The general position and character of this place have been described at p. 239, but with especial reference to the field and the shrubbery walk. It may now be stated that the gardens take the inclination of the land, already noticed, and fall to the south-west, but they also descend, in a cross slope, to the northwest. It has been noted that the stable-yard is eighteen feet higher than the house-yard, and the farm-yard is ten feet higher still. From the junction of the farm-yard with the garden-yard, there is a further rapid ascent towards the gardener's cottage, this latter being more than fifty feet above the level of the ground at the house, and standing on the edge of a steep bank, which drops suddenly into the hollow through which the stream flows.

In the kitchen garden there is a rise from the west to the south corners of fourteen feet, and a similar rise of fourteen feet from the south to the east corners; the ascent in the two other sides being exactly the same. The lawn to the east of the raised walk (10) which forms the eastern boundary of the flowergarden, rises with a comparatively easy slope till it comes opposite the south corner of the kitchen-garden, (always having an inclination southwards at the same time,) and then dips rather abruptly into a deep hollow by the stream. The Rose-walk and borders (51) are on the upper edge of that hollow. After crossing the stream, the shrubbery-walk (55) winds northwards up another ascent, and the large plantation placed between the lines of this walk is on the highest ground of all, and is provided as an extra means of shelter from the east winds.

Those who have been able to follow me through this state. ment will perceive that the natural features of the place present great facilities for picturesque treatment; and, as will be seen from the plan, the various buildings have been spread out over a broad area, and at different levels, so as to give breadth to the homestead, and support to the house, and to prevent the latter from appearing isolated. This was the more needful, as there is a bare fell immediately behind the estate, and Underscar is almost the highest residence, as regards position, in the locality. Masses of trees have likewise been inserted in the farm and garden-yards, and around the drying-ground, and especially to the north of the house, with the view of backing up and furnishing the place better; and most of these planta

tions, being on much higher ground than the neighbouring buildings, will have an earlier and more complete influence in producing the desired result.

It should be further mentioned, that there is a range of lofts, coachman's apartments, and store-rooms, over the stables, coachhouse, &c., with a clock-turret in the centre; and the floor of these upper apartments being on the same level as the floor of the buildings in the farm-yard, and these last having no upper story, the entire block falls into an artistic as well as convenient group. The summer-house (6) taking the form of a belvidere tower, also, open at the sides of the upper story, and the kitchengarden walls being in a series of ascending steps, with piers, and the gardener's cottage having a picturesque outline, and a complete harmony of style being preserved throughout, considerable boldness of architectural composition will be eventually attained.

All the architectural elevations have been designed by my friend Mr. Verelst, of Liverpool. The house is in the ruder and more rustic variety of the Italian style, with flattish roofs and very wide eaves, and bold cantalivers beneath the latter. Similar projection and cantalivers are given to the roof of the conservatory. An effective campanile rises above the entrance porch, and the northern end is carried up into a low extra story, while the part between it and the body of the house is slightly depressed. All the remaining buildings are in the same manner, but a little ruder in the details of construction; and all are roofed with slates of a similar kind and colour. The material of the house is a light grey stone, undressed, and of excellent quality, with quoins and window-dressings of drab-coloured freestone. The ornamental and garden walls and the outbuildings of all kinds are of the same grey stone, which is obtained in the neighbourhood.

From the happy circumstance that the stream, where it enters the land, is more than forty feet higher than the platform on which the house is built, and the water being of the best quality, the garden, plant-houses, stables, and house can all receive a natural supply of water, which can thus be carried to the very top of the house.

