366 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



platform around the house, is a suitable and appropriate 

 appendage to every dwelling, of whatever class. 



The width of a terrace around a house may vary from 

 five to twenty feet, or more, in proportion as the building 

 is of greater or less importance. The surrounding wall, 

 which supports its level, may also vary from one to eight 

 feet. The terrace, in the better class of English residences, 

 is paved with smooth flag stones, or in place of this, a sur- 

 face of firm well-rolled gravel is substituted. In residences 

 where a parapet or balustrade would be thought too 

 expensive, a square stone or plinth is placed at the angles 

 or four corners of the terrace, which serves as the pedestal 

 for a vase or urn. When a more elegant and finished 

 appearance is desirable, the parapet formed of open work 

 of stone, or wood painted in imitation of stone, rises above 

 the level of the terrace two or three feet with a suitably 

 bold coping. On this vases may be placed, not only at the 

 corners, but at regular intervals of ten, twenty, or more 

 feet. We have alluded to the good effect of climbers, here 

 and there planted, and suffered to intermingle their rich 

 foliage with the open work of the parapet and its crowning 

 ornaments. In the climate of Philadelphia, the Giant Ivy, 

 with its thick sculpturesque looking masses of foliage, 

 would be admirably suited to this purpose. Or the Vir- 

 ginia Creeper (the Ivy of America) may take its place in 

 any other portion of the Union. To these we may add, 

 the Chinese twining Honeysuckle (Lonicera flexuosa) and 

 the Sweet-scented Clematis, both deliciously fragrant in 

 their blossoms, with many other fine climbers which will 

 readily recur to the amateur. 



There can be no reason why the smallest cottage, if its 

 occupant be a person of taste, should not have a terrace 



