TASTE AND TACT IN ARRANGING HOME AND OTHER GROUNDS. 651 



like of which is wholly absent in the present plan. 

 This is simply an ample grass plat, bounded by 

 graceful walks of irregular course, and embellished 

 away from the center with trees like elms, oaks, 

 maples, birches, lindens, etc., which reach magnifi- 

 cent sizes in time. This plat, essentially the main 

 feature of the garden and surrounded by a great 

 variety of attractive features on all sides, affords the 

 base for endless vistas in all directions over the 

 garden's surface and beyond. The broad open cen- 

 ter of this area will, if carried out, contribute more 

 of character and magnificence to the entire garden 

 than any other one feature. The view from the 

 arbor should be especially fine. 



I. This is a part which for the 

 sake of variety is designed to be 

 slightly intricate. It would be an 

 excellent spot for locating a rock- 

 ery or an Alpine garden. 



J is a marginal plat, long and 

 narrow, planted with trees, shrubs 

 and flowers in irregular order. 

 This would be a suitable place 

 for accumulating masses of 

 strong - growing, hardy flowers, 

 shrubs, etc. 



The portion of the grounds 

 marked K and N lies beyond the 

 mill-race. This, it is suggested, 

 may be made accessible by a foot- 

 bridge and walk. The planting 

 could consist of a general assort- 

 ment of hardy growths, including 

 some of the coarser-growing trees 

 like willows, poplars, larches al- 

 ders, pines, etc. Here should be 

 the place for introducing a wild 

 garden ; that is, a collection of 

 native and other plants that thrive 

 readily in uncultivated places. 



L indicates what could be done 

 in the way of an artificial exten- 

 sion of the mill-race to obtain a 

 small lakelet, isles, bays, penin- 

 sula, etc., for securing a water 

 view with charming reflections. 

 Of soil excavated in forming the 

 lakelet, a large share might be 

 used in making a small mound at the point where 

 an arbor is shown. With the land being naturally 

 flat, such an elevation, with the corresponding de- 

 pression gained in making the lakelet, would give 

 spirit and increased interest to the entire garden. 

 It would be the objective point of every one's stroll 



through the garden. In forming the sloping sides, 

 care should be taken to have these meet the regular 

 surface without any signs of abruptness. Along the 

 margin of the water, and in it, aquatic and bog 

 plants in large variety could be introduced. 



Plat M is a simple grass area to be adorned with 

 large-growing trees in the outskirts towards the 

 orchard, and with some shrub and tree groups else- 

 where. A small bay extending back from the race 

 is suggested for this point, to break the west line 

 of the water's edge and contribute strength to the 

 lake-effect. 



A single unfortunate fact in the present case re- 



Improved Plan of Grounds in St. Catherines, Ontario. 



mains to be noted. It is, that a person, after fol- 

 lowing the best plan at hand, should find himself so 

 dissatisfied as to undo the work and carry out a new 

 plan at considerable additional expense. In no Work 

 is the adage, " Be sure you're right, then go ahead," 

 so entitled to regard as in that of garden-making. 



