THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



80o 



the lawn, shrubbery, &c. The extent of ground occupied tor 

 this purpose is not easily determined, but it is always better 

 to have too much than too little. The taste of the owner, 

 the expense which he may be disposed to incur in pro- 

 perly laying it out, and afterwards of keeping it in order, 

 should be considered ; and the natural situation of the grounds 

 and style of the house should not be overlooked. In con- 

 sidering this part of the charge of the gardener, we will, for 

 perspicuity, divide it into difierent heads, and consider them 

 under the denomination of the Lawn, the Shrubbery, the 

 Arboratum, and the Flower Garden. 



LAWN. 



The lawn is defined to be an open space of short grass- 

 ground, immediately surrounding the mansion or family resi- 

 dence, and when extended in the principal fronts, adds con- 

 siderably to the neatness and grandeur of its appearance, by 

 laying them open, and admitting a more extensive prospect 

 from the principal windows. 



Where there is sufficient scope of ground, the lawn should 

 be as, large as the situation will admit of, as, after its forma- 

 tion and planting, the expense is not considerable of keeping- 

 it up. The lawn should be bounded by elegant groupes of 

 shrubbery, but not in continued lines, so as to give the ap- 

 pearance of termination to any part. It should be, as it were, 

 lost in the park, from which it can be divided either by ha-has, 

 or neat and substantial wire-fences ; which, while they prevent 

 the intrusion of catde, will not be visible as such from the 

 mansion. Every thing having the appearance of boundary 

 or fence should be carefully avoided, and the planting of the 

 lawn so managed as to harmonize with the scenery that sur- 

 rounds the whole. Care should be taken, in planting the 

 lawn, not to shut out desirable objects, such as fine trees, 

 picturesque views of plantations, cottages, villages, &c., if at 

 sufficient distance. But such objects as are of a disagreeable 

 nature, where they cannot be either removed or improved, 

 should be planted out. In planting a new lawn, it is often 

 necessary to plant thick, to produce a more immediate eflcct, 



