94 TAEKS AND PLEASUEE-GKOUNDS. 



effect of the scene when their respective beds are 

 empty, or when the phants are small or in a state of 

 decay. Grass is the most suitable groundwork for 

 gardens of this description ; but some of its groups of 

 flower-beds may be intersected by walks bordered 

 with edgings of box or low flowers ; and this, by in- 

 creasing the variety, will add to the general effect. 

 Terraces are admissible only when consistent with the 

 natural form of tlie ground. They should be con- 

 nected with the conservatories, or other plant-houses, 

 when these structures are erected in the flower-garden, 

 and in that case they may be faced with walls, and 

 may receive considerable architectural decoration. 

 Apart from such associations, they are better formed 

 with grass slopes. Both forms afford good points for 

 viewing the riches of Flora spread out below, foun- 

 tains, pieces of water, dials, vases, etc., may also be 

 introduced, either grouped together, or made the cen- 

 ters of figures or clusters of figures allotted to the 

 growth of flowering plants and shrubs. Some of these 

 means of ornament demand a sej)arate and more de- 

 tailed notice. 



•Artistical Decoeations. — Yases and statuary form 

 admirable ornaments of flower-gardens, when fine in 

 themselves and when well arranged ; but the latter 

 condition is somewhat difilcult to fulfill, and therefore 

 requires attentive and tasteful management. Yases 

 are more adapted to geometrical arrangements. They 

 are peculiarly well suited for terraces, on which, how- 

 ever, they should harmonize with the architectural 

 forms of surrounding objects. They mnj be placed 

 either singly, or with groups of flower-beds, in the 

 more irregular styles of designing. The employment 



