SUBURBAN RESIDENCES. 145 



chevaux-de-frise, it spreads both ways, and forms a fine mantling canopy. 

 The footpath in the lane being formed over an old, deep, dry ditch, by filling 

 it in with the soil of an old grubbed up hedgerow, it occurred to us, when 

 building the wall, that it would form an excellent place for the root of a vine. 

 We accordingly had a small hole left in the wall, about a foot under the sur- 

 face, and, in due time, thrust through it a strong three-years-old cutting of the 

 black Hamburg, 4 ft. in length, which has since grown with extraordinary 

 vigour, mounting to the tops of the pear-trees, and producing abundance of 

 fruit, which, in fine seasons, is coloured (though not ripened), and which 

 gives the whole the character of Italian scenery, admirably in keeping with the 

 veranda round the house. 



217. The edgings to the walks of both back gardens are of box. That of the 

 front gardens, from d to 8f, was originally of turf; but the grass not growing 

 well, in consequence of the crowded state and greatly increased size of the 

 shrubs, we found it advisable, some years afterwards, to substitute an edging 

 of brick, laid flatwise, without mortar, alternately header and stretcher; and 

 which, joining in with the turf on each side, soon became covered with 

 weather stains, and now forms altogether an admirable edging for this 

 description of garden : it may be considered a kind of architectural string- 

 course or band, which, expanded into a parallelogram or square basement, 

 as at a or i^*, forms an excellent foundation for erecting a pedestal for a statue 

 or a vase. It also harmonises with the band of brick laid on edge which 

 forms an apparent basement round the veranda. In 1849, twenty-six years 

 after these gardens were laid out and planted, that on the south side still pre- 

 served much of its original character ; though nearly a third of the trees and 

 shrubs originally planted had died, or had been cut down for want of space. 

 In the north garden only a few trees were left, and the greater part of the 

 ground was covered with grass. 



§ 4. — Culture of Suhurhan Gardens. 



218. Plants grotvn in suburban gardens labour under many serious dis- 

 advantages inseparable from their situation, and the evil effects of which can 

 only be guarded against by extraordinary care in their cultivation. The 

 soil in which they grow is frequently hard and cold, from bad drainage and 

 constant saturation with water : they are deprived of a proper quantity of light 

 and air, and the pores of their leaves are choked up by constant depositions 

 from the smoky atmosphere by which they are surrounded. Thus circum- 

 stanced, it is almost impossible to keep flowering plants in a healthy state 

 without constant care and attention ; and even care and attention will be 

 useless unless accompanied by a knowledge of the wants of the plants, and of 

 the right manner of supplying them. It will therefore be necessary to say a 

 few words on the food of plants, and the organs through which it is absorbed, 

 in order to know how to supply that food properly, and how to keep the 

 organs which are to absorb it in a proper condition. 



219. Plants take the greater part of their food, which must be either in a 

 gaseous or liquid state, partly through the spongioles of their roots, and partly 

 through the pores in their leaves ; and consequently, it is of the greatest 

 importance not only to keep these organs, which are of the most delicate con- 

 struction, in a condition to exercise their functions properly ; but to take care 

 that they come in contact with the food required by them. The food of 



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