ON LAYING OUT A FLOWER GARDEN. 15 



if he avoid incongruity of arrangement the end is accom- 

 plished. But, in commencing these operations, a design 

 should be kept in view that will tend to expand, improve, 

 and beautify the situation ; not, as we too frequently see it, 

 the parterre and borders with narrow walks up to the very 

 household entrance : such is decidedly bad taste, unless com- 

 pelled for want of room. For perspicuity, admit that the 

 area to be enclosed should be from one to three acres, a cir- 

 cumambient walk should be traced at some distance within 

 the fence, by which the whole is enclosed ; the inferior walks 

 should partly circumscribe and intersect the general surface 

 in an easy, serpentine, and sweeping manner, and at such 

 distances as would allow an agreeable view of the flowers 

 when walking for exercise. Walks may be in breadth from 

 three to twenty feet, although from four to ten feet is gene- 

 rally adopted; and, to have these dry and permanent, those 

 that are to be much used should have six to eight inches of 

 the bottom soil dug out in a concave manner, and in the 

 centre of the concave dig out a trench of about nine inches 

 square to form a drain, which may be made with brick or 

 filled with rough stone, and the concave may be filled with 

 refuse of buildings or broken stone within three inches of 

 the desired height, which should be covered with gravel, and 

 then firmly rolled with a heavy roller. Where the gravel 

 cannot be obtained, sand may be used, mixed with a few 

 small stones to bind it, but such needs very repeated rolling. 

 Walks, such as described, when completely finished, will last 

 for ages ; but many will not be disposed to go to such ex- 

 pense; to those we say use tanner's bark, which is very 

 cheap, and accessible to all. The outer margin of the gar- 

 den should be planted with the largest trees and shrubs ; the 

 interior arrangement may be in detached groups of shrub- 

 bery and parterres. In order that the whole should not 

 partake of a uniform and graduated character, it should be 

 broken and diversified by single trees planted in the turf, or 

 arising in scattered groups from a base of shrubs. In some 

 secluded spot, rock-work or a fountain, or both, may be 

 erected ; the foundation of the former should consist of 

 mounds of earth, which will answer the purpose of more 

 solid erections, and will make the stones go farther : rocks 

 of the same kind and color should be placed together, and 

 the greatest possible variety of character, size, and form 



