339 



WEEPING TREES. 



ANT fine breadths of grass in villa gardens are made un- 

 sightly, or considerably less attractive than they might 

 be, through the lack of interesting trees and shrubs of a 

 character suitable to the position. In some of the fine 

 old gardens we see huge clumps of Rhododendron, Por- 

 tugal Laurel, and Lauristinus, and when these are surrounded with 

 great breadths of open grass, and judiciously disposed so as to improve 

 rather than obscure the views, there can be nothing to surpass them 

 for grandeur. We could name a few gardens near London where 

 clumps of these evergreens have grown to such dimensions, and with 

 such perfect symmetry, as to be worthy of enumeration among the 

 grandest horticultural spectacles, as we could name others where 

 attempts at similar effects have completely failed, and all that can be 

 found in proof of the original intentions of the planter, are scrubby, 

 shapeless masses, consisting of myriads of bare stems with shapeless 

 heads of foliage, plentifully intermingled with dead wood and gross 

 branches that have grown with a will of their own, and project 

 beyond the general outlines like the boughs of oak that are thrust 

 out of the windows of taverns on "Royal Oak Day." The fact is, 

 to decorate a lawn a considerable amount of taste is required. The 

 scene it opens upon must be first thought of, and its surroundings 

 are of scarcely less importance. Where there is a fine panorama of 

 open country beyond, it would be an outrageous thing to block it 

 out with a wall of vegetation, however fine that might be ; but every 

 one accustomed to criticise the characteristics of artificial and natural 

 scenery must have observed that when seen through suitable openings 

 among umbrageous vegetation, distant views have oftentimes a charm 

 which would be lost were there no interruptions to the line of vision, 

 and we may sometimes gain variety by partly obscuring a view, so as 

 to reveal it partially at first, and compel the spectator to traverse the 

 grounds in order to pass beyond the objects by which it is partially 

 obscured, in order to obtain an uninterrupted view. It is for such a 

 purpose that evergreen trees and shrubs of massive character are 

 mostly valuable on lawns, and it will be found as a rule that they tell 

 with best effect in the composition when removed to some distance 

 from the foreground of the picture. Probably the finest tree we 

 possess for distinct landscape effects is the Wellingtonia, but a belt 

 of Wellingtonias on the ridge of a hill, or as a boundary to a tame 

 prospect, would probably be little more effective than a belt of Scotch 

 pine ; for in such positions the eye is not so much concerned in tracing 

 distinctive forms and characters, as in resting on the breadth of deep 

 green verdure, and enjoying it as a mass, irrespective altogether of 

 its elementary features. A great mistake is oftentimes committed in 

 landscape gardening in plantnig trees of deep colours and heavy out- 

 lines toj near the dwelling, for this system almost precludes the use 

 of the lighter and more graceful forms of vegetation, which are 

 suitable chiefly for the foreground, and show their outlines and 



