fHtt^Kitp in di^onnectifiu toitl] fru Dlanting, 





HE pictures of the landscape of a private dwelling are 

 formed in the vicinity of the mansion, or with special 

 reference to the views from its windows, balconies, or 

 piazzas. In the execution of this, the most refined taste, 

 united with a competent share of practical, botanical, and 

 arboricultural knowledge, is necessary to success ; the 

 jjainterh eye should also have its influence. If water 

 entered into the composition, it would be disposed in 

 its natural place ; the banks be as natural as possible, 

 nor should too much of the water be exposed in one 

 place, unless it could appear as a reach. Buildings 

 should be only partially exposed, with the most charac- 

 teristic angle jutting out from among trees, shrubs, and 

 vines. Thus the hard lines in the dressed ground would 

 be hidden, the asperities softened, and the exuberance 

 of the imagination would have full play. 



In planting a larger lawn or a park, and adjusting 

 trees in them, the dressed ground should be linked easily and naturally with the 

 scene, by placing groups of trees and bushes of the same relation or character 

 as those of the kept ground, so as to appear parts of one mass or group ; thus 

 preventing a sudden break between the two scenes. 



As there is a great diversity of character in places which are to be laid out, 

 the improver ought to have a general stock of knowledge, to be drawn upon as 

 opportunity ofTers ; n^ rule can be applicable to all places, and it is impossible 

 to lay down any code of laws by which a place can be properly improved without 

 a tasteful direction. Perhaps, therefore, the best mode of conveying to the reader 

 a knowledge of the principles and practice of this delightful art, is to first impress 

 him with the beauty of single trees, their character of outline, leaf, and spray, 

 and then to show him the principles of grouping as established by the concurrent 

 taste of the painter and the improver. 



From what has been said, it will be apparent that both the planting and thin- 

 ning of oi'namental trees require the attention of a skilful hand. The form and 

 varieties of a group or groups, must be studied. When two only are planted, at 

 least so close together as to intermingle their branches (Fig. 15), as before ob- 

 served, the best effect is produced when they are placed as near to each other as, 

 to all appearance, to form but one tree, as also seen in Fig. 6, in the February 

 number, and the Beech (Fig. 18). In Fig. 13, the small Spruce Fir is highly 

 injurious, but greatly improves Fig. 14, An Ash with a Scotch Fir, the Horse- 

 chestnut with the Larch or Narrow Poplar (Fig. 16), would be as improper as 

 the Round-headed Lime with the Spruce Fir (Fig. 13). The union of a spiral 

 with a flame-shaped tree, as the Lombardy Poplar (Fig. 16), is out of keeping, 

 compared with Fig. 17, when a greater breadth of Poplars is introduced, which 

 may form the centre of a group planted on the left as well as on the right. These 

 portraits, addressed to the eye, will prove of great assistance to those who are 

 desirous of appreciating the beauty of groups. 



Few will deny that one of the chief beauties of shrubberies and ornamental 

 plantations, is the variety of trees and shrubs which are displayed in them. A 

 good deal, no doubt, depends on the character of the ground, the distance, and 

 arrangement ; but still, the grand source of the beauty and interest, when so 

 are botanists and arboriculturists, is the number of species and varieties. 



YoL. VII.— April, 185T. 



11 



