JUNE. 263 



In the plantations are a great variety of ornamental shrnbs 

 and low trees, which already produce considerable effect. 

 Common herbaceous plants and annuals are likewise grown 

 in some of the borders, to make them a little gay in the sum- 

 mer. A belt of terrace and villa sites has been lately formed 

 around the park, which, when built up, will be of the great- 

 est use in concealing the many mean looking houses which 

 now show themselves so repulsively. 



Nothing, in fact, could be more desirable in the arrange- 

 ment of public parks like this, than to provide in the plan 

 for an irregular belt of terraces and villas on all but the more 

 open sides, as the directors of the park can then shut out what 

 is disagreeable, and obtain, by judiciously placing those struc- 

 tures, and adapting the plantations to them, and keeping a 

 control over their external forms, a series of most delightful 

 and ornamental accompaniments. 



In addition to the five parks already described, the author- 

 ities have secured 200 acres in the vicinity of Vauxhall and 

 Lambeth, and commenced improving it ; it is called Battersea 

 Park. Another park is projected in the Finsbury district, to 

 contain 300 acres. 



A great number of public squares are located in the older 

 parts of the city, many of which are admirably planted and 

 kept. In the suburbs around London are many commons, 

 forming invaluable substitutes for parks. Indeed, a few of 

 them are already as good as parks in respect to affording 

 breathing-places, while they have the further merit of being 

 always open to the public. 



A NEW GARDEN ENGINE. 



In the cool and moist climate of Great Britain it would 

 scarcely seem necessary to resort to artificial watering. Yet 

 those who are familiar with English Avorks upon gardening 

 will recollect how frequently this operation is recommended 

 in the growth of various crops. The gooseberry, straw- 

 berry, &c., among fruits, — the dahlia, aster, hollyhock, &,c., 



