472 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



The difference in the treatment of these parks, and those 

 at Liverpool and Birkenhead, is so wide I fear to risk a com- 

 parison. 



In the commencement of these parks two sad mistakes 

 were made, which I will here make a few notes of, that 

 others similarly situated may the better guard against them. 



The committee who had charge of the improvements 

 offered premiums for the best plans, and were captivated with 

 the gorgeously colored designs of a Mr. Johan Major and 

 Son, which proved to be impracticable in many respects. 

 They also gave the contract for grading, fencing, and plant- 

 ing, to the lowest bidder, who failed when the works were 

 half done ; and the finishing up with litigations, delays and 

 costs, when complete, amounted to £ 12,000 for an inferior 

 job, when the highest bidder's proposal was only £9,000. 



Victoria Park contains one hundred and forty acres of 

 land with about five miles of drives, and is laid out into villa 

 lots from fifty feet front to two or three acres each. There 

 are several very fine villas already built, and more in pro- 

 gress. 



No part of these grounds are public. Lodges and gates 

 are located at the principal entrances, for the purpose of 

 excluding all but residents and their friends. 



This is what would be a very economical and popular 

 arrangement with us if properly carried out, and would 

 enable the projectors to realize better profits than they do 

 from the usual rectangular subdivisions, so numerous in the 

 suburbs of all our towns and cities. 



Here, the drives, lodges, drainage, &c., are all made by 

 the company, and the lots sold with restrictions which are 

 mutually beneficial. 



There are several very fine brick villas in this park, exhib- 

 iting an unusual amount of variety and ornament for brick- 

 work, and at rates much cheaper than stone. 



The bricks are the color of our fire bricks and very hard. 

 The quoins, water-tables, cap, sills, keystones, &c., are of a 

 drab-colored sandstone ; the roofs are universally of slate. 



A favorite plan is to build two villas togetherj each having 



