Garden Metnoranditms. 



611 



152 



{fig- 152.), from the suitableness of the situation, the stability and simpli- 

 city of the form, and the durability of the 

 materials. Something also must be attributed 

 to the weather and the state of our feelings 

 — the day being fine, and we just reHeved 

 from ten days' incessant excitement; and 

 with money enough in our pockets for a fort- 

 night's free enjoyment in that first of all 

 our enjoyments, travelling in search of in- 

 formation. Had this building been placed in 

 a flat field, it would probably have escaped our notice : so ujuch does the 

 effect of structures in the country depend on situation. In the town the 

 155 beauty of buildings is in a great measure absolute; in the 



country it is almost always relative. Draining tiles {fig- 1 53.) 

 snd the pressing plough {fig. 154.), are much in use in this 

 country. The pressing plough consists of two cast-iron wheels 

 which follow a common plough, and form two small gutters 

 on the back of the 

 furrow ; the furrow 

 being laid flat to admit 

 of two wheels passing 

 along it. Each of these 

 wheels is kept clean by 

 a scraper, {fig. 155.) 

 The advantages of using 

 the pressing plough are said to be, that the seeds root into a firm bed, and 

 are therefore not so likely to be thrown out by the 

 frost ; and that the plants rise in rows, which admits 

 of their being trod or harrowed between. In light 

 sandy soils it is considered as good as dibbling ; and 

 we see no reason why a small drill should not be 

 added to the pressing plough, so as to deposit the 

 seed with greater accuracy than can be done by the hand broadcast. A 

 broad-leaved elm, apparently what is called the Scotch elm, is here common 

 in plantations and hedge rows ; its timber is superior to that of the narrow- 

 leaved elm, and it is not apt to throw up suckers ; but as it is a widely 

 spreading tree, it is more injurious to crops: in masses or strips it is 

 valuable, and in a park it is very desirable. Pigeons are here remark- 

 ably common. Instead of lead for the ridges of roofs stone is used, cut and 

 painted to imitate that metal, from the ambition of being thought rich enough 

 to use it, or at least from an allusion to the mansions of the rich ; in London 

 lead is sometimes painted in imitation of stone, to prevent the colour from 

 attracting thieves. The lime of this part of the country, when made into 

 mortar, sets under water ; consequently external plaster and the jointing 

 in brickwork and masonry are very durable. Plaster flooring is also 

 common, and is at once durable and less sonorous than boarded floors ; 

 if executed on brick arches abutting on cast-iron rafters, tied by wrought-iron 

 rods, as invented by Mr. Strut of Belper, and practised in building most 

 manufactories, and in the whole of the building operations going on by 

 Colonel Wildman at Newstead Abbey, they become fire proof To turn 

 such arches in the best manner two sizes of bricks are necessary, the smaller 

 for the middle part of the arch. In dwelling-houses these arches and ribs 

 may form the groundwork of very handsome coved ceilings ; and if they 

 were to become general, the improvement would be not less elegant in ap- 

 pearance than important as lessening the risk from fires. The roads here 

 are generally metaled with round land or river stones, and it is a gratifying 

 sight to see the comparatively interesting manner in which these stones are 

 broken ; we say gratifying and interesting, because breaking stones upon a 

 public road has hitherto been considered as the lowest and dullest de?crip- 



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