6 VILLA CtAEDENINCt part i 



are very considerable. lutricacy or embroidery always adds to the 

 fii'st cost, as well as to the auuual exjDense of keeping. Perhaps 

 this additional cost might be borne if it continued to give pleasm-e ; 

 but this rarely happens, and I would strongly advise all who really 

 love flowers, and want to enjoy them in their gardens in all stages 

 of their growth, to have the outlines of the garden as simple and 

 flowing as possible, that both the eye and the mind may love to 

 dwell upon it ; and having done this, to care specially for the beds 

 and borders that are to receive the living occupants of the garden. 



Preparatory "Work. — This will consist first of draining, 

 which should be thoroughly done in order to lay the place dry and 

 make it comfortable to work and walk on at all seasons. The de- 

 tails of this work can only be arranged on the spot, as hea^y cold 

 clays may require drains at frequent intervals, and where trees are 

 to be planted the di'aius should be not less than 3| feet deep. 

 Then after the draining is accomplished the roads and walks should 

 be set out, and all the ground intended for shrubs or turf trenched 

 not less than 20 inches deep, and before this work is done, or 

 during its progi'ess, any alteration of surface that may be desirable 

 to improve the outline of the place should be carried out. A 

 geometrical or formal garden wiU require flat sm-faces, whilst the 

 picturesque or the rustic, or what we may term the English gar- 

 den, in contradistinction to the Italian or Dutch style, should have 

 the surface undidated, sometimes rising into boldness of expression, 

 at others sinking gradually away. 



"Wherever the groimd rises into prominence the summits should 

 be crowned with trees and shrubs, or perhaps a tree or two may be 

 planted in the background with shrubs in front, those near the 

 margin being of a drooping character of growth. In arranging an 

 English garden special sites should be created for hardy plants and 

 other features which it may be desirable to introduce. Alpines 

 and Ferns are specially interesting subjects, and in laying out the 

 place an eye coidd be had to a suitable site for them, although 

 their day may be for a time deferred. There must, of course, be 

 Roses, but I do not care about a formal garden for them. They 

 may be planted anywhere and everywhere, and they will be re- 

 ferred to again hereafter, so I shall not dwell upon this part of 

 my subject now. 



What are called American shrubs, such as Rhododendrons and 

 Azaleas, are so beautiful in spring that an eftbrt shoidd be made, if 

 possible, to provide a place for some of them. In the majority of 

 gardens some little extra preparation is required by the addition of 

 manure, leaf-mould, sand, etc., to the soil ; and all such work can 

 be done better before the place is laid out, or at least before the 



