392 
LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
of greater or less importance. The surrounding wall, which 
supports its level, may also vary from one to eight feet. The 
terrace, in the better class of English residences, is paved with 
smooth flag stones, or in place of this, a surface of firm well- 
rolled gravel is substituted. In residences where a parapet or 
balustrade would be thought too expensive, a square stone or 
plinth is placed at the angles or four corners of the terrace, 
which serves as the pedestal for a vase or urn. When a 
more elegant and finished appearance is desirable, the parapet 
formed of open work of stone, or wood painted in imitation 
of stone, rises above the level of the terrace two or three feet 
with a suitably bold coping. On this, vases may be placed, 
not only at the corners, but at regular intervals of ten, twen- 
ty, or more feet. We have alluded to the good effect of 
climbers, here and there planted, and suffered to intermingle 
their rich foliage with the open work of the parapet and its 
crowning ornaments. In the climate of Philadelphia, the 
Giant Ivy, with its thick sculpturesque looking masses of 
foliage, would be admirably suited to this purpose. Or the 
Virginia Creeper, (the Ivy of America,) may take its place in 
any other portion of the Union. To these we may add, the 
Chinese twining Honeysuckle, (Lonicera flexuosa,) and the 
Sweet-scented Clematis, both deliciously fragrant in their 
blossoms, — with many other fine climbers which will readily 
recur to the amateur. 
There can be no reason why the smallest cottage, if its oc- 
cupant be a person of taste, should not have a terrace decora- 
ted in a suitable manner. This is easily and cheaply effected 
by placing neat flower-pots on the parapet, or border and 
angles of the terrace, with suitable plants growing in them. 
For this purpose, the American or Century Aloe , a formal 
architectural-looking plant, is exceedingly well adapted, as it 
