16 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



instances occur, in our own day, of very good gardens being 

 enclosed by hedges, paling, and other sorts of fences. 



The late Walter Nicol, who had a much greater experience 

 in the formation of gardens, than any other practical author 

 on the subject, gives the following directions on this head: 

 " In designing and laying out a modern garden, a degree of 

 taste, as well as fitness or propriety, ought to be displayed, 

 the basis of which is the right placing, proportioning, and 

 constructing of the walls. If these be properly set down, so 

 as to answer the cast of the ground, and be raised to proper 

 heights according to its extent, the rest is easy, and follows as 

 a matter of course." 



" In this particular branch of gardening, utility and simpli- 

 city ought to go hand in hand, othenvise a display of genuine 

 taste will be wanting. It is not in curves, circles, nor ogees, 

 that, in this instance, we derive any satisfaction. The direc- 

 tion of the walls, if the ground will admit of it, should always 

 be in a direct line. They may be built perpendicularly, or 

 they may be inclined so as to suit the general cast of the 

 ground ; but the nearer they approach the perpendicular, the 

 greater pleasure will they afford. The eye is distracted, and 

 the mind is impressed with fear, in beholding any building 

 apparently insecure. We can look on a mast placed obliquely, 

 or a tree glowing aslant, with firmness and satisfaction, because 

 we know the one is supported by ropes, and the other by roots, 

 but we look with a degree of distrust and of fear on a wall 

 running much off the perpendicular." 



After stating the necessary choice of the ground as regards 

 situation and shelter, which we have already treated on, Mr. 

 Nicol proceeds to recommend, that if " the north wall can be 

 placed quite level, and also the south wall, on a lower Jevel, 

 and so, as that the east and west walls shall fall fi'om north to 

 south a foot in thirty, or in twenty-five, or according to the 

 slope of the ground ; and if the ground be lengthened from 

 east to west, in the proportion of three to two, the extent 

 being two or three acres, on such a spot may be erected a 

 garden that will not fail to please." 



If the surface of the ground be of an unequal height, the 

 w^alls should be so also, and probably the best rule that can be 



