302 Landscape Gardening 



short lawn, is neater than one cropped by sheep; and, for a 

 certain kind of country residence, where the picturesque or 

 pastoral, rather than the studiously elegant, is desired, 

 sheep would heighten the interest and beauty of the scene. 



In order to use sheep in this way, the place should be so 

 arranged that the flower garden and shrubbery shall be 

 distinct from the lawn. In many cases in England, a small 

 portion, directly round the house, is inclosed with a wire 

 fence, woven in a pretty pattern (worth three or four shillings 

 a yard). This contains the flowers and shrubs, on the 

 parlor side of the house, with a small portion of lawn dressed 

 by the scythe. All the rest is fed by the sheep, which are 

 folded regularly every night, to prevent accident from dogs. 

 In this way, a beautiful lawn-like surface is maintained 

 without the least annual outlay. We commend the prac- 

 tice for imitation in this country. 



