fi2 THE VILLA GARDENER. 



pipe is laid so deep as to be out of the reacli of frost, or of being disturbed 

 by the spade, it is not likely to require repair for many years, or even a life- 

 time ; except at its junction with the main pipe in the street, and with the 

 cistern in the house or in the area ; and, in such a case, the gas-pipe may be 

 laid over it. That part of the water-pipe which rises out of the ground to 

 supply the cistern, if not carefully protected by a thick casing of charcoal, 

 ashes, or sand, enclosed in brickwoi-k, will be liable to be frozen and to burst 

 every winter ; more especially where the cistern is placed in the area. The 

 connection, indeed, of the service water-pipe with the cisterns of a house is 

 one of the most difficult points which the builder has to manage. It is very 

 commonly got over by directing the serv^ts of the occupier, Avhen'the win- 

 ter approaches, to wrap straw round the pipes where they join the cistern ; or, 

 perhaps, a cock is so placed as to enable the servants to empty the service- 

 pipe, or that portion of it next the cistern, every time that the cistern is filled ; 

 but, as these precautionary measures are commonly delayed till after a severe 

 frost has occurred, the pipes are generally burst once or twice every winter, 

 and the plumber requires to be called in accordingly. The greatest care, 

 therefore, is requisite to have the service water-pipe rendered perfectly secure 

 from frost, from the point where it leaves the main in the street, to the 

 orifice of the cock which delivers the water to the cistern ; and builders and 

 occupiers should insist on their plumbers making sure of this result. 



77. Out-buildings, pumj} or well, Sj-c. — In gardens to suburban houses, a 

 dust hole is essential; and a privy is sometimes required either as a substitute 

 for, or in addition to, a water-closet in the house. Both these ought to be 

 placed close to the house behind, and near the back door, in order that they 

 may be as conveniently reached as possible. At the bottoms of gardens, even 

 of the smallest size, it will generally be found useful to have a shed for 

 lumber, clothes-posts, old wood for fuel, &c. ; and a pit, 3 ft. square and 2 ft. 

 deep, lined with brick or stone, for such rubbish as will rot into manure. 

 There should also, wherever it is practicable, be a piunp or well, because, 

 even if it does not supply water fit for the kitchen, it will at least be useful 

 for watering the garden, and in case of fire. If the occupier is much attached 

 to gardening, and intends to cultivate culinary vegetables, a manure tank, for 

 liquid manure (which might serve in some cases as a cesspool for the privy), 

 would be found useful ; and if it were properly constructed of brick laid in 

 cement, Avith a closely-fitted covering stone, it would be attended with no 

 offensive smell. When the family washing is performed at home, the soap- 

 suds should always be emptied into this tank, as, after they have fermented 

 for some time, they make excellent manure. It is convenient to have the 

 shed, well, &c., at the lower part of the garden ; or, if they should be placed 

 in any other part, to have them hidden from the windows of the house, and 

 from those of the adjoining houses, by evergreen trees and shrubs. In some 

 cases there maybe one or more bowers, or covered seats; and these, and also 

 architectural ornaments and green-houses, or other plant-houses, if they 

 are required, ought to be taken into consideration before determining on 

 the position of the drains, and the direction of the walks. 



78. Drainage, walks, and texture of the soil, 8fc. — The ground, where not 

 naturally dry, ought to be perfectly under drained, by drains down the mid- 

 dle of both the front and back gardens, communicating with the public sewer, 

 or with some other main drain ; or, if the back garden be large, and the soil 



