84 THE PLEASURE, OR [JAN. 



to become stagnant. When such are admitted, they should always 

 be situated in a clay or gravelly soil, and possess a sufficient head or 

 stream to render the change of their contents frequent. 



A foss, or ha-ha, is often formed at the termination of a spacious 

 lawn, grand walk, avenue, or other principal part of parts of the 

 pleasure-ground, both to extend the prosp*ect into the adjacent fields 

 and country, and give these particular parts of the ground an air of 

 larger extent than they really have ; as at a distance nothing of this 

 kind of fence is seen, so that the adjacent fields, plantations, &c., 

 appear to be a continuation of the pleasure-ground. 



A foss, or ha-ha, is a sunk fence, ditch-like, five or six feet deep, 

 and ten, twenty, or more wide, and is made in different ways accord- 

 ing to the nature of the ground. One sort is formed with a nearly 

 upright side next the pleasure-ground, five, six or seven feet deep, 

 faced with a wall of brick, or stone, or strong post and planking, &c. ; 

 the other side is made sloping outward gradually from the bottom of 

 said wall, till it terminates as near a level as possible. 



It being absolutely necessary to have the whole of the pleasure- 

 ground surrounded with a good fence of some kind, as a defence 

 against cattle, &c., a foss being a kind of concealed fence, will answer 

 that purpose where it can conveniently be made, without interrupting 

 the view of such neighboring parts as are beautified by art or nature, 

 and at the same time effect an appearance that these are only a con- 

 tinuation of the pleasure ground. Over the foss in various parts may 

 be made Chinese and other curious and fanciful bridges, which will 

 have a romantic and pleasing effect. 



DESIGN FOR A VILLA GARDEN. 



To lay out a rural residence satisfactorily, it is necessary to study 

 the form and location of the ground, as well as to consult with, and 

 ascertain the particular requirements of the family. It would be 

 an easy matter to offer a series of designs, many of which might 

 be useful to those in need. I conceive, however, that it will serve 

 a more useful purpose to select a sketch as it occurs in practice, 

 as many opportunities are presented of taking advantage of exist- 

 ing features and turning them to account in the general improve- 

 ment. Individual taste must be recognized in the disposition of the 

 various adjuncts to a dwelling. While some desire the purely orna- 

 mental character to predominate, others have more utilitarian objects 

 in view. The most numerous class are those who wish to have a 

 little of everything vegetables, fruit, flowers, and ornamental trees 

 as shown in the following design. It was required to arrange the 

 grounds, although limited in extent, so as to appropriate a small spot 

 for flowers, as well as have a few of the most desirable ornamental 

 trees disposed on the lawn, with convenient walks for their inspec- 

 tion. Flowering shrubs had also to be kept in view ; a small space 

 was also desired for cultivating some of the smaller kinds of fruits, 

 and lastly, a portion had to be reserved for vegetable culture. 



In arranging these various parts, the principle of distinctiveness 

 has been kept prominently in view. On the west side, the short 



