Pseo- nias ; purple. 1. Benthamiafragifera, the red berried Bentharaia ; yellow. JuiME. 1. Amorpha fruticosa, the Indigo Shrub ; purple. 2. Colutea arborescens, the yellow Bladder-senna. 1. Colutea cruenta, the red Bladder-senna. 1. Cytisus capitatus, the cluster-flowered Cytissus ; yellow. 1. Stuarlia virginica, the white Stuartia. 1. Cornus sanguinea, the bloody twig Dogwood ; white. 1. Hydrangea quercifolia, the oak-leaved Hydrangea ; white. 376 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 2. PMladelphus grandijlorus, the large flowering Syringo ; white. 2. Viburnum Opulus, the Snow-ball ; white. 2. Magnolia glauca, the swamp Magnolia ; white. 1. Robinia hispida, the Rose-acacia. July. 1. Spirea bella, the beautiful Spirea ; red. 2. Sophora japonica, the Japan Sophora ; white. 2. Sophora japonica pendula, the weeping Sophora ; wiiite. 2. Rhus Cotinus, 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, Cytisus purpureu, the purple Laburnum. 1. Cytisus argenteus, the silvery Cytissus ; yellow. 1. Cytisus nigricans, the black rooted Cytissus ; yellow. 2. Kcelreuteria paniculata, the Japan Koelreuteria ; yellow. August and September. 1. Clethra 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 Althea. 1. Spircca tomentosa, the tomentose Spirea ; red. 2. Magnolia glauca, thompsoniana, the late flowering Magnolia ; white. 1. Baccharis halimifolia, the Groundsel tree ; purple. 2. Euonymus europccus, the European Strawberry tree, (in fruit,) red. 2. Euonymus europceus alba, the European Strawberry tree ; the fruit white. 1. Euonymus latifolius, the broad-leaved Strawberry tree ; red. 1. Daphne mezereum, autumnalis, 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 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 EMBELLISHMENTS. 377 grown as standards, is wonderfully brilliant, when they are in full bloom. Perhaps the situation where they are display- ed to the greatest advantage is, in the centre of small round, oval, or square beds in the flower-garden, where 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 evergreen 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 au- tumn and winter, are not hardy enough to endure the depress- ed temperature often degrees below zero. South of Phila- delphia, these beautiful exotic evergreens may be acclimated with good success, and will add astonishingly to the interest of the shrubbery and grounds in winter. 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. Kalmia latifolia, the common Laurel ; several colours. Juniperus suecia, the Swedish Juniper, Juniperis communis, the Irish Juniper. Buxus arbarescens, the common Tree-box, the Gold striped Tree- box, and the Silver striped Tree-box. Ilex opaca, the American Holly. Craiegus pyracantha, the Evergreen Thorn. 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 difierent members of a family. Those who have not enjoyed it, can hardly imagine the 48 378 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 fots 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. 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- 1 EMBELLISHMENTS. 379 ner altogether superior to those in pots. The allusion to na- ture 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 per- fect 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 partic- ular taste, as that of a botanical amateur, who wishes to sfrow 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- ultino: 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 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 e?ids of the conservatory joins the 380 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 unnecessary to state, that the roof of a conservatory, or indeed any other house where plants are to be well-grown, must be glazed. Opaque roofs prevent the admission of perpendicular light, without which, the stems of vegetation are drawn up weak and feeble, as well as 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 will be much more elegant, and the plants will thrive more admirably, if 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 compara- tively sunless. When the conservatory adjoins and looks into the flower-garden, the effect will be appropriate and pleasing. 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 EMBELLISHMENTS. 381 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 some 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, (thous^h 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 efficient 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 di- ameter from an open boiler, and by Perkins' mode,* as it is called, which employs small pipes of an inch in diameter, * An agency for this complete method of heating buildings of al! de- scriptions to a mild and equal temperature, has recently been established at New- York, at the office of the Howell Works, 238 Water-street. 382 LANDSCAPE GARDENING, hermetrically sealed. Economy of fuel and in the time requi- site in attendance, are the chief merits of the hot water sys- tems, 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. 5G. Villa of J. W. Perry, Esq , al Brooklyn, N. V, with the CoDserviilory attached.] One of the most beautiful conservatories attached to the dwelling, to which we can refer our readers, for an example, is that of J. W. Perry, Esq., Brooklyn, near New- York, ^g-. 56, forming the left wing of this elegant villa. The most magnificent detached conservatory is that of J. P. Gushing, Esq., at his elegant seat, Belmont Place, Watertown, near * 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. 383 Boston. In both these examples, the buildings are heated by hot water, the pathways paved with marble, and the whole is in the highest order and keeping. 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 equal to 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 plant 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. Open and covered seats, of vaiious 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 offer an agreeable place for rest or repose. If there are certain points, from which are obtained agreeable prospects or extensive 384 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-lilie 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 pe- destals 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 rus- tic seats and structures of any kind; but architectural decora- lions and architectural seats are there correctly introduced. For the same reason also, as we have already suggested, 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. The simplest variety of covered architectural seat, is the latticed arbour for vines of various description, with the seat underneath the canopy of foliage: this may with more pro- 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- EMBELLISHMENTS. 385 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. 571 tecture prevails. There is a circular pavilion of this kind at the termination of one of the walks at Dr. Ho- sack's residence, Hyde Park. Fig. 57. 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 pic- turesque 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 lono; walk in the tr.g. s8.] 