36 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



is really the quantity of soil available in a place which should 

 guide the operations. The rough-cast of the work is formed 

 with the subsoil. The thickness of the top soil required 

 depends on the quantity at command; but for a lawn, or for 

 turfed borders and verges, a coat of loin. to ift. is generally 

 allowed. The portions which are to be planted will require a 

 thickness of soil of at least 2ft. 



When the necessary thickness of top soil has been roughly 

 spread over the surface, it must be levelled by taking with the 

 shovel the soil forming the uneven surface, and filling up with 

 it the holes, thus giving to the surface a finished appearance. 

 Levelling is a delicate operation, which requires taste, clear sight, 

 and practice. For this work one cannot absolutely rely on the 

 points of level fixed on the plan. One has to be guided by 

 the effects produced. When the levelling has been done, the 

 whole should be slightly forked and raked over. The limits of 

 the flower-beds and the groups of shrubs should be marked, 

 the verges formed, the edges trimmed, and lastly the pegs should 

 be taken out. There remains to be done only the sowing of the 

 grass. 



Water. — The charm water gives to a landscape has been 

 pointed out in the introductory remarks. Whenever possible, it 

 should be utilised in the creation of gardens. If existing, it 

 must be preserved and its effects improved. In creating water 

 effects the gardener must restrict himself to natural fitness. A 

 stream rushing over a stony bed, leaping now and again over a 

 rocky barrier, and forming cascades full of boisterous life, 

 characterises mountainous or hilly surroundings ; while a placid 

 lake or a quiet, sleepy river running in sweeps across grassy 

 meadows belongs to the low-lying land : yet the latter in its 

 proper position equals in effect the wild mountain torrent. It 

 would be wrong, as already stated, to imitate artificially such 

 scenes amidst inappropriate surroundings. Small lakes, it is true, 

 may be met with on high grounds, but it is rather the exception 

 than the rule. Various effects are to be obtained by creating a 

 lake with its outlines forming bays, promontories, and creeks ; 

 but these must depend more or less upon the undulations of the 

 shores and the surrounding grounds, and on the different 

 obstacles the water has met with, or is supposed to have met 

 with, in breaking its way through. When creating a large lake, 

 it must, as before said, look natural, and the work of man must 

 not be apparent. In a small place it is not easy to deal with 



