178 THK VILLA GARDENEE. 



5. Almost the only kinds of flowers thatwc would introduce among large-growing shrubs 

 are spring flowering bulbs. 



6. In distributing beds of flowers over a residence, we would limit their range to a portion 

 of the pleasure-ground adjoining the house ; and we would place them along the wallis, in 

 order that they might be near the eye of the spectator. 



7. Besides these scattered beds, we would form, in each place, one or more flower 

 gardens. 



8. In distributing the kinds in the beds, we would aim sometimes at producing splendid 

 masses of one colour ; and, at others, of variegated masses of colours ; nometimes we would 

 liave in view a fine display for only one month, to be succeeded by some other flower for 

 the following month ; while in other cases we would plant such a selection as should 

 exhibit an equal number of plants in flower every month througliout the season. 



9. Flowers requiring particular soils, aspects, &c., we would i)lant together in the same 

 group or bed. 



10. Flowers characteristic of particular countries we would frequently plant together; 

 such as Swiss plants. Highland plants, American plants, or the characteristic flowers of the 

 flora of any particular country. 



1 1 . For the sake of a more brilliant display, we would introduce, in groups by themselves, 

 beds of exotic flowers, or flowering shrubs, requiring to be brought forward under glass, &c. ; , 

 such as pelargoniums, fuchsias, salvias, celsias, &c. 



12. Where there is a taste for botany, and a desire to possess an extensive collection of 

 hardy herbaceous plants, we would contrive to introduce as many species as might be 

 thought desirable in a botanic flower-garden, arranged either geographically, that is, each 

 country by itself, physically, that is, according to soil, aspect, &c., such as alpines, meadow 

 plants, marsh plants, or aquatics ; or systematically, that is, according to some system of 

 botanical classification. 



13. When the object of a bed of flowers is to present one unbroken mass of colour, we 

 would plant and manage it in the picturesque manner ; but, where the object is to exliibit 

 each plant separately and distinctly, then we would plant and manage the flower-beds 

 according to the gardenesque mode. 



14. We would take up, and replant in fresh soU, all perennial flowers whatever, at the 

 end of one, two, or three, or at most four, years ; in order to prevent the stronger from 

 ovei-powering the weaker, and the soil of the bed from becoming exhausted by the abstrac- 

 tion of nourishment. 



15. Wliere the picturesque plan of planting the trees and shrubs is adopted, perennial 

 flowers and bulbs may be planted among them, on the first formation of the plantation, and 

 left to be choked up and destroyed as the woody plants gradually spread over the surface. 



IG. The proportion of space, in the pleasure-ground, which should be covered with 

 flowers, will depend on the taste of the proprietor. If shrubs and breadth of lavra are 

 preferred, or if there is a separate flower-garden, then the flower-beds need not be nume- 

 rous, and may consist of a few near the house ; but if the taste for flowers is greater than 

 that for trees and shrubs, then the flower-beds may be increased accordingly. 



274. Architectural ornaments. — The inimber of these about a place depends 

 on various circumstances, but chiefly on whether the pleasure-ground is plain, 

 or much decorated in the immediate vicinity of the mansion. If there be a 

 terrace-walk bordering the house, and leading to the flower-garden, the for- 

 mer may be enriched with statues, and the latter with vases, agreeably to 

 principles already laid down in the preceding pages 

 of this work. The walks in the pleasure-ground 

 should, at all events, have seats placed in situa- 

 tions displaying the best views ; which may be of 

 the most simple description, and formed of the 

 most common materials, as shown in jig. 82. ; or 

 there may be covered seats, in the form of different 

 descriptions of rustic buildings, constructed chiefly 



