Chapter 1 - Landscape Gardening And Home Decoration Compared

Advantages of home ornamentation.
Natural vs.
The artificial system.

The term "landscape gardening" properly is applied in the more extended meaning of the words to that larger work of making and decorating extensive estates, parks, etc., where distant views (landscapes) may be obtained within their limits and by the work of the gardener or landscape artist.

Very little of this kind of work can be done in this country because of the small areas owned by most of our people, and the term "home decoration" or "home landscape gardening" will more properly apply to most of the work done among us in this line. Yet when we consider that outside the limits of cities and large towns there are large and extended views which even the owner of the smallest estate may take in or shut out at will in the arrangement of his own decorative trees and shrubs, the work of home decoration becomes in a true sense landscape gardening.

We can and do to a greater or less extent include the whole landscape in the decoration of all home grounds if we wish to obtain the best results. There is hardly a country or suburban home so shut in as not to afford some scope for the appropriation of outside vistas of beauty beyond its limits, and in many cases views for miles around may be found and improved or toned down or heightened by careful treatment in our own planting; and in more closely planted districts, by mutual understanding and cooperation, the real art of landscape gardening may have as broad scope as in the park and large estate.

Knowledge of Materials

Before considering so large a subject in detail, the necessity must be urged upon the reader of becoming thoroughly familiar with the materials to be used—i.e., the ornamental trees, shrubs, plants, grass, rock, etc. —for until this knowledge is obtained it will be a very difficult matter to begin the work understanding^ or to carry it out to successful results.

In Chapter X will be found a full description of all the most beautiful trees, shrubs, and plants, their most appropriate use, the soil best suited to their growth, the special treatment they each require, and in Chapter XV the diseases and insect pests they are subject to, with remedies for the same. Frequent reference will be made to these chapters, and for a full understanding of each case it will be advisable to give these references full consideration.

A Plan.

Before any one, skilled or unskilled, begins to decorate a place, no matter how small, he must have some plan for the work, and the more complete and fully matured that plan the better.

Many individuals who have a special lore for the beautiful in nature, who are familiar with a large number of the most beautiful trees, shrubs, etc., and have studied the effects of their varying forms, size, and colors, and who are about to build a home, are qualified to make a satisfactory plan for themselves, and a large amount of pleasure may be the result of this work.

This study of art and nature is one of the best kinds of training of the perceptive faculties. Nothing can better train the eye and thoughts to see and love the beautiful than this work, and it has a most refining and elevating effect upon those who thus spend their leisure hours.

If proper time is given to the subject, and the advice of those who have had some experience is sought, there need be no difficulty in making a good working plan by the amateur. The father and the mother should both be interested and plan together, and the children too should have a voice in the matter, for there is nothing that holds them to the old home as the trees and plants they have planted or helped to plant and care for.

When cost is not an item of consideration, a complete plan made by a skilled landscape gardener who is willing to incorporate, as far as possible, the particular species of trees and plants and other features desired by the owner, will give the most satisfaction; but the value of the study and training to the individual is lost; therefore I would advise every home-builder to make a great effort to learn what are the best decorative trees, shrubs, and plants for home planting, and how best to succeed in growing them to the greatest perfection.

Some failures will be made, but success will at last crown our efforts, and the things we have planted, the walks and drives we have located, and the other objects of beauty we have created about our homes will he ours in a sense that they cannot be if we build after the plan of others, and a most precious source of joy and comfort in declining years.

The Natural versus the Artificial System.

In earlier times and in other countries much of the work in landscape or ornamental gardening was, done in what is known as the geometrical or artificial system, where the work was largely laid out in squares, circles, or other geometrical figures; the changes in grade were largely obtained by steep terraces, the trees and shrubs trained to regular and often grotesque forms. In our own country the natural system is more largely used, and more and more in Europe it is coming into use, where all the work is done so as to represent the best and most beautiful in nature. By this system the walks and drives are laid out in graceful curves, the changes in grade made by graceful slopes and rounded surfaces, and the trees and shrubs are encouraged to take the most perfect natural forms, while they are so grouped as to give the greatest variety of natural beauty.

Under some conditions, as in squares or city lots, close up to large, tall buildings, with paved roads and sidewalks, on steep hillsides and abrupt slopes, or where the terrace or retaining wall is u "necessity, the artificial system may not be objectionable, but in the country, with so much of freedom of thought and action, and so full of natural growth and beauty, the artificial style is not in good taste and should generally be avoided.
 
The house and surrounding buildings, walks, drives, fences, etc., must of necessity be artificial, but even these may be toned down in their architecture and coloring so as to blend and harmonize with the natural ornamental features about them.

New Homes and Homes Already Established.

In considering the subject of home decoration it becomes necessary to discuss it under two heads: 1st. New homes where, nothing has been done toward outside decoration; 3d.  Homes already established.

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