Jan.] FLOWER GARDEN. jm 



trees, shrubs and flowers, which consequently are more beautiful 

 than continued ranges of close hedges; but for the sake of variety, 

 a little ornamental hedge-work might still be introduced in some 

 particular parts of the ground. 



Labyrinths or mazes of hedge-work, in the manner of a wilder- 

 ness, also prevailed in many large gardens. 



A labyrinth is a maze or sort of intricate wilderness plantation, 

 abounding with hedges and walks, formed into many windings and 

 turnings, leading to one common centre, extremely difficult to find 

 out, designed in large pleasure-grounds by way of amusement. 



It is generally formed with hedges, commonly in double rows, 

 leading in various intricate turnings backward and forward, with 

 intervening plantations and gravel walks alternately between hedge 

 and hedge; the great aim is to have the walk contrived in so many 

 mazy, intricate windings to and fro, that a person may have much 

 difficulty in finding out the centre, by meeting with as many stops 

 and disappointments as possible; for he must not cross or break 

 through the hedges; so that in a well contrived labyrinth a stranger 

 will often entirely lose himself so as not to find his way to the 

 centre nor out again. 



As to plans of them, it is impossible to describe such by words, 

 any further than the above hints, and their contrivance must prin- 

 cipally depend on the ingenuity of the designer. 



But as to the hedges, walks, and trees, the hedges are usually 

 made of hornbeam, beech, elm, or any other kind that can be kept 

 neat by clipping. The walks should be five feet wide at least, laid 

 with gravel, neatly rolled and kept clean; and the trees and shrubs 

 to form a thicket of wood between the hedges, may be of any hardy 

 kinds of the deciduous tribe, interspersed with some evergreens; 

 and in the middle of the labyrinth should be a spacious opening, 

 ornamented with some rural seats and shady bowers, &c. 



Sometimes small labyrinths are formed with box-edgings and 

 borders for plants, with handsome narrow walks between, in imi- 

 tation of the larger ones, which have a very pleasing and amusing 

 ett'ect in small gardens. 



Detached trained figures of evergreens, as yew, cypress, juniper, 

 holly, box, and various other close-growing evergreen plants, were 

 also very predominant in ancient designs, and generally disposed 

 in regular ranges along the borders and other verges of grand 

 walks; being trained by clipping into various formal shapes, as 

 pyramids, obelisks, columns, Sec, in a variety of forms, with other 

 formal figures, all placed in the most exact arrangement. Some 

 also were often placed singly in the midst of some circle, octagon, 

 or other open space, and were all kept in order by clipping once or 

 twice every summer, and were considered as great ornaments. 



Straight rows of the most beautiful trees, forming long avenues 

 and grand walks, were in great estimation, considered as great 

 ornaments, and no considerable estate and eminent pleasure- 

 ground were without several of them. 



Regular grass slopes also greatly prevailed in most old gardens 

 as ornaments to particular divisions; sometimes such were formed 



