174 
PLANS OF RESIDENCES 
grounds, as between those of Plates VIII and IX ; the one here 
described having a less extent of drive, walks, and ornamental 
plantations than the plan shown by Plate XI. All the surround¬ 
ings are supposed to be the same, and the different modes of laying 
out the grounds are meant to represent simply the different tastes 
or means of occupants. Here the proprietor is supposed to desire 
grounds of the most simple character, which will be at the same 
time suitable to the mansion and the lot. The entrance road, 
turnway, and drive to the stable are the most direct and simple 
that can be made ; and they constitute also the only entrance 
walks to the house. Ninety feet of the rear of the lot is devoted 
to utilities, viz.: to carriage-house conveniences, to a kitchen- 
garden, and an orchard ; the ground in the latter being also de¬ 
voted to culture for small fruits and vegetables until the fruit trees 
are large enough to shadow the whole ground. The front two 
hundred and ten feet, is all devoted to the house and its ground 
embellishments. The drive is ten feet in width ; the circle around 
which it turns is thirty feet in diameter. An avenue of three elm 
trees on each side of the entrance-drive are its only decorations, 
though the street-trees in a line with them will give it the appear¬ 
ance of an avenue of eight instead of six trees. In the centre of 
the circle a pine tree is designated—to be a white pine if the soil 
•is sandy, otherwise an Austrian. These trees are chosen because 
they are of rapid and healthy growth, and cast their lower branches 
as they grow large, so that the lawn beneath them, while it is 
deeply shadowed, is not destroyed, and the view under the 
branches is unobstructed. This will be rather an objection than 
a merit with those persons who desire the main entrance to be 
quite secluded and concealed from view. We would recommend 
for them that the circle be planted with a group of firs, whose 
branches rest upon the ground during all stages of their growth, 
and would eventually cover the whole circle with an impene¬ 
trable mass of foliage. A single Norway spruce planted in 
the centre will do this. So, probably, would a Nordmanns fir, 
Picea nordvianiana. While these trees are small, the borders of 
the circle (supposing it to be desirable to shut out the view of the 
approach road from the porch) may be planted, four feet from the 
