Hints for Laying out Suburban Villa Grounds, 

 and Notes on the most Suitable Trees and 

 Shrubs. 



Holding as I do that no suburban residence, say with an acre or even 

 less of pleasure-ground around it, can be considered complete without 

 several of the rarer Conifcrcc for its embellishment, if not for shelter^ 

 I willingly offer my views as to the varieties to be planted, their 

 arrangement and mode of treatment, in order to produce what I con- 

 ceive to be the best results for effect as well as for shelter, the latter 

 being an object never to be overlooked where there is no outside 

 screen save a boundary wall. 



But first let me premise as to the form of the ground proposed to 

 be laid out. Suppose, then, a villa residence, embracing with its sur- 

 roundings about an acre of ground, either square or in the form of a 

 parallelogram, surrounded by stone walls seven feet high, which 

 it is not thought desirable should be clothed with fruit-trees, 

 which would not only be out of place, but would frequently be a 

 source of annoyance arising from the necessity of protecting the 

 fruit ; and suppose that the mansion with its small court of offices 

 (consisting probably of stable, coach-house, coal-house, wash-house, 

 and wine-cellar, forming an enclosed square), is set down in the 

 centre, the carriage way will enter at one extremity, or at both 

 extremities, where there may be lodges if the extent of ground 

 admits. Then first, if it is wished to have two gates, bring up the 

 carriage way by a serpentine curve towards the main door of the 

 mansion, and continue it on by a like curve to the other gate, where 

 there may be another lodge, and the two lodges would thus be avail- 

 able for the accommodation of both a gardener and a groom. If, how- 

 ever, only one gate for entrance is desired, then the roadway may be 

 carried by a curve to the main door, thence back, sweeping round a 

 centre plot in front, which, verged with grass and planted with roses, 

 is very effective. The next operation is to lay out the gravel walks ; 

 these should be five feet wide, the carriage-way being ten feet. In 

 laying these down the owner may consult his own taste ; 

 but it may be suggested that, unless where conservatories or vineries 

 compel the use of them, straight lines should be avoided. Let the 

 main surrounding walk follow a serpentine sweep, cutting off the four 



