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00°- ram “ANNUAL REPORT, = 
-I will now proceed to consider the laying out of a garden. And ast, 
when the house has yet to be built. 
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Location and Soil. 
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In this case, the first thing to do is to choose a good location for the house, 
and in doing this any natural advantage of view, shelter, &c., should be 
seized upon. It is also of importance that the soil should cpoe as no 
amount of manuring can make a poor soil equal to one naturally good, for 
manuring does not permanently enrich the soil, but has only a temporary 
effect. If possible, a soil should he chosen with a sandy or gravelly subsoil, 
.as this would itself obviate the necessity of artificial drainage which might 
be required were the subsoil of a clayey nature. If a situation can be ob- 
tained which is sheltered from the north and northeast, either by trees or 
hills, with the proper soil and a gentle slope to the south, then we have the 
requisites for a good beginning. And here I would say that the way the 
house is placed will have a good deal to do with the general appearance. 
The House and its Elevation. 
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Care should be taken that the house in style and architecture is suitable 
to the location. A house which would look well in a town might be an ab-— 
surdity in the country, and vice versa. But whatever kind of house is chosen, 
if on the flat it should be raised at least three feet above the general level. 
If on the side of a hill, then the front should stand well up, while the hill 
should be excavated for the rear of the house. The amount of excavating 
depending on the slope of the hill and depth of the house. This will give 
a much more striking appearance, besides affording room for cellars and 
allowing for various outdoor arrangements. 
The Garden. 
The house having been built, then comes the laying out of the garden. 
And here right on the threshold, so to speak, of the subject, Iam confronted 
by the difficulty of conveying my ideas in an intelligible manner by description 
alone, without the aid of plans, which, of course, the exigencies of the case 
prevent me from introducing. Did circumstances admit of my giving a few 
plans, I should be able to treat the matter much more comprehensively and 
exhaustively. As it is I must do the best I can trusting to your good nature 
to overlook any shortcomings. I would advise that the garden should con- 
sist largely of lawn, as when once well started and in good condition this is 
much easier to keep in good order than the same space of flower-beds and 
if properly looked after always presents a good appearance. If the house 
has been raised sufficiently a terrace should be made around the house, or if 
on the side of a hill, along the front. Insome places the conformation of 
the ground might necessitate a succession of terraces. The balance of the 
lawn should be made with a very gentle slope, considearble pains should be 
taken to get the ground into the proper condition for sodding. 
