OR IN MIXED PLANTATIONS. 277 



example, in which the outlines are more irregular, hut not less ahruDt 

 and harshly defined, is observable from the decks of Clyde steamers 

 in passing between Rosoneath and Kilcreggan, the age of which 

 appears to be between 12 and 15 years. 



4. Grouping with different kinds. — Trees widely different in their 

 affinities, but having a resemblance to one another in the size and 

 forms of their leaves, may be associated in groups. Mixture of 

 kinds, however, is most commendable when they possess some other 

 marked characteristic in common, such as colour of foliage, bark, and 

 flourish, habit of growth, or form, &c. Thus, when depth or dark- 

 ness of colour in leafage is desiderated, fit associates exist in the 

 purple beeches, oaks, elms, hazel, barberry, &c. Where light colours 

 are wanted, they are at command in the Corstorphine plane, the 

 golden oak (Quercus 2^dunculata, concordia), golden ash, birch, 

 alder, and elder, as well as in the gold and silver shaded yews, 

 moonlight holly, spruces, and smaller conifer?e; as also among the 

 naturally silvery-foliaged trees, such as the Abele poplar, the Hunt- 

 ingdon, and some other willows ; the whitebeam or service tree, sea 

 buckthorn, &c. ; while among strictly variegated trees and shrubs 

 there exists a wide field to select from. The autumnal colours and 

 tints of fading foliage deserve marked attention at the hands of 

 planters for ornamental effect. And whether the rich scarlets and 

 purples of our native geans, and of some American oaks, the golden 

 yellow of the Norway maple, or whatever colours are wanted in 

 plants that have been grown from seed, it is a wise precaution to 

 select them in the nursery, when the colours are most marked, as 

 the fading leafage of plants raised from seed is generally much varied, 

 although these be of the same species or kind. Colour in bark is 

 most appreciable when the branches are denuded of their foliage; 

 and small or moderately sized groups, having distinct colours, tend 

 to break up or relieve that dull monotony which prevails in deciduous 

 woodland scenery throughout the winter and early spring. The fol- 

 lowing may be instanced: — With white or lightish coloured bark — 

 the common and several other kinds of birch, Constantinople hazel, 

 snake-barked maple, the cane or white Welsh willow (Salix decipiens), 

 Crataegus punctata, and some other hawthorns, &c. With yellow or 

 orange coloured bark — the yellow -barked small and large-leaved 

 limes, golden ash, golden and copper willows, &c. And with reddish, 

 dark, or blackish bark — the red twigged or coral lime ; Salix acuti- 

 folia, S. daphnoides, S. purpurea, S, nigra, and some other willows; 

 Crataegus M'X<dnana, and several other hawthorns ; the red dog- 



