354 THE VILLA GARDENER. 



In order neither to injure the trees, nor to cultivate any portion of the sur- 

 face that will not produce an abundant crop, it is advisable to leave, 

 untouched by the plough, a circle of turf round each tree or small group, of 

 a diameter three or four feet greater than tlie spread of the branches. Round 

 the margin of larger masses, and also along the margin of the boundary 

 plantation, there ought to be a border of turf ten or twelve feet wide, that is, 

 sufficiently broad to admit of driving a carriage along it ; which will at once 

 be convenient for fai'm operations, such as carting out manure, carting home 

 produce, &c., and serve as a drive, or a place for riding in, for the proprietor 

 and his family, to survey the farm. It is the existence of green drives of this 

 kind round the fields, and ornamental trees and shrubs in the hedges, and in 

 groups and masses, which constitute what is called a ferme ornee ; and, when 

 these margins are mown, and the hedges and plantations that accompany 

 them are planted or varied with rare or ornamental trees and shrubs, the 

 interest and enjoyment produced by a farm may be considered as carried to 

 the highest pitch. 



431. The kind of farming, or of field culture, that will be commonly 

 adopted in the villa park farm, will, for the most part, be of the ordinary 

 description, such as raising oafs for the carriage-horses, and straw for littering 

 them and the cows ; raising clover, lucerne, saintfoin, or tares, according to 

 the soil and subsoil, for the cows and the farm horses ; raising carrots, 

 potatoes, and other root crops, for the cows and sheep, and partly for use in 

 the house ; and sometimes raising buckwheat, for the nourishment of game, 

 &c. It may sometimes happen, however, where the object is chiefly recrea- 

 tion, that some of the kinds of farming peculiar to different districts of 

 counti-y may be adopted, to increase the interest of a ferine ornee. For 

 example, where the soil and climate were suitable, the hop culture might be 

 adopted ; or apple, pear, cherry, walnut, or filbert orchards might be intro- 

 duced. A willow-ground would be suitable for some situations ; and a cop- 

 pice of ash-trees for walking-sticks, crate-ware, or hop-poles for others, and 

 so on. Near large towns, the raising of garden-crops and small fruits, such 

 as currants, gooseberries, raspberries, strawberries, &c., will form a source of 

 interest for the cultivator of the ferine ornee, and one which, in some cases, 

 may afford a little profit. In other parts of the country, peculiar crops may 

 be grown, such as madder, woad, and other plants for dyeing ; liquorice, 

 rhubarb, poppy, and other plants for druggists and apothecaries ; and a very 

 general source of interest, and occasionally of profit, is the raising of seeds for 

 the field, such as those of mangold-wurtzel, turnip, &c. ; or for the garden, 

 such as those of peas and other pulse, carrots, onions, &c. We mention these 

 crops to show the endless source of interest, and the constant occupation, 

 which a ferme ornee is calculated to afford to an amateur who will devote his 

 chief energies to it ; but, at the same time, we consider it proper to state 

 that, where only a little attention can be given, and where farming is not 

 wanted as a profitable occupation, the commonest kind of produce in the given 

 neighbourhood is the best, as it can be raised with least trouble, and may be 

 entirely directed by a local bailiff, or, if very small, by a single ploughman. 



432. The farm hiiildings for a villa or park farm, or for a ferme ornee, 

 should, if possible, be situated at no great distance from the stable-court of 

 the mansion ; partly in order that the latter may be readily supplied with 

 hay, corn, &c., from the former ; and partly that they may be more readily 



