ON LAYING OUT A FLOWER GARDEN. 15 



ment the end is accomplished. But, in commencing these 

 operations, a design should be kept in view that will tend 

 to expand, improve and beautify the situation ; not, as we 

 too frequently see it, the parterre and borders with narrow 

 walks up to the very household entrance : such is decided- 

 ly bad taste, unless compelled for want of room. For per- 

 spicuity, admit that the area to be enclosed should be from 

 one to three acres, a circumambient walk should be traced 

 at some distance within the fence, by which the whole is 

 enclosed ; the inferior walks should partly circumscribe 

 and intersect the general surface in an easy serpentine and 

 sweeping manner, and at such distances as would allow an 

 agreeable view of the flowers when walking for exercise. 

 Walks may be in breadth from three to twenty feet, although 

 from four to ten feet is generally adopted ; and, to have 

 these dry and permanent, those that are to be much used 

 should have six to eight inches of the bottom soil dug out 

 in a concave manner, and in the centre of the concave dig 

 out a trench of about nine inches square to form a drain, 

 which may be made with brick or filled with rough stone, 

 and the concave may be filled with refuse of buildings or 

 broken stone within three inches of the desired height, 

 which should be covered with gravel, and then firmly rolled 

 with a heavy roller. Where the gravel cannot be obtained 

 sand may be used, mixed with a few small stones to bind 

 it, but such needs very repeated rolling. Walks, such as 

 described, when completely finished, will last for ages ; but 

 many will not be disposed to go to such expense : to those 

 we say use tanner's bark, which is very cheap and ac- 

 cessible to all. The outer margin of the garden should be 

 planted with the largest trees and shrubs : the interior ar- 

 rangement may be in detached groups of shrubbery and 

 parterres. In order that the whole should not partake of 

 an uniform and graduated character, it should be broken 

 and diversified by single trees planted in the turf, or aris- 

 ing in scattered groups from a base of shrubs. In some 

 secluded spot rock-work or a fountain, or both, may be 

 erected; the foundation of the former should consist of 

 mounds of earth, which will answer the purpose of more 

 solid erections, and will make the stones go farther : rocks 

 of the same kind and colour should be placed together, and 

 the greatest possible variety of character, size and form, 



