30 LAYING OUT GROUNDS. 



face may be made to exhibit effects truly delightful ; and where it 

 is small, and intended only for flower-beds, a gentle declivity pre- 

 sents opportunities to increase the beauties of the variegated blooms 

 of heart-delighting nature. Particular care should be taken against 

 an excess of moisture. 



It would be difficult to lay down general rules for the formation 

 of beds in the flower-garden, as so much depends on the taste of 

 the proprietor ; but it is a matter worthy of observation, that those 

 forms which approximate to regularity, as circles, ovals, segments, 

 squares, triangles, octagons, &c. are not so well adapted for pictu- 

 resque effect as irregular forms. 



On looking over a number of flower-beds of geometrical shapes, the 

 eye becomes familiar with them at a glance, and is soon tired of their 

 formality ; but when the forms are varied, and such as cannot readily 

 be carried in the mind, the additional charm of perpetual novelty 

 is a strong inducement to retrace the enchanting scene through all 

 the varieties of form and beauty. (Plate 3.) 



For the walks of a flower-garden gravel is preferable to grass : 

 although, where the walks are numerous, grass may have the better 

 appearance, yet the difficulty in keeping it neat, and free from 

 moisture, gives to gravel a decided preference. 



The edges for the beds may consist of various species of saxifrage, 

 statice, and other small Alpine plants : a turf verge is preferable to 

 box, as it partakes less of formality. 



