as every mechanic knows, increases the expense), the skew angles, and the cutting 

 of joists and rafters necessary for the octagon, we shall find the supposed cheap- 

 ness gradually melting away, and be convinced that he who buys a small saving 

 at the expense of such a hot, crowded, and eccentric house, will be decidedly 

 " sold" in the bargain. 



In a square house of the same length and breadth, and similar accommodation, 

 all the rooms are larger and more convenient. Of course, a square house, with 

 rooms no larger than those of the octagon, would be less than it in length and 

 breadth, and, consequently, as cheap, or cheaper. 



DESIGNS FOR IMPROYINa COUNTRY RESIDENCES. 



No. 2. 



BY WM. SAUNDERS, LANDSCAPE GARDENER, GERMANTOWN, PA, 



This design represents a place of about one acre and a fourth in extent. Its 

 square form excludes variety of outline, rendering its tasteful improvement more 

 difficult. This place has been planted about five years, and is now beginning to 

 develop the judiciousness of its arrangements. Many of the trees being of large 

 size when transplanted, have now a decided effect. The arrangements possess 

 considerable interest, on account of the great variety of trees, both fruit and orna- 

 mental, the agreeable yet diversified direction of the walks, the skilful introduc- 

 tion of evergreen hedges as screens, and the occasional breadth of lawn seen in 

 vistas at particular points. The single specimens of choice ornamental trees, 

 also form objects of much interest, placed, as they are, in conspicuous positions. 



The front entrance-walk had to take its present outline to avoid cutting down 

 an old tree ; the original surface had also to be lowered at this point ; a rounded 

 mound was therefore formed at the base of the tree, creating at once a pleasing 

 feature, and an apparent reason for the curve in the walk. A similar reason occa- 

 sioned the abrupt bend in the walk at the southeast corner of the veranda, b. 

 Both of these old trees are now covered with English ivy, and thus rendered of 

 double interest. The grape arbors are placed to intercept the view on entering ; 

 the principal lawn view is, therefore, not seen until the best position is reached at 

 the veranda step. The hedges are ingeniously introduced ; they are of American 

 arbor vitse, the best of all plants for quick growing, evergreen hedges. The 

 offices, g, are very completely hid from the walk leading to the stable ; the yard 

 is also separated by a thick hedge, which is carried round the dwarf pear-trees at 

 k, to the rustic house, e. The view to the east, from the rustic summer-house, is 

 pleasingly terminated by the pedestal and vase, v, set in a projecting mass of 

 shrubbery ; the triangular bed of choice low-growing shrubs in front, also assists 

 in rendering the boundary line indistinct at this point. A similar feature is seen 

 when looking up the walk, standing at a point immediately in front of the green- 

 house. The position of the greenhouse and flower-garden might be objected to, 

 abridging, as it does, the vegetable ground. Had the greenhouse been placed on 

 the spot of ground occupied by the dwarf pears at k, and the flower garden in 

 front of it, the vegetable ground would have been enlarged, and the whole arrange- 

 ment more distinct and compact. Such an arrangement was at one time contem- 

 plated, but was set aside for the present one, first, because that part of the grounds 

 was too much shaded by the house to admit of that freedom of flowering so neces- 

 sary in a well-kept flower garden ; but, chiefly, on account of the superior beauty 

 well-kept lawn in winter, instead of the neglected appearance that flow 



ardens usually present at that season. In walking through the grounds 