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 58, 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. 59, is a seat of the same character, made at the foot of a tree, whose overhanging branches afford a fine shade. Figure 60, is a covered seat or rustic arbour, with a thatch- ed roof of straw. Twelve posts are set securely in the ground, which make the frame of this structure, the open- 49 386 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 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 61, 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 di penchant. Geological or miner- alogical specimens of the adjacent neighbour- hood, would be very proper for such a cabinet. The seat surrounds it on the outside, over which is a thatched roof or [Fig. 61.] EMBELLISHMENTS. 387 veranda, supported on rustic pillars formed of the trunks of saplings, with the bark attached. [Fig. 62. Rmtic covered Seat.] 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 62, 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 fine 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, arbors, 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- tity, they may be nailed on in squares, diamonds, medallions, or other patterns, and have the efi^ect 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 388 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. abroad. The skeleton or frame-work of the arbor 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 wedore. 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 diiferent colours, which has an effect not unlike that of a thick Brussels carpet. The mosses retain their colour for a great length of time, and when properly ranmied in with the wedge, they cannot be pulled out again without breaking their tops. The only example which we have seen of a handsome moss-house in this country, is at Winship's Garden, Brighton, near Boston. A prospect toioer is a most desirable and pleasant struc- ture in certain residences. Where the view is comparative- ly limited from the grounds, on account of their surface be- ing 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 cPmil, or bird's-eye view of the surrounding country is obtained. Those of our readers who may have visited the delightful garden and grounds of M. Parmentier, near Brooklyn, some half a dozen years since, during the lifetime of that amiable and zeal- ous amateur of horticulture, will readily re- [t'ig- 63. ProsiwctAibor.J i i • member the rustic prospect-arbor, or tower, figure 63, which was situated at the extremity of his place. EMBELLISHMENTS, 389 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 afford- ed no prospect, a beautiful reach of the neighbourhood for many miles was enjoyed. Figure 64 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 the interior to the platform of the second and upper stories, where there are seats under the open thatched roof On a/erme 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 detach- ed building, and in this country it may be built of logs in a tasteful manner with a thatched roof; the interior beinof 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 con- ceal. A species of useful decoration, which is perhaps more nat- urally 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, 390 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. is highly necessaiy. In pieces of artificial water that are ir- regular 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 /^^^\ brought in with the happiest effect. Fig. i-r rt=as9Si^'^^i^f ^^ ^'^ ^ rustic bridge erected under our ,^^^^^^^^M direction. The foundation is made by [Fig. 65. Rus.ic 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 al- lowed 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. Rockwork is another kind of decoration sometimes intro- duced in particular portions of the scenery of a residence, j^^. 66. When well executed, that is, so as to have a natural and harmonious expression, the effect is highly pleasino-. We have seen, however, in places where a high keeping and EMBELLISHMENTS. 391 ^Vf^;^ [Pig. 66. 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 at- tempt nothing of the kind, unless there is a suitable place for its display, and at the same time, the person attempting it is sufiiciently 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 rockwork 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 effect 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- 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. 392 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. It often happens in a place of considerable extent, that somewhere in conductingr the walks throufifh the grrounds, 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 pictur- esque 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 aiford sufficient hints if the artist is " Prodigue de genie," and has a perception of the natural beauty which he desires to imitate. 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 EMBELLISHMENTS. 393 concealing and adorning the rocks with their neat green foliage and pretty blossoms, the effect of the whole, if prop- erly 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 orrowth 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 nat- ural 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 cropping out. as the geologists say, then the rockwork 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 ar- tificial appearance. In a previous page, when treating of the banks of pieces of water formed by art, we endeavoured to show how the nat- ural, 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 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- 50 394 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 un- known, their introduction in rockworks, nine times in ten, is more likely to give rise to emotions of the ridiculous, than those of the sublime or picturesque. 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 • 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 Brough- ton of Hoole House, Chester, England, has succeeded in forming round a nat- ural valley an imitation of the hills, glaciers, and scenery of a passage in Switzer- land. 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. 395 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, Ttie 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 [Fig. 67. Design for a rountiiu] 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 effecting 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 sufiicient size, which is to be placed under the roof in the upper story of 396 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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 gener- ally 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 fost,) 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 suf- ficiently 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 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 EMBELLISHMENTS. 