The surface of the ground, in all these designs, is supposed to be even, and for the most part flat; in consequence of which, there can be no difficulty in laying out the roads and walks in any direction which the designer may think suitable. It may be asked, then, by what leading circumstance the designer is influenced in tracing the lines for the roads and walks, as shown in these plans? Is it arbitrary, depending on his particular taste; or is it guided by some circumstance in the situation, the wants of the proprietor, and the means which he places at the disposal of the artist? To these questions we answer, that all the main features, in laying out a place, are indicated by certain circumstances, either peculiar to the situation, or peculiar to the wants and means of the intended occupier. For example, the situation of the entrance lodge is determined by the point or side of the estate on which it touches the public road. If the road touches on only one point, there is, of course, no choice; but, if it borders the estate on one or more sides, then a point is chosen for the entrance which it is considered may be most convenient for use, and may show the place off to visiters entering by it to the greatest advantage.

The distance at which the house is placed from the public road, and its position relatively to the boundary fence on every side, depend chiefly, where the surface is even, on the extent of the ground, but partly also on its form; whether it extends in length or breadth, and whether the boundary is very irregular, or tolerably regular. Something, also depends on the style in which the occupant intends to live. Where there are no horses or carriages, and but few servants are kept, labour is saved by having the house near the road; but, even in this case, if the family had but few visiters, and were devoted to their garden, placing the house in the interior of the property would be more suitable. The situation of the house is also influenced by the room which requires to be found for the offices and kitchen-garden; and, also, by the proper aspect which the fronts of the house ought to have; that for the garden or living-room front being generally the south-east or south-west. The number and direction of the walks are in a great measure determined by the outline of the grund. In all small places, it is desirable to have as long a walk as can be got, for the sake of recreation; and the longest walk is necessarily that winch follows the boundary.

Hence, almost every place, whether large or small has a walk round it. The walks in the interior depend on the extent of the place. In the smallest residence, one is required from the house to the kitchen-garden; and a walk round the outside of the latter is found convenient for culture, as well as an agreeable place for recreation. Any other walks than one round the boundary, and another round the kitchen-garden, and connected with the out-door offices, must depend on circumstances peculiar to the situation or the occupier. If there are great natural inequalities of surface, a piece of natural rock or natural water, a walk may be conducted so as to show them to advantage; and, if the occupier is wealthy, and disposed to make the most of the situation, he may create hills, hollows, and other inequalities, form rocks and water, and erect buildings at pleasure; to all which objects walks are either required, or may be legitimately introduced.

337. The plantations necessary to form a small residence are, in the same manner, guided by reason in all that relates to general effect; and in detail they depend on the taste and means of the intended occupier. Trees are wanted throughout the grounds to connect one object with another; to unite the house with the offices, and partially to conceal the latter; and to unite the place as a whole with other places in the neighbourhood, or with the adjoining scenery. Trees are also required for shade, and for shelter. Shrubs are, in this sense, to be considered as included under trees. They are wanted for thickening masses and screens so that they may not be seen through; and also for sheltering, and, in some cases, shading, herbaceous plants; and, in the form of hedges, they serve for subdividing compartments. So far the use of trees and shrubs is guided by common sense; the next point is, to determine the choice of species and varieties, which is in part determined by common sense, and in part by the particular taste and means of the occupier. It is natural that the finer or more choice kinds of trees and shrubs should be placed near the house, as the centre of art and refinement; and, also, that evergreens should abound there, as being in our climate indicative of culture and taste.

In a small place, trees of small size will naturally be preferred to those which soon attain a very large size, such as some of the elms and poplars. Trees with showy flowers or fruit will be selected, in preference to those which have the flowers and fruit inconspicuous. In exposed situations, hardy trees which endure the blast will be preferred to such as are more tender; and, where objects are to be concealed, evergreens will always be preferred to trees and shrubs which are deciduous. These general principles are applicable to all small places. The further pursuance of the subject belongs to the particular taste and means of the individual. One person may choose to render his place a complete arboretum; another may limit himself to a few species of the more showy trees end shrubs; a third may prefer large rapid-growing trees, that he may soon have the pleasure of pruning or thinning them for profit; while a fourth may give a preference to fruit-trees, and so on. There is, in short, no end to the variations that may be introduced in the planting of trees and shrubs, independently altogether of those beauties which all trees and shrubs produce, viz. individual expression and character as pictorial objects, variety and intricacy in combination, and botanical interest.

338. The pieces of water, in all these designs, are liable to objections; but these are partly owing to the particular manner in which the ground plans are drawn, and their very small scale. If these pieces of water and the adjoining scenery are considered as being in the picturesque style, then the pieces of water would require a considerable addition of trees and shrubs to conceal and vary their boundaries, to connect them with the general scenery, and to disguise their poverty of shape. If, on the other hand, they are considered as gardenesque pieces of water, to be planted in the gardenesque manner, then the shapes of the ponds or miniature lakes ought to be handsomer in themselves than they now are, so as to produce an agreeable effect, even without any trees and shrubs whatever as accompaniments. At the same time we do not say that gardenesque pieces of water ought to be without trees and shrubs; on the contrary, they require this addition to display them to advantage, no less than picturesque pieces of water; all the difference being, that in the former case they must be added in a gardenesque manner.

The pieces of water in these designs are not sufficiently handsome to be admired as gardenesque, and not sufficiently disguised by trees and shrubs to be decidedly picturesque; but this, as we have before observed, arises in a great measure from the smallness of the scale, and the fear of crowding the places with too many trees and shrubs.