A dictionary of modern gardening - University Library

LAN 338 LAN
,
considered
scrupulous
dreth in the contemplation of his floral
family. A beautiful plant, a noble
an extensive business. A tree, or a landscape decorated by the
regard to wliat was due to hands of nature or of man, were to him
others secured respect and moderate objects of the purest pleasure. After
competency. an active and well-spent life, and with
To the brothers Landreth, Philadel-'an enviable reputation, he died on the
phia is, in a degree, indebted for the
early development of horticultural taste,
and in the ficilities which they aiforded
22d August, 1836, aged 84.
LANDSCAPF: GARDENING, as if3_
name intimates, is the composition of
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and their united efforts enabled them
successfully to conduct what was then
for its gratification the whole Union has beautiful scenery, so that all artifice is
participated. Their productions, orna- concealed by the blending of trees,
mental and useful, have been distributed shrubs, ground, and water: thus form-
far and wide. Specimens of fruits and
flowers from their grounds exist in almost
every town and hamlet in the
country. The earliest collection of Camellias
in America was made by them,
and their importations of valuable plants
ing vistas gratifying as those which
occur naturally. Admiration for such
scenery is an innate quality of the human
mind ; and successfully to imitate
such scenery requires judgment as well
as taste. It is not possible, without an
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and fruits were extensive. Their col- enormous outlay, to introduce any spelection
of indigenous plants, obtained cies of landscape beauty upon a given
through the agency and friendship of plot of ground. There is the beauty
traveling collectors, and local corre- of the level surface, quite unattainable
bpondents, was, perhaps, the largest of upon a surface which is abrupt and broils
day, if we except the magnificent ken. The beauty of the clay districts
one of the Bartram Botanic Garden. is not to he secured upon those of the
How vast have been the enlargement chalk; neither on light uplands can be
of horticultural taste, and the means of; arranged' the dense beauties of wellgratifying
it since Mr. Landreth first watered alluvions. " Consult the genius
embarked in his floral enterprise! Then of the place" is an axiom which has
a green-house, or, as it was popularly been derided, but which is dictated by
termed, a "glass-house," was an ob- the soundest sense,
ject of amazement, and a simple rose, A writer upon the general principles
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exhibited in a window budding and of landscape gardening has some very
blooming " out of season," attracted a jjudicious remarks, from which the folwondering
crowd. Now a residence in lowing are extracts
town or country is scarcely considered Although due light and shade are
perfect which does not embrace at least necessary to bring out striking effects,
a room prepared for the preservation of colour must be attended to. Light and
plants ; and the thousands who throng shade, we all know, when the sun
the exhibitions of our Horticultural So- shines, vary every moment; and ther^ciety
evince the extent of interest on fore it becomes a study so to assort
the subject.
objects, within range of the principal
The temperate and regular habits of
Mr. Landreth promoted health, and
point of view, as to bring out various
good effects. Not only must we regard
protracted life beyond the ordinary
term. In manners he was plain and
unobtrusive; his temperament ardent,
actively sympathizing with the alHicted,
or warming with indignation at oppres
sion. His fondness for plants increased
the diurnal motion of the sun, but his
position in the ecliptic; so that when
he is at various elevations and positions,
light may make the lights and
hadows spread out where they may
make the strongest impression on the
with age, and, though their culture eye.
was the source of his support, he loved " This is a point not much attended
them for themselves alone. " Trade to, but one of^ the greatest value, and
was, with him, an adjunct to the grat well deserving the closest study by the
fication of a refined enjoyment. Never landscape-gardener. Frequently the addid
painter look upon his canvas, in glo- mission, at a particular spot, of a mere
nous enthusiasm for his art, with an eye streak of light eidivens a whole scene,
more abstracted from the lucre which and excites the highest admiration. Sun-
shine through trees, when the orb itself
his pencil brought, than did David Lau- |