20 BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



and western quarters, which will greatly protect the plants 

 from cold winds, particularly if they be evergreens. Large 

 trees should not be planted so near as to injure the garden by 

 their roots or shade. Every fine garden should be well 

 secured by fence or hedge, if at all exposed to the public road. 

 A hedge is far the prettiest, if well managed, neat, and orna- 

 mental. 



" The plan of the garden, be it either large or small, gener- 

 ally pleases when it is so constructed as to give a variety in 

 the design. Formality, though often the leading feature, sel- 

 dom gives that ease that is requisite. The planting of the 

 ground should also bear the nicest consideration ; by which, 

 I mean that such shrubs and plants should be selected as will 

 form a pleasing contrast, and appropriate in the different places 

 assigned to them." 



GARDEN WALKS. 



Width of Walks. The main walk, or walks, of a garden, 

 should be laid out on a liberal scale. Nothing detracts so much 

 from the pleasures of the flower-garden as contracted walks. 

 When we wish to enjoy the company of a friend, in the flower- 

 garden, it is much more agreeable to have him by our side, arm 

 in arm, than to be under the necessity of making the tour of 

 the garden in Indian file. The main walks should, therefore, 

 be calculated so as to admit two persons to walk comfortably in 

 a social manner; and, if wide enough for a little one in addi- 

 tion, so much the better. From five to six feet will not be too 

 wide for the main avenue. The internal compartments, of 

 course, should have much narrower walks, the width of which 

 must be graduated in a degree by the size of the garden. 



The walks of the flower-garden should be constructed of 

 such material as will make firm and dry walking at all seasons 

 of the year. The best walks are composed of small stones, 

 oyster-shells, coarse gravel, or broken bricks, covered with five 

 or six inches of fine gravel. As to the color of the gravel, or 

 coating, you must be governed by fancy and convenience ; but 



