LAYING-OUT OF HOETICULTURAL GARDENS, 



185 



found to be higlily convenient^ as affording seclusion for 

 experiment and slielter for delicate plants. These 

 enclosures require to be masked externally. The rest of 

 the garden should be rather open^ well provided with 

 walks^ and the arboretum and flower-garden^ in parti- 

 cularj should be interspersed and adorned with lawns of 

 varying size. In this quarter there should be a close 

 approach to the aspect of the private pleasm'e-ground. 



The decorated gromids should be ornamented vsdth 

 plant-stoves, conservatories, and greenhouses for the 

 growth and exhibition of the rare and showy exotics 

 that require protection or artificial heat. The proper 

 distribution and arrangement of these glazed struc- 

 tures are matters of primary importance. Perhaps 

 there is a tendency to mass them too much together. 

 We do not disapprove of imposing ranges of orna- 

 mental glass houses ; at the same time, we prefer 

 the divided interest of groups of two or three houses, 

 so placed as to form prominent objects on the prin- 

 cipal lawns. Perhaps some of these should be em- 

 ployed to lighten and diversify the effect presented 

 on ordinary occasions by the area left open for exhibi- 

 tions ; but to wall in that space all round with glazed 

 structures we think in worse taste than to leave it open 

 altogether. 



Speaking generally, we would say that the more deco- 

 rated parts of these gardens should be ia the highest 

 style of the art, and should combine the broad, winding, 

 and varied lawn of the pleasure-ground, with the richly 

 grouped beds and figures of the flower-garden. We 

 may add, that the trees, shrubs, and plants cultivated 

 should not be mere botanical rarities. Possessed of 

 some intrinsic ornamental properties either of elegance 



