46 



PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



of tlie plaiits_, there may be said to be only three main 

 varieties of gronnd-coloiTring in flower-gardens^, — yiz., 

 the green of tlie grassy tnrf, the black or dark brown of 

 the cultivated soil^ and the tints of the gravely varying in 

 particular cases from bright brown to bluish grey ; and 

 the extent to which each of these colours is visible, either 

 apart or in combination, gives a distinct expression to 

 the whole scene. The flower-garden may be formed with 

 walks, borders, and flower- plots, without any inter- 

 mingling of grass turf, and, if well laid out, and kept in 

 good order, it has, in summer and autumn, when the 

 ground is covered with plants, a rich and varied effect ; 

 but at other seasons it has a bare and stripped appear- 

 ance, and, presenting little else than the sombre hue of 

 the naked ground, exhibits scarcely aught that can in- 

 terest or attract. On the other hand, a flower-garden 

 formed on a ground- work of grass lawn, with walks and 

 borders well arranged and attended to, has at all seasons 

 a clothed effect ; and though in winter the grass has a 

 less lively tint, yet it still looks like a carpeted apart- 

 ment with some of its more showy decorations awanting. 

 The flower-garden without grass is then like a house 

 which has not only lost its carpets^ but nearly its whole 

 furniture. We do not wish unduly to depreciate the one 

 style of garden, and to exalt the other beyond its merits. 

 In the garden composed entirely of walks and borders 

 and flower-plots, a much greater number and variety of 

 plants may be grown, and very beautiful scenes may be 

 produced by means of these, together with flowering 

 shrubs and evergreens. But the grass flower-garden, 

 from the simplicity and quiet repose of its well-arranged 

 lawns, has a much finer effect at all seasons. The colour 

 of the walks, taken in connection with theu* number and 