307 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 different 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 di- ameter 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 reservoir ; a main of sufficient size, with branch pipes to each jet, be- ing all that is required. Where the conduit pipe enters the 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 398 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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, ouofht to be a cock for turninor 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 movable 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 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 EMBELLISHMENTS. 399 the different heights. The following table* shows with a given height of reservoirs and diameter of conduit pipes and orifices, the height to which the water will rise in the fountain. Height of the Diameter of the Diameters of tlie Height the water Reservoir. Conduit pipes. Orifices. will rise to. Feet. 1 Inches. Inches. | Lines. Lines. 1 Parts. Feet. 1 Inches. 5 1 0 22 4 0 5 0 10 4 0 25 5 0 10 0 15 9 2i 0 6 0 15 0 21 4 21 0 61 0 7 0 20 0 33 0 3^ 0 30 0 45 4 41 0 5' 0 7 8 40 0 58 4 8 10 50 0 72 0 6 0 10 12 60 0 86 4 12 14 70 0 100 0 7 0 12 15 80 0 [Fig 68 A simple jet, (fig. 68,) 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. Architectural fountains of a highly beautiful description, are made of an artificial stone, which is extremely durable, withstanding the efiects of our climate almost as well as free- stone, by Aust 171, a. manufacturer in the New-Road, Lon- don, and by Goodwill of Chambers-street, New- York. The increased facility of comnmnication with England, renders it almost as easy to procure articles of this descrip- tion from London, as from one of our own ports ; but we do not doubt that when once a taste for them becomes general here, we shall find them made at even cheaper rates at home. * Switzer's Introduction to a general system of Hydrostatics. 400 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. Weeping, or Tazza Fountains as they are called, are simple and highly pleasing objects which require only a ni^TiTT'^'rTTS'^i ^^''y nioderate supply of water com- I'Jlj^^^^^^^!^ ;,';';; pared with that demanded by a con- jiV/' v|jljl|i:^^^'; /' ■;i ['i:i('; stant and powerful jet. The conduit :i ;ijl;^.'''!'t^iji|^-|! I ||i|:^|'- pipe rises through and fills the vase, rp:, .„ ' , p , . , which is so formed as to overflow [fig. ba. 'lazza luuntaiii.J round its entire margin. Figure 69 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 made by introducing the conduit pipe or pipes among the groups of rockwork 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. ' ' '■''■ ''' '■' Fotitttains 5f a h%hl"y '^i'tTfi'fcial character are happily situ- ated only when they are placed in the neighbourhood of buildings qjiid ar,cj;^i,f,epturfil forms. When only a single EMBELLISHMENTS. 401 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 view- ed from the windows of the rooms ; and the falling wa- tery spray suggesting ideas of coolness is no less delightful in the surrounding stillness, of a summer evening. After all that we 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 neat villa residence, when the house, with afew 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 through- out the garden and grounds, while the latter, in themselves, evince a slovenly degree of keeping, and a crude and meagre knowledge of design in Landscape Gardening. Unity of expression^ is the maxim and guide in this de- partment of the art, as in every other. Decorations can never be introduced with good effect, when they are at va- riance with the character of surrounding objects. A beauti- ful Grecian villa, may with the greatest propriety, receive the decorative accompaniments of elegant vases, sundials, or statues, should the proprietor choose to display his wealth and taste in this manner ; but these decorations would be to- tally misapplied in the case of a plain square edifice, evinc- ing no architectural style in itself. 51 402 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 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.jDy means of appropriate dec- orations, 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 when they are manifestly appropri- ate 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 undisturbed meditation may be enjoyed. As our favourite Delille says : " Sachez ce qui convient ou nuit au caractere. Un reduit ecarle. dans un lieu solitaire, Peint mieux la solitude encore et I'abandon. Montrez-vous done fideie k chaque expression ; N'allez pas au grand jour offrir un ermitage : Ne cachez point un temple au fond d'un bois sauvage." 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- EMBELLISHMENTS. 403 merit of plantations, those who have seen the difference in as- pect of certain favourite localities of wild nature, as covered with wood, and 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 purposes, by the aid of time, with ease and fa- cility. APPENDIX. I. 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. There 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 re- marks here, with the hope of rendering it a more easy and successful prac- tice 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 meagrely clothed with trees, while many beautiful sites for residences have in past years been so denuded, that the nakedness of their appearance constitutes a serious objection to them 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 phy- siology, and partly from mal-practice in the operation of removal itself. When the admirably written "Planter's Guide," by Sir Henry Steuarf, made its appearance some ten years ago, not only describing minutely the 406 APPENDIX. 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, beau- tified 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 respects 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 favourable in the world, for restoring the weakened or impaired vital action of large transplant- ed trees. In this country, on the contrary, the dry atmosphere, and constant evaporation under the brilliant sun of our summers, are most important ob- stacles with which the transplanter has to contend, and which render com- plete 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 suffi- ciently large to produce very considerable immediate eflfect, 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 per- formed. Either of these causes would account for bad success in removals ; and where, as is frequently the case, both are combined, 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- moval of a forest tree, as ordinarily performed by many persons, would scarcely suppose that anything beyond mere physi£al strength was required. APPENDIX. 407 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 surroundmg 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, complet- ing 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 reasonably expect or hope for success after such treatment in transplanting, is what we never could fully miderstand ! 