20 



wall, with its decorations, and house from appearing as a whole with a variety 

 of composition — a thing I am most anxious to secure. Midway between the 

 house and wall I should have a straight walk, from seven to twelve feet wide, 

 extending the whole length of the building, and in some cases even as far as 

 the walls, enclosing the various offices or outbuildings, if the extent and 

 magnitude of the residence should seem to demand it (as represented in both 

 general plans). On each side of this terrace walk I would have formal flower 

 beds for the reception of early flowers, and other pleasing plants, to be 

 introduced from the greenhouse or reserve garden as they come into bloom. 



Figuke 9. 



These beds should have an edging of rich ornamental cast-iron work, or 

 stone, or clay, or terra cotta, from six to nine inches deep (figure 9) ; and for 



the sake of variety, especially in 



Figure 10. 



the round beds, strong wire basket 

 work. Thus a gay, beautiful, and 

 harmonious display would be pro- 

 duced. With the present cheap- 

 ness of glass, the propriety of 

 ornamental plant protectors, made 

 to fit the beds within the baskets, 

 suggests itself. These should be 

 octagonal (figure 10). The frames 

 would be best made of cast-iron, 



from four to five feet in diameter, and from two feet six inches to three feet 



