DECEMBER. 371 



surmounted by vases were placed upon the turf, at foot of slope, on the 

 other side. A line from the centre of doorway at right angles with the 

 house formed the working centre of the design, and gave the position in 

 this direction, for the points marked on the plan by the numbers 4, 

 and 13 ; similar lines from the centres of windows gave the positions 

 in the same direction for the point marked 3. By subdividing the 

 distances between the vases, the transverse position was obtained 

 for these points, as also for those marked 1 and 2 ; the longitudinal 

 position of which governed, and was governed by, the boundary lines 

 of the beds on either side. The rest of the arrangement worked 

 out naturally from these points, and is so obvious on the plan, as to 

 require no further explanation. I would draw attention however to 

 one important matter which should be regarded in all similar cases ; 

 namely, the avoidance of sharp narrow points to the beds. Tliis is 

 often disregarded in designs which look very well on paper, but sorely 

 perplex gardeners in the subsequent planting and keeping ; in that it 

 is practically impossible to make the plants fill the beds, in such 

 intricate recesses, so as to produce that fulness and compactness which 

 constitutes, next to good arrangement of colour and habit, the most 

 important feature in this kind of gardening. 



The shrubs recommended for the leading points were as follow : — 



1. Irish Juniper. I 3. Golden Yew. 



2. Irish Yew. | 4. Golden Arbor-vitas. 



Nos. 1, 3, and 4 are amongst the kinds of plants best adapted, 

 but little known, and seldom used for such purposes ; they are 

 however very ornamental in appearance, and symmetrical in habit. 



The seat in the centre of distant boundary, with its accompanying 

 vases standing against the shrubs, formed a natural and appropriate 

 finish to that end of the parterre. 



For the rest of the plan, the old wall on the lefl hand was pronounced 

 a good place for ornamental plants requiring such support ; and over the 

 walk was suggested a light Rose arcade, to give somewhat of shade to 

 it, relieve the unbroken surface of wall, and create a position near the 

 house for these deservedly favourite plants. 



The border between the wall and arcade was to be devoted to that 

 class of plants usually denominated herbaceous. In too many cases 

 these have been banished from the parterre, where their irregular 

 habits of growth and seasons of flowering render them unsuitable ; but 

 they include many very beautiful, though old fashioned flowers, and a 

 convenient place should be allotted to them in every garden. The 

 introduction of piers at intervals, as shown, is an improvement often 

 advised in old walls, and one which may be made at a trifling expense. 



Irish Ivy was proposed as an edging to this border ; this is easily 

 kept in order by occasional pruning, and is much more ornamental for 

 a bold margin than Box, which in such cases looks rather kitchen- 

 garden like. 



The manner in which the sloping gravel connections are managed 

 between the arcade walk and the terrace on lower level, is often useful 

 when stone steps are inadvisable, as was the case in this instance, 

 where it was important that a Bath chair should be able to traverse 