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 lar- ger and more important ones only, but as far as possible all the numerous small fibres and rootlets so indispensably necessary in assisting 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 numerous 'points of these fibres called spongioles, that the food of plants is imbibed, and the destruction of such is, therefore, in the highest degree fatal to the success of the trans- planted 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 majority 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 on- ward from the extremity of the circle to the centre, and when we reach the nucleus of roots surrounding the trunk, and fairly undermine the whole, we shall find ourselves 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 408 APPENDIX. degree of experience, which is only to be acquired by practice, but also much f alienee and perseverance while 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 latter case, if the work be well performed, we shall have the satisfaction of beholding the subjects, when removed, soon taking fresh root, and becoming 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 por- tion of the 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-estab- lishing the tree, as the roots ; and indeed the two act so reciprocally with each other, that any considerable injury to the one, always affects 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 nat- ural contrivance for exposing a large surface to the influence of external agents, by whose assistance the crude sap contained in the stem is altered and rendered suitable to the particular wants of the species, and for re- turning into the general circulation, the fluids in their matured condition. In a word, the leaf of a plant is its lungs and stomach traversed by a sys- tem of veins." * All the pruning, therefore, that is necessary, when 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. * Theory of Horticulture. APPENDIX. 409 Next in importance to the requisite care in performing the operation of transplanting, is the proper choice of individual trees to be 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 surrounded 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 trans- plant 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 external appearance between such trees and those which stand singly in open spaces. In thick woods, trees are found to have tall, slender trunks, with compara- tively few branches except at the top, smooth and thin bark, and they are scantily provided with roots, but especially with the small fibres so essen- tially 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 Stewart has aptly denominated, the '■'■protecting properties'^ v^eW 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 fel- lows, and scarcely ever receiving the sun and air freely except at their top- most 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 pecu- liar properties contribute, in a remarkable manner, to their health and pros- perity. 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 supe- rior tliickness and induration of bark is, in like mannei; bestowed for the 52 410 APPENDIX. 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 nour- ishment 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 unvarying characteristics of trees in open exposures are conferred upon them. Nor are they conferred equally and indiscrim- inately upon all trees so situated. They seem, by the economy of nature, to be peculiar adaptations to the circumstances and wants of each individual, uniformly hestoived 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 balanced upon the machine, the horses are fastened in front of the mass of 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, par- tially undermining the tree, and shortening back many of the roots ; and afterwards replacing the former soil by rich mould or soil well manured. This is suffered to remain at least one year, and often three or four vears ; the tree, stimulated by the fresh supply of food, throws out an abundance of small fibres, which render success, when the time for removal arrives, comparatively certain. * The Planter's Guide, p. 105. APPENDIX. 411 It may be well to remark here, that before large trees are transplanted into their final situations, the latter should be well prepared by trenching, or digging the soil three feet deep ; intermingling throughout the whole a hberal portion of well decomposed manure, or rich compost. To those who are in the habit of planting trees of any size in unprepared ground, or that merely prepared by digging one spit deep and turning in a little sur- face 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 ex- pense incurred in the first instance. 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 interstices are left, which may produce mouldiness and decay of the roots. To avoid this the soil must be firmly broken 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 practise it almost invariably,) it should always be done while the planting is going forward. Poured in the hole when the roots are 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 in this way when planted, 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 plant- ed 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 sur- face becomes baked, and but little water reaches the roots ; just sufficient perhaps to afford a momentary stimulus, to be followed by increased sensi- bility 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 pre- 412 APPENDIX. ferred 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, as should it be deferred to a later period, the trees will be likely to suffer greatly by the hot summer sun before they are well estab- lished. The transplanting of evergreens is generally considered so much more difficult than that of deciduous trees, and so many persons who have tole- rable success in the latter, fail in the former, that we may perhaps be ex- pected 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 impossibe to succeed in the temperate portions of the United States, from the different character of our climate at these seasons. The genial moisture of the English climate, ren- ders transplanting comparatively easy at all seasons, but especially in win- ter ; 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 disturb- ed plant is peculiarly alive, paralyzes vital action, and the tree is so much enfeebled that, when spring arrives, it survives but a short period. The only period, therefore, that remains for the successful removal of ever- greens here, is the spring. When planted as early as practicable in the spring, so as to have the full benefit of the abundant rains so beneficial to vegetation at that season, they will almost immediately protrude new shoots, and regain their former vigour. Evergreens are, in their roots, much more delicate and impatient of dry- ness than deciduous trees ; and this should be borne in mind while trans- planting them. For this reason, experienced planters always choose a wet or misty day for their removal ; and in dry weather we would always re- commend 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 diffi- cult 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 APPENDIX. 