Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/879

 1869.] Landscape, Decorative ' and Economic Gardening. 711 LANDSCAPE, DECORATIVE, AND ECONOMIC GARDENING. No. 6. THE NECESSITY AND UTILITY OP PLANS. THE locality and position having been selected, the next progressive step is to have prepai'ed a well-defined working-plan of the entire improve- ments. This is equally indispensable, whether the place be large or small, in- deed, if the absence of a plan, in either case, admits of palliation, it is in the case of the former ; because, when all the parts are limited, and contracted as to scale, it is the more difficult to create and preserve distinct expressions, and economize, so to speak, every foot of the design. To strike out the outlines of an arrangement, for the various ac- companiments and conveniences of a country residence, requires a mind not only thoroughly imbued with the prin- ciples of taste, but also conversant with the applications of art to the develop- ment of beauty. The subject allows, in all its varied details, the exercise of the most cultivated insight; and demands practical acquirements that can only be obtained by long study and experience. Yet it is notorious, that most people consider themselves qualified to lay out their own grounds. They may not have given the matter much thought, but whatever they have given it, has ena- bled them to arrive at the conclusion, that they will want but little, in the way of improvements, and that little they can accomplish themselves. In house-building, although they will un- doubtedly have certain peculiarities of arrangement, that they wish to secure, 3 r et few persons are so blind to their own interests, as not to submit the whole to the discretionary approval and supervision of a competent architect. Admitting, that every one knows best, what will meet his ideas of comfort and convenience, in the abstract, there are but few who can carry them into execu- tion ; or satisfactorily introduce and fit all the disjointed parts, so as to pro- duce a complete and perfect whole. A little well-directed observation of rural improvements, will afford convinc- ing proof of the truth of these remarks. In suburban districts, especially, we are constantly reminded, that the ma- jority of those, who undertake the im- provement of their own grounds, spend a great amount of money, in leveling, grading, building terraces and making roads ; doing and undoing, without any permanently useful result. Laborers are engaged ; and much demonstration of energetic toil and zealous persever- ance, is continued, until the fact be- comes apparent, that all changes are not improvements; and that, of all operations, the most expensive and least satisfactory is that of promiscu- ously removing and replacing soil. So the work is either abandoned, in dis- gust, or they conclude to do, what they ought to have done at first, consult with some competent landscape-gardener; and get him to prepare a proper work- ing plan. I am well aware, that it is a custom with those who wish to be considered amateurs in this line, and busy them- selves in advising their neighbors in regard to building and planting, to decry all necessity for plans, and sneer at them, as being beneath the dignity of an artist. Even some professionals, who have not the ability to foresee the rationale of their operations, pride them- selves upon their incompetency, con- sidering it a proof of superior skill, that they "can carry their plans in their heads." I have frequently been brought in contact with individuals of this class, with a view to getting an explanation of their ultimate intentions ; but, almost