352 



LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



of greater or less importance. The surrounding wall which 

 supports its level, may also vary from one to eight feet. The 

 terrace, in the better class of English residences, is paved with 

 smooth flag stones, or in place of this, a surface of firm well- 

 rolled gravel is substituted. In residences where a parapet or 

 balustrade would be thought too expensive, a square stone or 

 plinth is placed at the angles or four corners of the terrace, 

 which serves as the pedestal for a vase or urn. When a 

 more elegant and finished appearance is desirable, the parapet 

 formed of open work of stone, or wood painted in imitation 

 of stone, rises above the level of the terrace two or three feet 

 with a suitably bold coping. On this, vases may be placed? 

 not only at the corners, but at regular intervals of ten, twen- 

 ty, or more feet. We have alluded to the good effect of 

 climbers, here and there planted, and suffered to intermingle 

 their rich foliage with the open work of the parapet and its 

 crowning ornaments. In the climate of Philadelphia, the 

 Giant Ivy, with its thick sculpturesque looking masses of 

 foliage, would be admirably suited to this purpose. Or the 

 Virginia Creeper, (the Ivy of America,) may take its place in 

 any other portion of the Union. To these we may add, the 

 Chinese twining Honeysuckle, (Lonicera flexuosa,) and the 

 Sweet-scented Clematis, both deliciously fragrant in their 

 blossoms, — with many other fine climber^ which will readi- 

 ly recur to the amateur. 



There can be no reason why the smallest cottage, if its oc- 

 cupant be a person of taste, should not have a terrace deco- 

 rated in a suitable manner. This is easily and cheaply effect- 

 ed by placing neat flower-pots on the parapet, or border and 

 angles of the terrace, with suitable plants growing in them. 

 For this purpose, the American or Century Aloe^ a formal 

 architectural-looking plant, is exceedingly well adapted, as it 



