rich, and made to resemble stone. The border for the beds on 
ides is generally common 
bm"nt clay tiles, 
of neat designs. 
Occasionally a 
vase is used 
for the center; 
and we have 
seen a little 
rockery occupy 
the place, but it 
is not the place 
for a rockery. 
The space not 
occupied by 
beds is covered 
with flagging or 
gravel. Some- 
times the side 
walls, and even 
iMKANCK COURT. thc front garden 
wall furnish support for rockeries, which then take the place of the borders shown in the engraving. 
We introduce this illustration for the encouragement of those dwellers in our cities and villages 
who have not yet learned how much can be made of little. 
BALCONY GARDENS. 
Those who have noticed the advance of rural taste in America durin<2^ the past thirty years 
have seen developments unequaled in any 
country, in any age of the world. Beautiful 
orchards and lawns, and gardens, and tasteful 
houses abound, where, a few years ago, we saw 
the crooked rail fence, the trees and stumps 
and small log cabins. We scarcely pass through 
a vdlage in any part of the countiy, but we 
see some place so nicely arranged, so beautiful, 
and possessing some feature so entirely new, 
that we are tempted to take out our pencil and 
make a sketch on the spot. 
We have to thank the architects in Roch- 
ester for planning houses with shady recesses 
over the front doors, 'which afford opportunity 
for the most elegant adornment, and which our 
people have not been slow to improve. We 
were so pleased with this feature, that we had 
drawings taken of two -which presented exhi- 
bitions of rural beauty that gave more pleasure 
to their owners and to the thousands who 
passed by, than would thousands of dollars 
expended in architectural display. With plenty 
of water, plants can be kept in such situations 
through the summer in perfect health. 
In the selection of plants for such places 
more regard must be had to elegant foliage 
than beautiful flowers ; but it is absolutely 
necessary to obtain those that will keep in 
perfection a long time, whether chosen for balcony ciAKDEN. 
foliage or flowers. Plants that rapidly attain their best estate, ripen and pass away, may be 
20 
