FLOWER-GARDENS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



263 



are represented, such as are employed singly or 

 in combination with others, and as suggestions 

 it is assumed that they will be found useful 

 to those who desire beds of peculiar pattern. 

 We repeat, however, that for the majority of 

 plants, the simpler the outline of bed the 

 better. 



beds on each side of a straight walk, curvilinear 

 beds of the form represented in fig. 334 are 

 sometimes used, being less monotonous than a 

 succession of straight-lined figures, even when 

 these are connected together by circles. Formal 

 subjects, as Cypresses, Irish Yews, trimmed 

 Box, Portugal Laurel, and Laurustinus, or stan- 



In cases where it is desirable to have flower- dard Roses, may be planted in the circles 



Fig. 334. 



between the S-like beds. The device is also 

 well adapted for surrounding parterres laid out 

 in the geometrical style. 



The free symmetrical style, sometimes called the 

 mixed, the irregular, and the gardenesque, as its 

 name implies, is more free and less formal in 

 treatment than the geometrical, and for this 

 reason is preferable for most situations. In this 

 style the form of the beds may be altogether 

 of a more varied description, the outlines differ- 

 ing according to the nature of the surround- 

 ings, the requirements of the situation, and the 

 species of plants with which it is to be planted. 

 In this style, also, a flower-garden may to a 

 great extent consist of beds the outlines of which 

 may be so informal as, in a great measure, 

 to conceal the regularity and a certain degree 

 of stiffness that is consequent upon, or more or 

 less inseparable from the planting or arranging 

 of flowering-plants in this way. 



Formation of Beds. — A line and measuring- 

 rods will be necessary, and a chain with foot 

 links, or a measuring-tape, will likewise be con- 

 venient. For tracing the outlines of small 

 figures wooden compasses will be useful. A 

 large T square, with each bar say 10 feet in 

 length, with the cross-bar movable, so as to be 

 set at any angle, will facilitate many operations. 

 There is little difficulty in laying down any 

 individual figure on the ground, if the plan be 

 truly drawn to scale; but where a design con- 

 sists of a number of figures, each of which must 

 not only be correct in itself, but likewise occupy 

 its proper position with reference to the others, 

 accurate measurements and method are required. 



Fig. 335 will appear complicated to some per- 

 sons, but it may, nevertheless, be laid down 

 correctly on the ground without the necessity 



of constructing many squares. Mark the corners 

 of the square to be laid out as shown in the figure 

 with pegs; find the centre of each side, and on 

 each side of these centres lay off half the in- 

 tended breadth of the walks, driving in pegs 

 at that distance. Every two adjoining pegs 

 will thus be at a distance from each other 

 equal to the breadth of the walk. Stretch 



Fig. 335.— Geometrical Flower-garden. 



a line from each peg to the one immediately 

 opposite to it on the other side of the ground, 

 which will thus be divided into four squares, 

 each obtruding upon its neighbouring squares 

 by a distance equal to half the breadth of the 

 walk, and four smaller squares within these 

 which do not intrude upon each other. Find 

 the centres of the larger squares by drawing 

 lines from corner to corner; drive in pegs to 

 mark these centres, and one in the centre of the 

 square of ground, which will likewise be found 



