— ee 
1900 SUPPLEMENT—RECENT INTRODUCTIONS, &c. 477 
Landscape Gardening—continued. 
middle. Poplars (Populus nigra fastigiata) in small 
isolated quantities, on the banks of rivers and lakes, 
look very nice, but their effect is enhanced when sup- 
ported by groups of Willows. 
There must be a marked difference between the 
plantations of the park and those of the garden close to 
the house. In the former, as has been said, all the dis- 
position of planting and the choice of the plants must be 
in harmony with the surrounding Landscape. In the latter 
the planting may be more apparently connected with 
the design of the garden. The plants should be finer, 
and may also be of exotic origin, which, by their growth 
and tint of foliage, are such as we are accustomed to 
find in a garden. In the park we have ‘‘plantations”’ ; 
in the garden we have to a certain extent a ‘‘collection 
of plants.’ The planting in a garden is not proceeded 
with in the same way: trees are never on a line, and all 
regularity in the distances is avoided. The big trees 
of first height (No. 1) in Fig. 511 are 12ft. to 18ft. 
and those next in height fill the 
from each other, 
Fie. 511. 
intervals, and are more on the sides of the group. The 
shrubs (No. 3) on the edges are 4ft. to 5ft. from each 
other, and those in the centre (No. 4) fill all the empty 
space, in such a manner, however, as to leave about 5ft. 
free round the trunk of each tree, A verge of from 2ft. 
to 3ft., according to the size of the garden, is left 
between the group and the alley. The first row of shrubs 
is planted 10in. from the inner line of the verges. The 
different species of shrubs and trees of which the group 
is formed must be well mixed. After a few years of 
growth, the varied aspect obtained will be very good. 
The strong-growing species will blend themselves with 
the weaker ones, and will form a delightfully compact 
whole, while still retaining their individual beauty. 
It is wrong to distribute the different species with which 
a bed is planted in small groups of one species only, as 
is sometimes seen. The growth, form, and colour of 
such groups being naturally different, the result obtained 
is far from presenting a harmonious whole. The trees 
must not necessarily be in the centre of the groups, 
although the shrubs must be disposed in such a way 
that all are seen to their best advantage, the small ones 
being placed in front and the tallest in the centre. The 
trees planted close to the alley on the verge of the 
group are intended to give shade as well as decorative 
effect. A shady walk is always appreciated. 
DISPOSITION OF TREES AND SHRUBS IN GROUPS. 
Landscape Gardening—continued. 
Small, isolated groups scattered on the lawns produce 
very nice contrasts, but are only recommended where 
great attention can be devoted to the keeping of the 
garden in order. The position of each tree and shrub will 
have to be marked beforehand, and each must be planted 
in well-dug and properly-prepared ground. A calm and, 
if possible, clondy day should be selected, and the roots 
well spread in the soil at their proper depth. The 
branches should be left intact, but on growth commencing 
they may be slightly cut back. After planting, if the 
weather Reated to be dry, the shrubs, &c., must be well 
soaked with water. This is particularly necessary with 
evergreens and Conifers. It is also advisable on the 
same account to cover the surface of the ground with 
rotten dung or dry leaves from the wood, in order to 
protect the roots from frost in the winter and from drought 
in the spring. 
The planting of isolated trees requires particular 
attention in order to ensure success. Circular holes are 
dug out—deep if they are intended for species having 
roots like the Pear-tree or the 
Sophora, and broader than deep for 
those with spreading roots. The 
average depth in rich soil is 44ft., 
and the diameter 3ft.; but in poor 
soil a hole 7ft. wide and 4aft. deep 
is required. It is a great advantage 
when the hole can be dug out several 
months in advance, and the soil left 
exposed during that time to the bene- 
ficial influence of the air.. Before 
planting, all injured roots must be 
cut away with a sharp knife, and the 
branches must be thinned ont and 
pruned in proportion, as the roots are 
taken off, imparting at the same time 
a good shape to the crown. The tree 
must, if small, be kept upright in the 
middle of the hole, by a man holding 
it, or when large by means of three 
ropes tied in the crown, and held, 
stretched at equal distances, by three 
men. The roots should be covered with 
fine soil, this being well rammed in 
between them with a pointed stick in 
order not to leave any cavities. The 
hole must be filled to the height at 
which the tree used to be, allowing 
for the sinking of the soil. Some 
trees, Poplars and Willows for in- 
stance, ought to be planted deeper 
than they were before. Previous to 
planting, a strong stake must be 
driven into the middle of the hole to 
prevent the tree from being shaken 
by the wind ; if it were driven in after 
planting, some of the roots would be 
injured. Very large trees are kept in position by three 
well-stretched wires fastened to the crown, and secured 
to three strong pegs planted at equal distances. During 
the first year after planting, in order to protect the trunk 
from the scorching sun, it can be covered from the 
ground to the lower branches with a coating of long 
straw or with reeds. During the summer, if the weather 
is dry, all the new plantations must be well watered. 
American plants, such as Rhododendrons, Azaleas, 
Kalmias, and Andromedas, are, as a rule, grown close 
to the house. They delight in a peaty soil, though one 
may sometimes see Rhododendrons doing well in loam. 
The bed intended for such plants is excavated a foot 
deep, and the bottom of the ground is covered by a layer 
2in. or 3in. thick of coarse gravel or brick rubbish. 
This will serve to provide drainage, and will isolate 
the peat from the natural ground, preventing it from 
getting sour, and keeping the worms off. This layer 
is covered with clods of peat, coarsely broken, and all 
the roots are put at the bottom. The coarser the peat, 
the better do the plants thrive. The bed is rounded, 
and the total thickness of the peat is abont I4ft., 
of which 9in. is above the soil. When small plants 
are inserted, that depth is not necessary. Rhododen- 
drons must be planted in March, the tallest being 
placed at the back, so that they may be seen better 
