Such a house as we have shown need not cost more than 750l.; and 250l. more will lay out and plant the garden, including the erection of the two pits. As so considerable a portion of the surface is under grass, the cost of yearly management will be much leas than if the whole, or even the greater part, were under the spade. The grassy surface, from o to the small fruit-garden (t), occupies three quarters of an acre; the house, walks, and other buildings, fully one quarter of an acre; leaving three quarters for flowers, fruits, and vegetables. This space might either he cultivated by the master, with the assistance of a labourer and a mowing-machine; or by a head gardener, with a labourer, or the occasional assistance of the house servant. In the case of this villa, however, as in most others, very little can be said with certainty as to the expense of management, unless the style in which the garden is to be kept be given as one of the data on which the calculation is to be made. High keeping may always be set down at double the expense of ordinary keeping.

 Expense And Management 59

202. Remarks

This residence, it is thought, would suit a citizen with a large family of children, or with a number of sisters, or grown-up daughters; as it would contain a fine display of flowers, and also abundant space for amusement on the lawn, on which a tent might be placed during summer. If the occupier were his own head-gardener, he would find something to do every day in the year. Instead of ornamental trees on the lawn, there might be fruit trees. The walls might also be planted.