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be more effectually remedied by such a mass of planting as
would direct the eye to the richest part of the common only;
then, by raising a bank to hide the paling in Such opening, the
grass of the common and of the lawn would appear united, and
form one unconfined range of turf seen point blank from the
principal windows; while the oblique view might be extended
to the greatest depth of lawn, and to some fine trees, which
are now all hid by an intervening kitchen garden not half large
enough for the use of such a house.
This naturally leads me to explain the principle of improve-
ment which I have the honour to suggest. The value of land
near the capital is very great; but we are apt to treat it in the
same manner as if it were a farm in the country, and estimate
its produce by the ACRE, when in fact it ought to be estimated
by the FOOT. An acre of land of the same quality, which may
be worth 12 in Worcestershire, may be worth £5 at Streatham,
for cattle; but if appropriated to the use of man, it may be worth
X20 as a garden. It is therefore no waste of property to recom-
mend such a garden establishment at Streatham as may make
it amply worth the attention of the most experienced gardener
to supply the daily consumption of a town-house, and save the
distant conveyance or extravagant purchase of fruit and choice
vegetables: especially as such an arrangement will add to
the beauty and interest of the grounds, while it increases their
value.
The house at Streatham, though surrounded by forty acres
f grass land, is not a farm, but a Villa in a garden; for I never