VILLA GARDENS. 



15 



with the Tulip-tree, the Catalpa, the Horsechestnut, the 

 Platanus, and other large-leaved exotic trees, to whose 

 number the Paulownia may now be added. Loudon's 

 account of the Ailanthus shows how well it is adapted 

 for towns. " Its leaves are not liable to be attacked by 

 insects, which is a very great recommendation ; and they 

 continue on the tree, and retain their green colour, till 

 the first frosts in November, when the leaflets drop sud- 

 denly off, the petioles remaining on often a week or two 

 longer. The tree grows in any soil, though one that is 

 light and somewhat humid, and a sheltered situation, suit 

 it best. In France, it is said to thrive on chalky soils, 

 and attain a large size, where scarcely any other tree 

 will grow. It is readily propagated by cuttings of the 

 roots." 



VILLA GARDENS. 



The town gardener is restricted to growing what he 

 can, and must be content to think that he has not 

 laboured in vain if he can make a respectable display of 

 foliage and flowers, no matter of what genera and spe- 

 cies, exotic or native. A villa gardener has better 

 opportunities, both as to greater extent of space and 

 more favourable conditions of growth. Still, even he 

 will be controlled by limits and prohibitive circumstances, 

 which he can neither break through nor go beyond. He 

 may not be able to grow yellow roses, nor to make the 

 scenery outside his boundary line subservient to that 

 within it. His next-door neighbours, on either side, 

 may be as opposite as the poles to himself in point of taste. 

 Still, he has much within his reach. A great point in 

 successful villa-gardening, is to carry out well one sole 

 idea. Great variety there cannot be, nor contrast, in 

 the moderate area of ground which most villas possess ; 

 but there may be high finish, perfect good taste, choice 

 selection, and manifestation of wealth, science, and skill. 

 To attain this happy end, there must be unity oe 

 design ; without it, except by the merest accident, there 

 will be merely a jumbling hotch-potch or chance-medley 



