GKASS SLOPES. 81 



a low, broad hedge, or a border of shrubs formed along 

 the edge of the terrace : in some cases the border may 

 be shaped into a sloping bank of considerable breadth, 

 and the height of the wall proportionall}^ reduced. The 

 union, in the same terrace, of the retaining wall and 

 the sloping grass bank, seldom produces a good effect. 

 Their most suitable combination is when the wall is 

 made to support the lower portion of the bank ; but 

 when this plan is adopted, neither the wall nor the 

 bank sliould be high. Kegularly sloped grass banks, 

 surmounted by a parapet, have a peculiarly incon- 

 gruous appearance : the walls or parapets look as if 

 they wanted a base, and the banks seem to have been 

 piled up against the lower parts of the walls to hide 

 deformities. As the parapets appear to rest on the 

 edge of a sloping surface, they present the very image 

 of instability ; besides, on the top of a grass bank they 

 are not ordinarily required for protection, nor, indeed, 

 for any useful purpose. In short, they are altogether 

 in bad taste. 



Note. — In the severer latitudes of our northern 

 states, terraces should be cautiously attempted, and 

 adopted only after mature deliberation. In loose soils, 

 terrace slopes should lie at easy angles when grassed 

 over, and secured with heavy walls when uprightly 

 faced. Except in precipitous grounds, the formation 

 of terraces" to any extent cannot be highly recom- 

 mended. Flooding rains tear them, and deep frosts 

 heave them out of place. It is evident our author is 

 not passionately iA love with them, even in the less 

 frosty climate of Britain. — Ed. 



Grass Slopes. — Terraces are often faced with grass 

 slopes instead of walls; and though the resulting eftect 



