365 

 HOW TO UTILIZE A TOWN AKEA. 



BY W. D. PBIOB, ESQ. 



SHE propensity of mankind to move only in beaten tracks 

 appears to be a normal characteristic of our race. 

 There seems to exist a natural antipathy in the minds 

 of most men to original thought, and to the exercise of 

 those inventive faculties whereby conveniences may be 

 increased, and pleasures extended. Thus the spirit of innovation is 

 looked upon as a thing to be discountenanced and avoided ; till 

 having reached the stage of established fact, no folly becomes too 

 stupendous, no absurdity too glaring to be followed by the unrea- 

 soning crowd. These propositions hold equally true of the most 

 important as well as of the most trivial pursuits. Hence oppor- 

 tunity is lost, invention is paralyzed, and a dreary inanity would 

 prevail but for the enterprise of the independent few — the pioneers 

 of progress, who, from time to time, by pertinacious adherence to 

 their principles and opinions at length convert quondam opponents 

 into admiring disciples. 



I was led into this train of thought a short time ago, by what 

 many might consider a trivial illustration. In passing by a large 

 house at the West-end, I perceived one of the areas converted into 

 a complete, well-furnished fernery. The effect was as novel as it was 

 charming and ingenious. The basement apartment was evidently 

 in use as a sitting-room, from which the effect must have been 

 that of looking into a conservatory, and that too of no mean extent. 

 The plants had been recently syringed, and their cool freshness and 

 vivid green, presented such a contrast to the scorching sun and 

 heated pavement, as to form a complete oasis in the desert of hot 

 bricks and mortar of the streets. 



Now here the genius of the innovator had evidently been at work 

 — some enterprising soul, above the stereotyped box of mignonette, 

 with the convolvulus in a flower-pet, or scarlet-runner trained 

 round the window, had exemplified what might be done to extem- 

 porize a scene of verdure and beauty, even in so ungenial a spot as 

 a London area ; with what beneficial results upon the mind and 

 morale it is impossible to estimate. 



Now why cannot such an example be extensively followed ? 

 and "area gardening" be made to form an interesting feature in 

 connection with town habitations. With a view to the assistance of 

 such as may be inclined to attempt the experiment, it may not be 

 out of place to enter a little more into detail of the objects used to 

 carry out such an undertaking. A few large roots, some white flints 

 and clinkers arranged against the walls, furnished the groundwork of 

 the plan. These were filled with hardy ferns of different kinds and 

 aspects, tastefully contrasted, some in pots, sunk in moss ; others 

 planted in suitable hollows, filled with mould, in the roots and 

 clinkers themselves. Colour was supplied by pots of geraniums, 

 fuchsias, and similar easily-managed subjects, perfumed by red and 



