12 PRACTICAL FLORICULTURE. 



with the water-table, or first floor, raised above the 

 ground some five feet, and the earth from the foundations 

 and cellars employed for a terrace, rising about two and 

 a half feet above the ordinary level, which is understood 

 to be some two feet above that of the public road. 



This plan is entirely in the geometric style, or with 

 straight walks exclusively, as we think that, considering 

 everything, this arrangement is the most suitable for small 

 lots. 



What, indeed, is the best use to which to put so little 

 room ? Fruit trees, vegetables, and large pieces of lawn 

 are not what are here required ; fruit and vegetables the 

 proprietor may procure at the market cheaper than he 

 could raise them ; lawns or grass plots would not be ac- 

 cessible for any amusement or exercise in damp or rainy 

 weather. Therefore I consider well-made walks, that may 

 be dry in the afternoon of a rainy day, much more needed 

 for the promenade of persons, who, having been busy all 

 day, require some exercise and fresh air in the evening. 

 Fine shrubbery, flower-beds, and shade are also required. 



In a planting of the right sort, it requires not much 

 depth to form good belts to protect the place against the 

 cold winds, or sometimes against cool neighbors. 



A large display of flowers does not require a very large 

 space of ground, and if plenty of flowers should be 

 wanted, as is generally the case, their quantity may be in- 

 creased by a judicious selection of flowering shrubbery. 



For a more sheltered, shady walk, I should, in such a 

 place, suggest a well-built arbor too, covered on top with 

 out-door grape vines, and on the side towards the house 

 with fine flowering climbers, or those that have good and 

 durable foliage, such as Climbing Roses and Honeysuckles, 

 the Clematis, Akebia, Virginia Creeper, Bittersweet (or 

 Celastrus scandens). Wistaria Sinensis, etc., as perma- 

 nent plants, which may be trained so as to cover the whole 

 front ; and then, for variety, of a dwarfer habit and cover- 