413 earth in mid-winter. When skilfully performed, it is the most complete of all the modes, and is so different from the common method, that the objec- tion 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 dis- tance, 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 pre- viously 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 deciduous, may be transplanted in this way, so as scarcely to show, at the return of growth, any ill effects from its change of location. 11. Description of an English Suburban residence, Cheshunt Cottage. With views and plans showing the arrangement of the house and grounds. And the mode of managing the whole [The following description of an interesting suburban residence near London, with the numerous engravings illustrating it, has been kindly fur- nished us for this work by J. C. Loudon, Esq. It was originally published in his "Gardener's Magazine," and affords an admirable illustration 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, Ed- monton, 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 Newington 414 APPENDIX. [Fig. 1. Cheshuiu Cottage, from ihe Road.] Green, called the Green Lanes, between the Tottenham and Edmonton road and the Barnet road, and threading our way through numerous inter- esting 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 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 irregular hedges, numer- ous 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 fami- ly carriage or in a stage-coach ; and it is accordingly only known to pe- destrians, and such as are not afraid of driving their horses over rough roads, or meeting waggons 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 APPENDIX 416 APPENDIX. 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 hand- some trees. Afterwards it passes the celebrated park of Theobalds, near where formerly stood a royal palace, the favourite residence of James L, 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^^ 1. The ground occupied by Mr. Harrison's cottage and gardens is about seven acres, exclusive of two adjoining grass fields. The grounds lie en- tirely on one side of the house, as shown in the plan, fig. 13. in p. 438, 439. 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 inter- est, and to afford many instructive hints to the possessors 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 general de- sign, but furnishing working-drawings of all the details of the interior 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 belonging 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 informs us, and we record it for the use of amateurs commencing, or extending, or improving gardens, that he commenced his operations about thirty years ago, by pur- chasing, at a large nursery sale, large lots of evergreens, not 6 in. high, in beds of one hundred each, such as laurels, Portugal laurels, laurustinuses» bays, hollies, &c. ; with many lots of deciduous 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 improvement and extension. This, with APPENDIX. 417 418 APPENDIX, 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 obtained, or, if obtained, safely transplanted, Irom 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 ])]3.n,Jig. 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 accommo- 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 farmyard, and of the hot-house and frame departments, as exhibited in the plan,_^^. 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 situations 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 ; because the pub- lic road, as will be seen by the plan, Jig. 12, forms a ready medium of com- munication between them, in cases in which the communication through the ornamented ground would be unsightly or inconvenient In arranging the pleasure-ground, the great object, as in all similar cases, was to intro- duce as much variety as could be conveniently done in a comparatively limited space. This has been effected chiefly by distributing oyer the lawn a collection of trees and shrubs ; by forming a small piece of water, and disposing of the earth excavated into hilly inequalities ; and by walks lead- ing 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 420 APPENDIX. the house ; secondly, that of the farm and garden offices and the 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 ^^. 4 is an enlarged plan, consists of: a, The porch, entered from a bridge thrown across the brook, 4, as shown mfig. 4. b b, Passage, from which are seen the stairs to the bedrooms ; and in which, at a, there is a jib-door and a ventilating window, to prevent the possi- bility 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. /, Library, chiefly lighted from the roof, but having one window to the gar- den, and a glass door to the porch, h, also looking into the garden, and from which the view Jig. 5 is obtained. This room is fitted up with 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 paneled wainscoat. The shelves are fitted in front with mahogany double reeds, fixing the cloth which pro- tects the tops of the books, thus giving the appearance of mahogany. g, Museum for specimens of minerals and other curiosities, entered from the porch, h, and lighted from that porch and from a window in the roof. h, Porch leading to the garden from the library and museum. i, Ladies' water-closet, kept warm by the heat from the back of the ser- APPKNDIX. 421 |Fig5- View from the Libiaiy Porch. vants' hall fire ; the back of the fire-place being a cast iron plate, ii, Jib- door, k, Plate-closet. 1, Butler's pantry, lighted from the roof. 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 /, containing a turning-lathe, a carpenters' 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 b. p, 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 b, 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. ?/, Coal-cel- lar, r. Larder, k-. Bottle rack, a;. Safe for cold meat, y. Wash-house. 2, Knife-house. 4-, filtering apparatus. 1, Ash-pit. 2, Coal-house. 422 APPENDIX. 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 gentlemen'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 discover how sev- eral 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 necessarily 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. The following are the details of the farmyard, garden offices, and hot- houses, as exhibited 'mfg, 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 dis- guised 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 recess 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 ap- pearance of this alcove is shown in fig. 7. 2, Ship-room, paved with slate, and with the walls finished in stucco, and ceilintr 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 APPENDIX. 423 summer season ; square-rigged vessels at fixed anchorage, and the fore- and-aft-rigged ones, whose sails traverse, such as schooners, cutters, and coasting vessels, with cables of lengths to allow of their sailino- 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 countries, 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 Orchidacese, and b a cone of rockwork, chiefly of vitrified bricks, for ferns. These ferns, amountipg to above two dozen species, all sprang up accidentally from the soil attached to some plants which were sent to Mr. Harrison from Rio Janeiro and other parts of South America. The shelves round the house are also occupied with Orchidaceae, ail 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 practised by the Duke of Devon- shire 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 6?, 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 jig. 8, in p. 428. 