which face towards the south. A long, natural slope of grass is often very beautiful; but, on examination, it will be found that it is free from that dead, mechanical uniformity common in artificial works. Perhaps, however, light has the greatest influence in this respect-a fact very much overlooked in landscape gardening. The surface of the slope is turned up towards the light; and so it wants that variety of shade which even a plain wall exhibits at different periods of the day. Accordingly it is found that, when facing the north, and in an inferior degree when facing the east and west, these grass slopes are always more effective than when turned to the south, for in this last position they are seldom seen in shade, and consequently have a bare and bald effect. Nevertheless a long deep grassy slope, closely shaven and neatly kept, is always popular, however ineffective it may be in the eye of refined taste. There are some means of relieving its monotony, which we shall indicate in the following paragraphs.

Shrubs on Terrace Banks.-Long bare slopes, and particularly when there are irregularities of surface which could be removed only with great labour and expense, should be wholly or partially covered with shrubs. When there is a considerable height of bank and breadth of slope, several effective terraces may be formed along the bank with walls, borders, and walks, and intermediate slopes planted with laurels, constantly kept down by pruning to the height of two or three feet. The interest and variety of these terraces are increased by scattering over them a few ornamental trees and shrubs, which may be allowed to assume their natural form, but should not be introduced in such numbers, or be permitted to grow to such a magnitude, as to injure the low

shrubs. These banks of low evergreens are more suited for southern slopes than grass is, as they are more permanently evergreen, and, from their greater intricacy, have more variety of light and shade than a closely-mown surface of grass can have.

Stairs on Terraces.-Flights of steps form an excellent means of decorating terraces. When connected with walls, they are susceptible of a considerable degree of ornament. Stairs on grass slopes afford less scope for decoration; vases placed on their sides may be deemed the most proper objects for this purpose. Stairs should be placed at the ends of terraces, as well as at their centres; they may be omitted in the latter position, but if they are only found there, they have a sensible effect in diminishing the appearance of length in the terraces by dividing them into halves. Properly, stairs should be in connection with walks, but they may sometimes be introduced without the latter. In either case, when there is more than one tier of terraces, the flights of stairs should be successively carried from the top to the bottom of the whole series. Anything short of this produces an uncomfortable feeling, as if some of the flights of stairs had been misplaced through perversity, or lost by mistake.

Upper Surfaces of Terraces.-We shall suppose that the architectural variety of terrace has been properly constructed, with a good wall in front, and a broad level above; the latter should be traversed by two spacious walks, one near the house, and the other along the wall. The intermediate space is to be occupied with flower-beds cut out of grass, or placed in gravel with box or stone edgings. Fountains, dials, vases, and other architectural ornaments, may be introduced with excel

lent effect. These may compose groups of themselves, or be made the centres of different groups of flower-beds. The character and arrangement of these objects should be in keeping with the style of the buildings around. In the case of terraces faced with grass slopes, the walks should be arranged as in the other variety. The flowerbeds should be laid out in grass-plots, or with broad verges, or with raised stone edgings round the figures cut in the grass. Small gravel walks, with box edgings, do not suit this style of terrace. Stone blocks supporting vases may be ranged along the tops of the banks, and also laurels grown in boxes and trained to represent the orange-trees used for this purpose on the Continent. The other processes of ornament are much the same as those referred to above, only, perhaps, they should be carried out in a plainer and lighter style.

The Flower Garden.-Among the most important and interesting portions of the pleasure-grounds is the flowergarden, when the place is extensive enough to afford room for its being formed into a separate department. In small residences, the whole of the flower-garden may be close to the house; but in those of considerable magnitude, it is always desirable that it should occupy a distinct section of the dressed grounds. In both cases, care should be taken to bring it into harmony with the general scenery, of which, indeed, it should form a constituent, though a more highly and minutely finished part. On this account, the principles which regulate the formation of the dressed grounds generally should also be held as applicable, with slight modifications, to the flower-garden. That garden, whether geometrical or otherwise, should be so arranged as not only to compose an effective whole, but also to exhibit such secondary

and minor grouping as will produce good individual groups in its divisional sections, when these are seen in positions from which the whole cannot be comprehended. From want of conformity with this principle, flowergardens have sometimes a fine effect when seen from one or two leading points of view; but when examined in detail, they lose all their interest, except what arises from individual plants, or masses of flowers and shrubs. Effective secondary and minor grouping not only adds to the beauty of fine plants, but very much improves the appearance of those which scarcely deserve that name.

Site of the Flower-Garden.-Convenience of access requires that the flower-garden should be at no great distance from the house. It may be separated from the other grounds by trees and shrubs, and if the kitchengardens are not remote, it may take an intermediate position between these and the house. The site should be warm, sunny, and dry, and well sheltered, though not shaded. It should be remembered that the beauty of the flower-garden arises more from its graceful arrangement and superior culture, than from fine views existing without its boundary. Such views, then, are not necessary to complete it, and a seeking after them may deprive the garden of that shelter which is absolutely indispensable to the successful cultivation of fine plants. This circumstance should be kept in mind, both in the selection of the site, and in the laying out of the component parts.

The Ground Colour of the flower-garden and of its walks has a considerable influence on the effect of its arrangements, and, as it varies, sometimes leads to the adoption of different styles of gardening. Independently

of the plants, there may be said to be only three main varieties of ground-colouring in flower-gardens,—viz., the green of the grassy turf, the black or dark brown of the cultivated soil, and the tints of the gravel, 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 intermingling 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 appearance, and, presenting little else than the sombre hue of the naked ground, exhibits scarcely aught that can interest 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 apartment 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 their number and