THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 135 



which, the scale shows, is only seventy-two feet in length. The 

 principal feature, therefore, is the central lawn of bright green 

 spergula in three levels, on each level a centre bed. 



Another distinct element of colour is afforded by the walks, 

 which, instead of being formed of gravel, are laid with Minton's tiles, 

 in deep red, buff, and black. Where the levels change, there are 

 shallow^ stone steps. The result of this arrangement is a sharp, 

 bright, formal, but rich and pleasing boundary, most appropriate to 

 the general plan, indeed, essential, for gravel would have been too 

 commonplace for so novel a scheme. The furniture of the garden is 

 a matter of less importance, except that it should be said some noble 

 yuccas, placed in pairs on either side of the lawn, add to its distinctive 

 features and appearance of finished and artistic richness. Por the 

 rest, there are shrubs, trees, and flowers in plenty ; and to describe 

 them in detail would be to enter into the subject of town gardening 

 generally, which is not our object now. The main features may have 

 an interest for many of our readers, and we trust that our brief 

 description of them will be found sufficient. 



The other portion of the garden is occupied with beds of tulips 

 and other florists' flowers, plantations of raspberries, a few auricula 

 frames, a small pit for preserving bedding-plants, a useful green- 

 house, and some other things of minor importance. But amongst 

 the minor matters, it is worthy of remark that in one of the borders 

 is a nearly complete collection of sweet herbs, so that, at a moment's 

 notice, the house can be supplied w4th a tuft of fresh thyme or mar- 

 joram, a bunch of mint or parsley, etc., etc. In how few small 

 gardens are such useful things attended to ; yet how simple a matter 

 to have always close at hand nearlj everything of the kind com- 

 monly in use ; and the more necessary, because the want of such 

 things cannot be always foreseen greatly in advance. We do not 

 expect for a long time to meet with a small garden which, by its 

 distinct and peculiar beauty, shall afford us so much pleasure as 

 we have derived from an inspection of Mr. Hay's. S. H. 



THE HERB GAEDEN. 



T may sometimes strike a reader of horticultural periodi- 

 cals that the most interesting subjects have been used 

 up, and there is nothing left for writers but to repeat 

 themselves, or take up useless themes. But here is one 

 on which almost nothing has been written. Scarcely 

 anywhere amongst books on gardening shall we find information on 

 those useful subjects, mint, parsley, thyme, sage, and the rest of the 

 things that may be collectively termed " Kitchen Herbs." It is 

 the rule in families generally to purchase these things, or at least 

 some of them, in the summer, and they are hung up in bunches to 

 dry, to be always ready for use. It is, however, far preferable to 

 have in the garden, and near at hand, a little of everything in this 