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 APPENDIX. ffif 6 APPENDIX. 426 APPENDIX. wall is covered with different species of Passifl5ra, and with the Tacsb- 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. Paxtoa. 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 cf slabs of slate ; and there is a slate box at e, containing a plant of Musa Cavendishw with a spike of fruit, two or three of which ripen off weekly. F. is a cistern for stove aquat- ics. There is a plant of Brugmanstcs suav6lens {Datura arborea 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 coccmea in this house. Both these plants are in the free soil. 9, House for Cape heaths. APPENDIX. 427 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 carpen- ter, 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 : — " Rules to be observed by all Persons working on these Premises, Master and Men. " 1. 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 ^d. " II. For every heap of sweepings or rakings left at night uncleared, forfeit 3tZ. « III. Every person making use of bad language to any person on these premises shall forfeit, for each and every such offence, ^d. "IV. Every person found drunk on these premises shall forfeit one shilling ; and, if he be in regular employment on the premises, he shall be suspended from his employment one day for every hour he loses through drunkenness. "V. Every person who shall knowingly conceal or screen any person 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. 428 APPENDIX, APPENDIX. 429 "VI. Ail 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 liber- ty to stop his fines from his wages. Further, should any foreman or jour- neyman fail to comply with the above rules and regulations (with a knowl- edge 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, Mushroom-shed, in which the mushrooms are grovioi in Oldacre's mamier. 17, Wood-yard, shaded by three elm trees. 18 18, Calf-pens. 19, Cow-house. 20, Tool-house. 21, Piggeries. 22, 23, 24, Places for fattening poultry, on Mowbray's plan, not, as usual, in coops. Between this and 2.5 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 smal- ler than the other, is used chiefly for milk and meal for the fattening 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 pur- chased 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 430 APPENDIX. subject treated in detail in the Quarterly Jourtvil 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 com- pacted together, within membranes so exquisitely thin and transparent' that their texture is scarcely to be discerned with the most powerful mi- croscope. Each farinaceous particle is, therefore, considered as envelop- ed in a vesicle, which it is necessary to burst, in order to allow the solu- ble or nutritious part to escape. This bursting is effected by boiling, or other modes of cookery ; 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 decomposition produced by fermentation ; and, hence, fer- mented food, like food which has been cooked, is more easily digested than uncooked or unfermented food. Plants are nourished by the ulti- mate 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 dunghill 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 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 necessary 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 occa- sionally 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-bam. 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. APPENDIX. 431 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 brewing, 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 the outer one is put on, and the whole may then be sent to any distance by coach. The dairy is supplied with water from a pump in the scullery ; the water being conveniently distri- buted 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 brewhouse. 54, Cellar. 55, Chicken-yard. 56, Farmer's yard. 57, A gravelled court separating the coach-yard, 59, from the stable-yard, 56. 58, 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 432 APPENDIX. also kept paint pots, oil cans, boxes, baskets, and a variety of other mat- ters. The whole of this shed is kept warm by the heat which escapes from the fire-pJace 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 comfortably warm by the boilers ; being well lighted from the roof ; and having the two windows indicated at 62, before which is the potting-bench. 64, Fire-place to the conservatory and the camellia-house. 65, Place for keeping food for the rabbits and pigeons, with stairs to the pigeon-house, which is placed over it. 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 carmot 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. Cleanli- ness, and frequent change of food, have now, for five years, kept the rab- bits in constant health. It ought never to be forgotten, that attention to APPENDIX. 433 the above rules, in partially drying green succulent vegetables, is essen- tial 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 rab- bit, mentioned in the Encyclopccdia of Agriculture, §73.55, 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. [Fig. 9. View from tlie Chinese Temple.I 67, Coach-house, with stairs to hay-loft. 68, 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 applied 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, car- rots, parsnips, Jerusalem artichokes, beets, and yellow, French, and white turnips, with shelves for onions; and a loft over, which is used as .55 434 APPENDIX. a fruit room. The fruit is kept partly on shelves, and partly on cupboard 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 stair- case 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 window and the grand walk, {fig. 5, in p. 421.) The whole of any mud which may collect in the brook may be wheeled up a plank through this door, with- out 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. 77, Private entrance to the garden, over the rustic bridge shown in 78, Masses of vitrified bricks and blocks of stone, distributed among lavim 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 rockwork. Here the semicircular space surrounded by rock contains a collection of Himalayan rhododendrons, etc., in pots, many of them seedlings 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 American herbaceous plants. In the centre of the circle a handsome tazza vase on a bold pedestal. 81, Two semicircles for dahlias ; the surrounding compartments containing a collection of roses. 82, Garden of florist's flowers. 83 83, Garden of herbaceous plants, chiefly annuals. The walks in all APPENDIX. 435 these gardens are edged with slate. The bed 83t contains a collection of choice standard roses. 