SUBURBAN RESIDENCES. 



71 



become so weakened, that in three or four years they would not reqiure 

 mowing above five or six times in the course of the year. It is a great mis- 

 take to suppose that anything is gained in the end, in the way of economy^ 

 by suflfering the grass of lawns to grow long before mowing, in order to save 

 the expense of once or twice mowing during the season ; for, in proportion as 

 the grass is allowed to grow long, in the same proportion are the roots 

 strengthened, and enabled to send up still longer leaves and stems ; whereas, 

 if a lawn were kept short by frequent mowing for two or three years in suc- 

 cession, the plants of grass would at last become so weak that not one half 

 the mowing usually required for slovenly-kept lawns would be necessary, and 

 the turf would be much finer and neater in appearance. The trees, being 

 planted with a view to picturesque eflTect, would require very little atten- 

 tion of any kind for a number of years, more especially if the soil were dry 

 and not too rich. Even the flower-garden would be managed with very 

 little cost. 



§2. Suburban gardens, in which profit is the principal object in view. 



Design IV. To lay out and plant the garden of a street-house, where the 

 principal object is the culture of fruit and vegetables. 



111. General arra?igements. — The mode of laying out and planting a subur- 

 ban garden, entered through the house, where the object is to save expense 

 to the occupier, by raising vegetables to be consumed in his family, differs 

 considerably from those recommended where the object is economy in the 

 first cost, or economy in the after-management. It may be necessary to 

 premise, that, by profit, we do not here allude to the sale of articles, but 

 simply to the production of such fruit and vegetables as shall be most useful 

 in the household economy of the occupier. "We shall suppose the extent of 

 the back garden of Jig. 34. to be nearly the same as in Jig. 31. ; because the 



34 



same directions are alike applicable to both, or to any other garden similarly 

 circumstanced. We shall also suppose that the drainage, levelling, service 

 pipes, &c., and also the walks, are completed, and the front garden sloped, 

 as advised in § 78.; and the ground trenched, improved if necessary, and 

 thoroughly manured. In addition, there ought to be a manure tank formed, 

 and so connected with the privy and the sink of the back kitchen, as to 

 receive the drainage from them. To this there ought either to be a fixed 

 pump, or a moveable cover, to admit of readily dipping a bucket into the tank 

 If a pump be employed, it ought to be one of large bore, so as to bring up 

 mud as well as water. In using this liquid manure, great care must be taken 

 never to put it on the leaves of the plants, and either to follow it by watering 



