SITE OF THE HOUSE AND OF THE GARDENS. 



THERE are certain leading considerations that should rule our 

 determination in choosing the site for either a house or a garden, 

 which considerations may almost be taken as independent of taste, 

 and more in the nature of necessary conditions. They may be 

 defined as (a) aspect relation to the points of the compass ; 

 (b] prospect relation to the surrounding view ; (c) natural shelter ; 



(d) convenience in regard to the approaches, and in respect of com-, 

 munication with stables and out-offices, as well as with the gardens ; 



(e) the levels of the land ; (f) the formation of the subsoil. 

 Each of these questions will be treated in turn. 



(a). The forms of houses, and the position of the principal i;ooms 

 in them, are so varied that it is difficult to put down a rule that 

 shall be absolute for all, even in the matter of aspect. In the 

 southern and midland counties of England, however, there is no 

 doubt that the main line of the house should be S.E. If the 

 sides of a house form a square, and the front be to the S.E., it would, 

 as the sun in summer rises N. of E., and sets N. of W., have 

 sunlight on all its walls ; whereas if the front of the house 

 were placed due S., the N. face would lack sunshine, while that 

 to the S. would probably have too much. The effect of such 

 conditions on the comfort of the house is enormous and constant, 

 and should never be undervalued. A house thus placed enjoys 



