64 AX AMERICAX FARMER IX EXGLAXD. 



the ground which were not used for these purposes, were laid in 

 masses of rock-work, and mosses and rock-plants attached to 

 them. The mounds were finally planted with shrubs, and heaths 

 and ferns, and the beds with flowering plants. Between these 

 and the walks and drives, is everywhere a belt of turf (which 

 by the way, is kept close cut with short, broad scythes, and 

 shears, and swept with hair-brooms, as we saw). Then the 

 rural lodges, temples, pavillion, bridges, orchestra for a band of 

 instrumental music, etc., were built. And so, in one year, the 

 skeleton of this delightful garden was complete. 



But this is but a small part. Besides the cricket and an 

 archeiy ground, large valleys were made verdant, extensive 

 drives arranged plantations, clumps, and avenues of trees 

 formed, and a large park laid out. And all this magnificent 

 pleasure ground is entirely, unreservedly, and for ever, the 

 people's own. The poorest British peasant is as free to enjoy it 

 in all its parts as the British queen. More than that, the baker 

 of Birkenhead has the pride of an OWNER in it 



Is it not a grand, good thing ? But you are inquiring who 

 paid for it. The honest owners the most wise and worthy 

 townspeople of Birkenhead in the same way that the New 

 Yorkers pay for " the Tombs," and the Hospital, and the cleaning 

 (as they say) of their streets. 



Of the farm which was purchased, one hundred and twenty 

 acres have been disposed of in the way I have described. The 

 remaining sixty acres, encircling the park and garden, were 

 reserved to be sold or rented, after being well graded, streeted, 

 and planted, for private building lots. Several fine mansions are 

 already built on these (having private entrances to the park), 

 and the rest now sell at $1.25 a square yard. The whole concern 

 cost the town between five and six hundred thousand dollars. 



