62 



LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



walks and the appropriate accompaniments 

 are retained, the flower-beds should, in my 

 opinion, be characterized by the same pre- 

 cision and regularity. I have treated them 

 upon that principle at Somerhill, one of the 

 finest specimens of the Elizabethan mansion 

 with which I am acquainted.* As, however, 

 beds of this description, being necessarily 

 filled with flowers of low growth, have rather 

 a flat and tame appearance, their effect will 

 be greatly improved by a border, which will 

 elevate them above the lawn, and, by pro- 

 ducing a variety of light and shadow, will give 

 richness and variety to the mass. The border 

 may be made of wood or iron, painted to re- 

 semble stone, which will unite them more 

 harmoniously with the masonry of the house, 

 terrace, walls, &c, at the same time that it will 

 relieve them from the lawn better than any 

 other colour. The height of the border will 

 depend upon the size of the beds : for those 

 of moderate size, about six inches will be 

 sufficient. When of larger dimensions, a foot 



* It is hoped that such references to different places 

 will be taken as they are intended, viz., to give an oppor- 

 tunity of comparing the principles laid down with their 

 actual effect. 



