(775.) The most homogeneous screens, that is to say, those which are formed of a single species of plant, are preferable to all others for the object they are intended to fulfil; and if we would avoid the monotony resulting from the sight of a single species, we must have recourse to another which offers varieties. For example, a screen composed of violet and white lilacs will possess at the same time the advantage of homogeneity for concealing what is behind it, and the advantage of variety of foliage; for, as is well known, the violet lilac has darker leaves, or a green less yellow than those of the white lilac. We may alternate one or more plants of violet lilac with a plant of white lilac. (776.) It is difficult to give with exactness the distance which should separate the plants intended to form a screen, because there is a relation, which must be observed, between the height of the object we seek to conceal, and the height to which the plant will grow. Thus, when the height of the object is small, we can make the distance between each plant less than when the height is greater. In a word, we must attain the double aim of having a screen sufficiently elevated, and sufficiently covered with leaves from the ground. Some plants, susceptible of high growth, lilacs, for example, if planted too near, injure one another, and, planted too far asunder, they increase in height too much, and lose their lower foliage. (777.) If we do not wish to make a hedge, we can observe the following distances: Between two thujas (Thuja occidentalis), from two to three feet. Between two lilacs, from four to five feet. Between two privets, three feet. ARTICLE 2. Of Lines of Plants considered as ELEMENTS of Masses. (778.) From the manner in which I have considered a line of plants as the element of a mass, there follow, in my opinion, two conditions, which I regard as absolute, and a third, which, without possessing this character, ought generally to be taken into consideration in the planting of a mass. 1st. Condition (absolute). If the plants in the same line are not of the same species, it is essential that they do not differ too much from each other in respect to height. 2nd. Condition (absolute). In the case where a line happens to be entirely seen, the same species must be placed alternately. 3rd. Condition (not absolute but general). We must avoid placing the same species in two neighbouring lines, when we would employ varied masses which are only composed of several lines. (779.) RULE.-When we plant two lines of vegetation to constitute a mass, in planting the first or exterior line we must follow the rule indicated above (771.), then proceed with the planting of the second line in the same manner as with the first, except that the stakes indicating the centre of vegetation must be placed chequer-wise relatively to the centre of vegetation of the first line. (780.) I will cite an example of a plantation of two lines intended to conceal a wall. The distance between the clumps of the first line is four to five feet. (781.) We may plant the first line in screen, and the second with trees larger than in the first; we may also plant the second line with roots of Prunus mahaleb, comprehending between two roots three or five clumps of the same species. CHAPTER II. OF HOMOGENEOUS MASSES. (782.) THE homogeneous mass includes only a single species of plant; because the intention of the gardener in forming it being to produce an effect of individuality, nothing is more suitable for this object than a collection of identical things. (783.) In the large French garden designed by Lenôtre, where the trees combine so effectually with the elements established by the architect to prolong, so to speak, a similar work, the symmetrical plantations are identical, and generally composed of trees of a single species. (784.) If, in a large composition, homogeneous masses of trees have a good effect, it is not so with those which are composed of a single species or of a single variety of flower. They almost always present a monotonous aspect, especially if these latter have à definite extent; and if the species of plant of which they are composed is in flower only a part of the year, the defect of monotony will be found greatly increased. (785.) Homogeneous masses of shrubs or of flowers are only suitable when they are in leaf or in flower during a great portion of the year, as their extent is small, and they serve simply as a bond of union between different parts more or less distant from each other. CHAPTER III. OF HETEROGENEOUS OR VARIED MASSES. (786.) IN order to fully understand what I have said of masses of this kind, I shall distinguish two cases; one where it is a heterogeneous or varied mass, isolated, intended to serve as an individual composed of distinct parts,—and the other where it consists of many varied masses, allied together, and separated by paths, at least in some parts. 1. ISOLATED HETEROGENEOUS OR VARIED MASS. (787.) This mass may be composed of lines, each of which may contain only a single species of plants, or it may consist of several. (788.) If each line consists of only a single species, we must arrange them, from the first to the centre, according to their size: for example, we should put In the 1st Line, Violet lilacs; 2nd Line, Laburnum; This mass is only preferable to the following in the case where it is isolated and intended to be seen without obstacle on all sides. (789.) If each line contains many species, we must always observe the rule of placing the smallest in the front line. Each line should be planted as I have suggested above (771.). § 2. HETEROGENEOUS OR VARIED MASSES SUBORDINATED TO EACH OTHER. ARTICLE 1. General Considerations. (790.) Heterogeneous or varied masses placed together so as to form a whole, are generally separated from each other, 1o. by paths, 2°. by glades, or unplanted intervals, but cultivated or sown in grass. To thoroughly understand what follows, I must point out the essential difference that exists between landscape gardening and French gardening (geometrical). (791.) French gardening is regular and symmetrical: the paths are straight, and the eye is only impressed by objects slightly varied; for when there are squares, or straight borders, symmetry necessarily requires that the objects on one side be repeated on the other. The result is, that when the spectator has visited the principal points of this composition, which are never very numerous, he has seen everything it is susceptible of offering to his curiosity. (792.) I shall not say, with some writers, that landscape gardening is conceived according to the principle of irregularity, or after a method diametrically opposed to that which governs the design of a French garden; but I shall say it is conceived with an entirely different aim. The spectator who surveys a landscape garden should be excited, so to speak, at every step by the sight of various objects. The different points of view must then be as numerous as possible; the paths must always be traced in such manner that from no point can we discover their whole extent. The plantations must be disposed so as to conceal the walls, the fences, and other disagreeable or ill-placed objects. They must allow the eye the greatest possible scope at all the points the gardener wishes displayed; on the other hand, the views must vary with the different points successively observed by the spectator in his promenade. (793.) To attain this aim, it is evident that there must be no straight paths, but only curved ones; because, in fact, it is only in the latter that those who walk in them will be unable to see their entire length from any one spot, when all these paths pass between the masses; the intervals between these masses must also permit of our perceiving an ensemble of objects, more or less agreeable, which must form planes skilfully prolonging the perspective as far as possible. The masses, each presenting variety, must nevertheless be allied together so that the plantations of the one may harmonise with those of neighbouring masses, as dependent parts of the same whole. |