726 



TOWN AND SMALL SUBURBAN GARDENS. 



rafters, the front table being occupied 

 with heaths and smaller plants. The 

 potting-sheds, stoke-holes, &c, are very 

 properly placed in the courtyard behind. 

 Trainers for climbing plants, roses, vases, 

 flowering shrubs, rockwork, an arbour, 

 <fec, complete the whole. 



We shall now confine ourselves to villa 

 gardens of smaller dimensions than those 

 noticed at pp. 22, 23, and presume that 

 they are dedicated to flowers and plants 

 only. 



In villa gardens of the size and import- 

 ance of those we have already noticed, 

 the amateur may indulge in the cultiva- 

 tion of a considerable variety of plants, 

 shrubs, and trees ; but, as we descend in 

 the scale of size, so should we also limit 

 ourselves to fewer species, and those of 

 more humble growth. 



A villa garden under 3000 square feet in 

 area, or one that is 60 feet long and 50 in 

 breadth, should never attempt grass as a 

 ground- work, unless the garden be fully 

 exposed to the sun, and unsurrounded by 

 buildings, nor the introduction of fruit 

 trees or others exceeding 12 feet in 

 height. The former will not repay the 

 ground it covers, while the latter bear no 

 proportion to the space. If shutting out 

 a neighbour, or obtaining privacy and 

 seclusion be an object, it were better 

 to do so by wire fences of sufficient 

 height, and to make them the conductors 

 of rapid-growing evergreens or other 

 climbers. The taste for privacy and 

 seclusion in a garden appears to be almost 

 confined to our own country, the true 

 origin of which it is difficult to trace. 

 It may, however, to some extent be owing 

 to a sort of aristocratic pride which the 

 constitution of our country and our 

 increasing wealth has forced upon us, but 

 with which true taste and good sense 

 have little to do. If we enclose our small 

 villa gardens with high walls, or encom- 

 pass ourselves around with high-growing 

 trees or hedges, we destroy greatly their 

 healthy condition, by preventing a free 

 circulation of air around our dwellings, 

 as well as rendering the garden damp and 

 unwholesome even for the growth of 

 plants. Much, however, in this respect, 

 depends on situation. 



No villa garden under the size we have 

 stated above, should contain trees or 

 shrubs much higher than a full standard 



rose. Pole or pillar roses, however, when 

 the atmosphere is suitable, are, to a 

 limited extent, quite admissible. The 

 ground surface should be gravel or pave- 

 ment, as affording a dry walk at most 

 seasons, taking up less room than paths 

 or patches of grass, being less expensive to 

 keep, and far more likely to be kept in 

 good order. In confined situations the 

 plants may be, for the most part, grown in 

 large vases or tazzas, as elsewhere noticed ; 

 or on elevated borders, supported by sides 

 of masonry or rockwork. In such posi- 

 tions the plants will be better exposed to 

 the sun and air, two elements often 

 greatly awanting in closely pent-up villa 

 gardens. 



If in connection with an architectural 

 house, the parterres should be laid out in 

 the geometrical style ; the walks laid with 

 pavement or ornamental tiles, and well 

 drained below ; the edgings should be of 

 stone or slate, the beds of soil small, and 

 planted with small plants. The more sim- 

 ple forms may have box edgings and gravel 

 walks, while the more artistic should have 

 the decorations of vases, tazzas, and proba- 

 bly a fountain as near the centre as possible. 

 There are hundreds of beautiful flowering 

 plants which do not exceed 2 feet in height, 

 and those, with the exception of a few of 

 peculiarly graceful forms, should consti- 

 tute the collection. In such gardens all 

 coarse plants requiring the support of tall 

 stakes, such as dahlias, hollyhocks, &c, 

 should be discarded. 



The objection to grass in villa gardens, 

 and more especially in town ones, is, that 

 it is seldom found in good condition in 

 such places, and all the art of man cannot 

 render it so ; and unless grass be kept 

 nearly as smooth as a carpet, it gives the 

 garden the appearance of want of keeping, 

 although everything else should be in the 

 highest state possible. In a damp cli- 

 mate like ours it is seldom that grass is 

 fit to walk upon, in confined and perhaps 

 shaded places, till towards the after part 

 of the day — and to invalids, probably not 

 then ; and, in addition to all, it is expen- 

 sive to keep. 



There are two styles of villa gardens 

 we have long wished to see carried into 

 effect, and if not exceeding the size we 

 have stated above, they would be neither 

 expensive nor difficult to construct. The 

 one would be after the manner of the 



