THE TECHNICS OF GARDENING. 141 



seclusion that the house naturally has, and introduce 

 water, if available, at the low-level of the site. The 

 air of seclusion that the low-lying situation gives to 

 the house is thus intensified by crowning the heights 

 with wood and setting water at the base of the 

 slope. 



The hanging-gardens at Clevedon Court afford a 

 good example of what can be done by a judicious 

 formation of ground where the house is situated near 

 the base of a slope, and this example is none the less 

 interesting for its general agreement with Lamb's 

 " Blakesmoor "- its ample pleasure -garden "rising 

 backwards from the house in triple terraces ; . . . 

 the verdant quarters backwarder still, and stretching 

 still beyond in old formality, the firry wilderness, 

 the haunt of the squirrel and the day-long murmur- 

 ing wood-pigeon, with that antique image in the 

 centre." 



Before dealing with the garden and its relation to 

 the house it may be well to say a few words upon 

 Planting. Trees are among the grandest and most 

 ornamental effects of natural scenery ; they help the 

 charm of hill, plain, valley, and dale, and the changes 

 in the colour of their foliage at the different seasons 

 of the year give us perpetual delight. One of the 

 most important elements in ornamental gardens is 

 the dividing up and diversifying a given area by 

 plantations, by grouping of trees to form retired 

 glades, open lawns, shaded alleys, and well-selected 

 margins of woods ; and, if this be skilfully done, an 

 impression of variety and extent will be produced 



