ON THE FORMATION OF SHRUBBERIES. 133 



are planted too generally in the form of sloping banks, without the 

 least natural beauty whatever, although in this way they miy 

 answer the purpose of blinding out disagreeable objects of little merit 

 when seen even from their best side . 



Great attention should be paid in their planting, to give them a 

 somewhat natural appearance, and not that of a surface as regular a3 

 if they were clipped with the garden shears. Straight lines should 

 also be avoided as much as possible; and the margin of the shrubbery 

 should be broken with deep indentures or sinuosities, and these 

 should be neatly turfed over and kept mown. The walks which lead 

 through this department should not be to any great distance in a 

 straight line if it can be avoided, neither should they be too much 

 twisted. There is something in a fine gentle sweep or curve so pleasing 

 in a road or walk, that few are insensible of its beauty. The breadth 

 of the walks should be regulated according to the length and scale 

 of the place, as too narrow walks for principal ones have never a good 

 effect ; they should scarcely, under any circumstances, be less than 

 five feet wide, and unless for terrace walks of great length should not 

 be more than eight ; if the greater breadth, they assume the appear- 

 ance of a carriage drive, and if narrower, they dwindle in appearance 

 to a mere footpath. 



By combining the more distant parts of the grounds with the lawn 

 and house by means of shrubberies, much may be done if executed 

 with judgment. Space does not always give the idea of grandeur, for 

 a limited sphere is often better adapted to the display of ornament 

 and beauty. By good management a small strip of ground may be 

 varied by taking advantage of the ground (if any) ; or, if it be a level 

 and monotonous spot, art can readily step forward and assist by 

 raising banks, sinking the walks, and planting shrubs in thick masses, 

 chiefly evergreen species, and conducting the walks in the most 

 circuitous manner, so as not to intersect each other but as little as 

 possible; however, care must be taken to give sufficient breadth of 

 walk, and also a margin of grass on the sides of unequal breadths, 

 which will naturally assist in adding to the picturesque appearance 

 of the whole. This may also be aided by forming the banks to be 

 planted of unequal heights, which banks in small places need not 

 occupy much surface at their base, so as to admit of as great a breadth 

 of grass margin between them and the walks as possible ; in some 