84, Dahlias. 85, Double ascent of steps to a mound formed of the earth removed in ex- cavating for the pond. From the platform to which these steps lead , there is a circuitous path to the Chinese temple ; and the steps are or- namented with Chinese vases, thus affording a note of preparation for the Chinese temple. The outer sides of the steps are formed of rock- work, and between the two stairs is a pedestal with Chinese ornaments. 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 Jig. 9, p. 433. 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 structure may be seen in the view Jig. 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 umbrella tent, as shown in the view fig. 11, in p. 436. 92, Dahlias. 436 APPENDIX. wS^r.^'^ I Pig. 11. Grotto, with Umbrella Tent over-: 93, Slip of ground for compost, and various other materials requisite for the garden and farmyard ; communicating with the frame-ground by the door 94, witli the farmyard by the gate 95, and with the farm by the gate 96. 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. 438, 4.39, is a vertical profile of the gardens and pleasure- 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 protecting vegetables during winter. 7, Boundary plantation. 8, Angular brick wall, for the sake of having different aspects for the fruit APPENDIX. 437 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. 12, Covered seat; of which a view is shown in^^o-. 12. In front of this seat there is a mulberry tree of large dimensions, which was transplanted [Fig. 12. Covered Seal, of grotesque and rustic Masoai*y.J by Mr. Harrison when it was upwards of 80 years of age. The instru- ments 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 any causes, or which were not im- mediately wanted, in what he called an hospital for these purposes. 13, A flower-garden, in which for several years a large Araucaria 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 Jig. 14, in p. 441, and of which fg. 15, is an elevation of the back ; showing the mamier in which the barked poles are arranged. 15, Basin of water for aquatics. 438 APPENDIX. [F«. llj APPENDIX. 439 Fig. l^] 440 APPENDIX. 16, Rustic building, of which a view is shown in /;§-. 16. In the interior is an alto-relievo of statuary marble, representing a female over a funeral vase, surrounded by a sort of broad frame of corals, cornua Ammonis, 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 play- ing at what is called lawn billiards, which is said to be a game interme- diate between bowls and common billiards. This game is little 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 k, is the boat-house seen in fig. 17, in p. 444. 21, Descending steps through evergreens ; from which is seen the distant view of the house and the tent, as in Jig. 10, in p. 435. 22, Dahlia plantation. 23, Chinese temple, from the interior of which is obtained the view shown mjig. 9, in p. 433. Behind the temple, a little to one side, is the grotto shown at 91 in the plan, fig. 6, in p. 424, 425 ; and also in the view, fig. 11, in p. 436. 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. 424, 425. 26, The hot-houses, pits, frames, farm-buildings, &c., shown fig. 6. 27, Grass fields, forming part of the farm. 28, Point from which the view of the hot-houses, fig. 8, in p. 428, is taken ; and also, turning round, the view of the house, fig. 18, in p. 447. 29, Secret entrance to the grounds. 30, Principal entrance to the house. 31, Entrance to the stable-court and farmyard. APPENDIX. 441 [Fig. 14. Rustic cohered Seat, of Woodwork. J Remarks. — In pointing out the principal sources of the professional in- struction which a young gardener may derive from examining this place, we shall first direct attention to the garden structures. These, whether of I Pig. 15. Elevation of the Biclt.] the ornamental or useful kind, are executed substantially, and with great care and neatness ; while the farm buildings, being chiefly of wood, show how great an extent of accommodation may be obtained without regularity 56 442 APPENDIX. of plan, and without incurring touch expense. A good exercise for the young designer would be, to distribute the same accommodation, properly classed, along the sides of a square or squares, or along the sides of a par- allelogram 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 [Fig. 16. Hermil'i Seal, and Clastical Vine.) 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 ju- dicious use of the Penryhn slate ; paths, edgings, shelves, cisterns, boxes for plants, copings, kerbs, partitions, and substitutes for dwarf walls, being all made of it The order and neatness with which all the different tools, utensils, &c., are kept in the horticultural and farm buildings, are most exemplary, and greatly facilitate the despatch of business. APPENDIX. 443 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 partic- ular 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. 424, 425,) so that the temperature admits of its fermenting in winter, as well as in summer : 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 waters with this liquid are chiefly those of rapid growth, such as the Dat iira, Erugmansio!, 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 want vigour ; but has not yet had sufficient experience of its efiects, to give a list o f 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 carefully collected, and fermented by the addition of fresh stable dung ; and heaps of difierent kinds of soils, procured from different parts of the country, are con- stantly 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, 444 APPENDIX. 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 spike 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 distrib- uting 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. ani Agave Mount.] 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. APPENDIX. 445 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 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 irreg- ular groups of trees, with masses of evergreen and deciduous shrubs as un- dergrowth, intersected by glades of turf. They are scattered over the gen- eral 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 groimds to the other, and thus as- certain their extent. The only points at which the lawn is seen directly across from the drawing-room window are in the direction of / and m,Jlg. 13, inp. 438, 439; but, through these openings, 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 interrupted 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. 