250 ORKAMENTAL GARIDEKiKG. 



the work. Not much is thought of applying such 

 amounts to the ornamentation of the house, yet if plans 

 like these, or similar ones suggested, were applied to 

 all the small lots of a neighborliood or a town, there 

 would follow returns in the form of pure pleasure and 

 healthfulness in such vicinities, not procurable in any 

 other manner, or so cheaply. 



In England, and elsewhere in Europe, the smallest 

 sized cottage lots are oftener improved than with us. To- 

 pass along the streets of some English towns, and see 

 rows of houses, the little front plats of each tastefully 

 laid out, planted, and well kept, one can easily have faith 

 in the favorable influences of such improvements on the 

 happiness of these homes. Contrasting such cottage 

 grounds with the neglected ones so general in our favored 

 land, one is impressed with the wide field open for 

 improvements in this class of places everywhere through- 

 out America. 



While the plans already given were designed for lots of 

 the smallest sizes, several of them, for example those of 

 figures 93, 94, and 96, would be adapted to front lots of 

 a similar shape several times larger than those indicated, 

 say from two to three square rods in each. Figure 98 

 would be the best of these, because the central portion 

 of the lawn is open, tending to impart an air of breadth 

 and repose, a matter, the importance of which increases 

 with the larger size of the plats. 



A long, narrow front yard is shown in figure 99 ; it is 

 of moderate size, in which many shrubs are used, yet 

 there is considerable open lawn, an arbor, several flower- 

 beds, and a shade tree. Such an arrangement of borders 

 and walks, the former planted with shrubs of all sizes 

 and in large variety, with hardy and tender flowers, 

 renders a small place exceedingly interesting to any lover 

 of natural beauty in flowers, shrubs, and trees. Besides, 

 such improvements may make a place seem far more 



