The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Art Of Landscape Architecture

The bridge on the estate of Muskau as shown in the illustration is attractive because it spans a brawling stream and because it is simple and unassuming, but the stones of which it is constructed are too small and the entrance to the footway is bare of foliage.

Another fault to be found with this admirable method of bridge building, is that there is little or no moss, or sedums which would take the place of moss, to be seen.

There are other illustrations of the proper use of rocks in landscape architecture which are shown in some of the views of the chapters of this book. They have been taken from sketches, made by A. F. Bellows fifty years ago, of Central Park, New York, in the early state of its development. It is not easy to find examples of rock work anywhere equal to those in Central Park. Unfortunately the study of these examples does not seem to have commended itself to many people, for there is little evidence to be seen on country places of endeavour to excel in this branch of landscape architecture.

Grading And Shaping Grounds

ON meadows as a rule, here and there, the little ups and downs must be levelled, for practical purposes as well as appearance: but larger undulations of the terrain must by no means be unnecessarily disturbed. But if nevertheless it is desirable for other reasons to remove and level any considerable height, and any fine trees happen to be standing there which should not be removed, then I advise leaving them standing on single small hillocks, which gives the meadow still more variety, for which reason I have often deliberately planted in this way and with good results.

"Although in general a certain undulation of the terrain is advisable at times, an excellent effect is brought about by making the bottoms of little valleys, having steep surroundings, quite level. We often find such formations in nature which charm us by the contrast."

It is remarkable to find these wise reflections recorded nearly a century ago. The feeling for nature is strongly evident, and the whole tendency of the views expressed is to confirm the fundamental ideas which I propose to discuss for the grading and shaping the earth surface for landscape gardening.