THE FLOWER-GARDEN. 85 



style of terrace. Stone blocks supporting vases may 

 be ranged along the tops of the banks, and also laurels 

 grown in boxes, and trained to represent the orange- 

 trees used for this purpose on the continent. TLe 

 ^ther processes of ornament are much the same as 

 those referred to above, only, perhaps, they should be 

 carried out in a plainer and lighter style. 



The Flowee-gaeden. — Among the most impor- 

 tant and interesting portions of the pleasure-grounds 

 is the flower-garden, when the place is extensive 

 enough to afford room for its being formed into a 

 separate department. In small residences, the whole 

 of the flower-garden may be close to the house ; but 

 in those of considerable magnitude, it is always desir- 

 able that it should occupy a distinct section of the 

 dressed grounds. In both cases, care should be taken 

 to bring it into harmony with the general scenery, of 

 which, indeed, it should form a constituent, though a 

 more highly and minutely-finished part. On this 

 account, the principles which regulate the formation 

 of the dressed grounds generally, should also be held 

 as applicable, with slight modifications, to the flower- 

 garden. That garden, whether geometrical or other- 

 wisG, should be so arranged as not only to compose an 

 effective whole, but also to exhibit such secondary and 

 minor grouping as will produce good individual groups 

 in its divisional sections, when these are seen in posi- 

 tions from which the whole cannot be comprehended. 

 From want of conformity with this principle, flower- 

 gardens have sometimes a fine effect when seen from 

 one or two leading points of view; but when examined 

 in detail, they lose all their interest, except what arises 

 from individual plants, or masses of flowers and shrubs. 