It will be unnecessary to do more than merely point to the fact that each part of this place is made to fit into its neighbouring part without loss of ground or sacrifice of convenience, and that

almost everything that can be wanted in a rural residence is here supplied. There is a secondary short drive to the house, from the upper road, and a branch from this leads directly to the stables and the house-offices. Only a foot-path actually enters the house-yard, but coal and wood sheds, lying under the back road at 15, and opening to the house-yard below, these things may be shot at once from carts into their proper depositories. A path from the back road allows communication. with the poultry-yard, which is kept apart from the farm-yard, so that the family may visit it without necessarily going into the latter. The stable-yard is connected with the kitchengarden, for the purpose of conveying manure; and hay, straw, &c., need not be brought into the stable-yard, but are supplied through the lofts which communicate with the farm-yard; this last having a gate into it from the upper road. The gardenyard is similarly entered from the public road, and the gardener's cottage has an independent entrance from the outside, through its own yard. On its south-western side, the cottage also makes an excellent finish to the Rose-walk. It may be observed, finally, that the circular plot, round which the walk passes, on the lawn in front of the kitchen-garden, is opposite the entrance to the conservatory and the centre of the flower-garden, and is occupied with a specimen of Araucaria imbricata.

PART IV.

PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS.

QUESTIONS of taste, even in relation to the smallest matters, having now been discussed to as great an extent as is compatible with the limits of a book like the present, I have only further to notice a few things respecting the actual execution of work; and these refer rather to matters of expense or comfort, and the elements of success in cultivation. Of them, likewise, it may be truly said, as of points in taste, that little considerations will often be far from light or trifling in their influence, but may determine altogether the propriety or undesirableness of any particular course. Indeed, the nearer we approach to subjects entirely practical, the more weighty and important will every topic of inquiry become; in proportion as necessary things are of greater moment than such as are merely desirable.

As books, however, can only deal with general points of practice, there will not be much in this part of the work to detain us long. The more minute details belong rather to the business of ordinary gardening than to that of laying out and forming a place.

1. The first operation on land that has to be newly arranged will be to drain it thoroughly. No description of ornamental or useful plants will thrive well upon undrained ground, that is not naturally dry and open; nor can such land ever yield any permanent enjoyment and comfort. A cold damp soil is decidedly uncongenial to both animal and vegetable life.

Drainage is not merely valuable in the removal of the stagnant water which is so injurious to plants, and so productive of discomfort it also has the direct effect of making the soil warmer, and admitting air and gases freely. The temperature of ground that is saturated with water can never be greatly increased, by

whatever power of sun it may be acted upon; nor can air circulate properly through a liquid medium. Warmth and air to the roots being therefore essential to the healthy growth and fertility of plants, drainage becomes of the highest consequence in soils that are naturally wet.

Deep drainage is now generally admitted to be the only effectual mode, for any description of land; but this is especially the case with garden-ground. The roots of many vegetables, and most trees and shrubs, strike down so far into the earth, that shallow drains would be continually in the way of their progress, and would be very liable to be choked or injured by them. The more close, hard, and retentive the subsoil may be, moreover, the stronger will be the necessity for deep drains. Still, any extravagant depth need never be attempted. Three feet six inches to four feet below the ordinary surface will, in general, be the utmost depth required for common drains; and main drains should be two or three inches deeper. Where the substratum is only sandy, three feet for the ordinary drains will usually be enough. They can be about three inches wide at the bottom, and fourteen or sixteen inches, or just enough to admit the draining tool conveniently, at the top; keeping the main drains one or two inches wider at the bottom, in accordance with the size of the tiles to be employed. Common drains, in gardens, may be in parallel lines of not more than five yards apart, and nearer if the soil be very heavy.

Tiles or pipes are the materials most frequently chosen for draining land, though they are certainly not the best for gardens, or where trees have to be planted. They are very apt to become filled up or obstructed by the roots of plants entering them, or by the action of moles, rats, rabbits, &c. Drains formed with rubble-stone, or any similar material, are, therefore, superior to tile-drains in gardens or plantations. Where rock is plentiful, it can be broken into pieces of two to three inches diameter, and placed loosely in the common drains, to the depth of twelve or fifteen inches; or similar pieces of broken brick, flint, coarse gravel, large cinders or clinkers, or whatever else of a like nature abounds in the district, can be used instead of rock. A rubble drain should not be less than five or six inches wide at the bottom.

For main drains, however, tiles or pipes of three or four inches in diameter, with flat slate or stone soles for the tiles to stand