HAVING in the preceding pages laid down such rules, and given such descriptions and explanations of the components of a beautiful Landscape, as will, we trust, be understood by the general reader, as well as aid the uninstructed in forming a correct judgment in matters appertaining to Gardening, we now proceed to give some instructions regarding the PRACTICAL OPERATIONS connected with the art.

A professional Landscape Gardener must necessarily possess a thorough knowledge of the art of Drawing, and a familiarity with the operations of Surveying, beside being entirely at home in the

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Practical details of Gardening. The Amateur will find in the following pages, such hints and instructions on the various Practical Operations of Gardening, as will, we hope, not only lighten his own labors, but enable him to economize both time and money, in the laying out and keeping of his grounds.

As the manual labor is performed by common day-laborers, who have no ideas of beauty or grace in lines and forms, it will be found necessary, in all cases, to lay out their work for them plainly, and watch them closely; without this they will not fail to obstruct, rather than aid the amateur, by their obstinate misunderstanding of a tasteful plan.

The faculty of foreseeing the effect certain alterations or improvements will have upon the appearance of the whole, is that which tends most toward

economizing labor and expense. This faculty is, however, necessarily the result only of long experience in the adaptation of various shapes and colors to various forms of ground, and different scenes. Without the ability to foretell with certainty, the effect of his work, the gardener would

be obliged to work on at random, and his art would consist of but a series of expensive and tiresome experiments, and tedious alterations. To prevent this, it is always necessary to engage a competent gardener to lay out a Plan for the proposed improvement. Let the proprietor closely consider this plan, have it modified by the gardener in any particular, when it conflicts with his direct wishesthe latter being then able to show him where his wishes would come in conflict with the harmony or tastefulness of the whole design; and then, when finally the plan is fully settled upon, men may be set to work to execute its details, without the after necessity of changes or alterations, involving loss of time and money, and creating vexation and disgust.

All that is done should be done in the best manner, else will the improvement, however costly or elegant in design, be sure to disappoint the hopes of the proprietor. Slight errors, in the execution of a Plan, have a serious effect upon the appearance of the grounds. Lines which should be parallel, and are not, faults in the level, etc., etc., while oftentimes themselves unperceived by the

general observer, never fail to give out an unpleasant impression of the whole improvement.

The gardener or improver must be careful to make his works join harmoniously with those of nature. He must recollect that no work is tasteful, unless in keeping with the shape and general conformation of the ground, and harmonious in all its parts. All defective forms of natural forest growth, as straight lines, formed by former fences, must be restored to beauty by breaking their outline boldly, thus showing the beauties of individual trees, or, when necessary to create greater distinctness of outline, new plantations may be added, in places, to conceal the bare stems of trees, and to give greater depth and impressiveness of appearance. Groves are much improved by proper and careful thinning out, by which means, clear spots of lawn are created in the midst of groups of trees. Where it is desirable to obtain Views to the outside, thinning out of branches, and topping are often found sufficient. Where this will not answer, solid woods may be broken through, care being taken to give to the break a natural freedom of shape. Thinning out must be carefully, and not too hastily

performed. Trees which have grown up in the midst of a dense group, protected then by others, from cold and high winds, are unfit to withstand, singly and at once, the fierce blasts of winter. The change should, therefore, be brought about gradually. Trees which it is desired to remove, should, in all cases, be taken up roots and all, as nothing looks so unsightly and tasteless, as a landscape clogged up with stumps. Improvements with the ax, such as those spoken of above, will be found to succeed best when the woods are in

full foliage.