io THE ART AND PRACTICE OF LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



be dealt with, a different treatment is taken. Curves should be 

 long and easy. The side slopes of a curved drive, can be more 

 easily and freely dealt with than the sides of a straight drive, 

 because they may be steep or flat, as desired. An uniform slope 

 is unnatural. It is advisable in deep cuttings to bring forward 

 prominent points which may support planting ; or, if in a suitable 

 country, rocky promontories may be made or shown ; and between 

 these projections the spaces should be judiciously excavated, so that 

 the vision following up the hollows thus made will be carried to 

 the ground beyond, and the observer will not realise the fact that 

 an artificial cutting has been introduced. 



The natural slope of earth surface varies ; but, as a rule, it is 

 not wise to make any slope steeper than 2:1, save at exceptional 

 points, where there is planting or rockwork. At such points of 

 abrupt declivity the turf should, if necessary, be pegged down. 

 The gradient of a curved drive can be varied, following within 

 limits the natural undulation of the ground. It should not be made 

 with a series of gradients of certain ratio meeting at angles ; but 

 the gradient should rise or fall imperceptibly, with a line as even, 

 continuous, and graceful as that of a horizontal drive. At the 

 entrance from the public road, and also where the route reaches the 

 house, the gradient should be nearly level, and the line straight, and 

 it is well to keep the gradient level at crossings, or turns to 

 various points. The gradient of a good drive should not be steeper 

 than one in fourteen, though one in nine is a road over which a 

 carriage may be driven with safety. A drive should not run 

 parallel to the public road with the mere purpose of lengthening 



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the course, or seeming to prolong it. When the house is at a 

 comparatively short distance from the public road, on a much 

 higher level, and the object is apparent to overcome the difference 

 of level, then the resource may be adopted. It is to be remarked 