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 landscape, 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 specta- tor looking directly across. Indeed, in scenery, no rule is generally more applicable than this, viz. that all straight lines, whether fences, roads, ca- nals, or rivers, and all regular symmetrical objects, such as buildings, should be looked at obliquely. Applying this rule, therefore, to the scene- 446 APPENDIX. ry between the walk and the fence, from 18 to 16, we should say that either the direction of the walk ought to be altered, so as to remove it further from the boundary, or the boundary extended further into the field ; and instead of being bordered by a hedge-like fruige of shrubs, it should only be broken here and there by occasional 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 con- tinuing the walk which commences at d near 19, by n and o o, to ^ 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 ornamental plants, we should still prefer changing the di- rection of the walk, so as to take away from the monotonous appearance of continually skirting 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 everything. We make these observations with great de- ference 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 architecture. It is, however, right to state that Mr. Harrison accords with our general view of the subject, but " defends the walk in question as an exception founded on his objects in making it ; which were, 1st, to have a walk dif- ferent from any other in the garden ; and, 2d, a walk sheltered from the winter southerly gales, and ornamented by the bloom of the laurustinus 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 finish- ed, 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 exclu- ded 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 larustinuses 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 irregularly, at intervals, in the field near the fence, in a great measure, Mr. Harrison thinks, obviate the objection made, or, at least' APPENDIX. 44r [Fig. 18. Garden From of Cliesbunl Collage. 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 mass to which it belongs, and considered by itself alone, shall be a handsome plant. At the same time, in order to produce as much variety as possible, the pic- turesque style of planting, in which trees and shrubs are so closely group- ed together as partially to injure each other's growth, occasionally occurs, for the sake of producing variety. With the exception 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 Populus 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 macro- phyllum, for its large leaves ; the Montpelier maple, for its small ones ; the Negundo /raxinifdlium, for its green-barked shoots ; the American oaks, for the singular variety in form and colour of their foliage ; the catal- 448 APPENDIX. pa, for its broad rich yellowish leaves, and its showy blossoms, which ap. pear late in the season ; the deciduous cypress ; the bonduc, or Kentucky coffee tree ; the cut-leaved alder ; the tulip tree ; the purple beech ; the purple hazel ; the Oriental plane, of which there are several fine speci- mens ; 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 rhododendrons ; the heaths ; the brooms ; and the double-blossomed furze ; besides various striking or popular plants, such as the variegated holhes, the scarlet arbu- tus, 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 no- ticeable for something in its foliage, general form, flowers, or fruit. The Magn5lia grandifldra var. exoniensis 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 brasiliensis, which had stood out eight years, A. CunninghJimii, Pinus insignis, P. palustris, P. Gerardifina, P. canariensis* etc. were killed during the winter of 1837-8 ; 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 showed the extent of the injury that they had received. After waiting till the middle of summer, it was found that the laurustinus, 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 different direc- tions, 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 pro- prietor chiefly resides here. It is always desirable, in a small place, that all APPENDIX. 449 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 distance. These rules (derived from the prin- ciple of variety and intricacy) have been carefully attended to by Mr. Har- rison ; and hence the walk from a to b, in the plan^g-. 13, in p. 438, 439' is concealed by raising the turf on the side next the house higher than on the opposite side ; while that from c to tZ is concealed by the bushes and trees at c, and more especially by a large rhododendron at ee. The walk f g his 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 which are scattered along its margin. At^, there is a clump which prevents any one on the walk i from seeing the line gf; and any one on the walk gf from seeing the line i. In walking along from /to h, 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, therefore, 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 number of walks of this sort, and lead the spectator over them without showing him more than one walk at a time, but taking care, at the same time, to let him have fre- quent and extensive views across the lawn, and these views always different, 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 evidence 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 disa- greeable. The freshiy pared turf becomes a spot or a scar in the scene, withdrawing the attention from the walk itself, and from the adjoining grounds, to a point, or rather a line, which is in itself of little consequencej 57 450 fFig. 19. View across the Water, looking towards the House., but which, by the paring, is obtruded on the eye, so as to destroy all allu- sion 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 immova- ble, 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 unsatisfactory 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 APPENDIX. 451 part of the pond can be seen. The pond is 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 is 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 perpendicular ; while on the other it is sloping, and partly covered with shrubs. At k vafig. 13, in p. 439, 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 rockwork, as to create an allusion to the appearance of these plants in their native habitats. The appearance of these agaves, and also of a large crassula, is indicated in a view of the boat-house, fig. 17, in p. 444 ; 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 va- riety in the inclination, as well as in the direction, of the walks. The banks are planted on the same principle as the open lawn ; that is, with trees and shrubs having striking foliage or showy flowers, and with a judicious mix- ture of evergreens to give the effect of cheerfulness in winter. In the water are two large plants of Calla sethiopica 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. 417, 433, 435, 444. The Flower-Garden (2.5, in fig. 13, in p. 438, 439,) 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 ren- dering the flowers accessible to ladies immediately after rain, when they are often in their greatest beauty, and, at all events, in their greatest fresh- ness 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 withwoSes, dahlias, and other large-growing plants in masses, the beauties of which do not require to be closely examined. ERRATA. In page 105, line 17, for " Bchianla," reai " schianta." «' " " line 18, Jot " cite," rtai " vite." " " 108, last line,/»r "Lander," rtaA " Lauder." " " 1522, line 26, for " unwaming," rtaA " unwarming." " " 255, line 8, /or "cultivated," re