282 THE ADVANTAGES OF PLANTING IN GROUPS 



progress in size and age. In regard to the sites or situations oi 

 avenues, whether straight or curved, those are best where they do 

 not cut up fine expanses of grassy greenery, or conceal distant inter- 

 esting scenery, — as by the outer edges of such expanses, through 

 or by the sides of woodlands, and outside of home parks, where 

 approaches have to be carried through arable fields ; for which last 

 the foresaid second and third modes are specially adapted. 



8. Fences. — With reference to plantation fences, it may be 

 remarked that grouping for the purpose of breaking up stiff outlined 

 belts and margins becomes far from effective when these are 

 fenced by obtrusive stone dykes. When the outside of a plantation 

 thus grouped is looked upon over an intervening knoll which con- 

 ceals its fence dyke, the apparent distance and nearness that is thus 

 imparted to its margin becomes in a great measure dispelled on 

 advancing till the dyke becomes visible. Hedges, and more espe- 

 cially well-kept ones, are liable to the like objections, but in a less 

 degree; and this may be still farther lessened by suiting tbem to the 

 trees and underwood behind, as by an entire or thickly mixed hedge 

 of the purple leaved barberry, where backed by purple beech, elm, 

 hazel, &c; by holly, mahonia, evergreen privet, &c, in front of broad 

 leaved evergreens ; and by whins, junipers, &c, where backed by 

 small leaved evergreens, such as the coniferse. Iron fences, except 

 for shelter, are preferable to either of the preceding when sufficiently 

 out from the drip of high trees, to allow of a thick growth of undsr- 

 wood between. But a fence preferable to either, especially for 

 ornamental park groups, clumps, and belts, can be cheaply formed 

 where stones are abundant, by arranging those in irregular rockery- 

 like outline, say 15 to 18 inches high in front, backed alternately 

 by larger ones in four, six, or even more circumjacent unformal layers 

 or lines, with small spaces between, and only a little rise in the 

 ground surface where requisite to supply soil for the free growth of 

 thorny plants, such as the wild and double Scotch roses, in front ; 

 sweet and other wild briars, as well as a mixture of the more robust 

 growing garden roses, furze, barberry, junipers, &c, next; then haw- 

 thorns, hollies, sloe thorn, and sea buckthorn, the last in dry, bare 

 places, where the others will not grow ; the whole being thickened 

 by an undergrowth of mahonias, brambles, Ayrshire roses, honey- 

 suckles, ivy, and other rambling creepers, allowed to grow in natural 

 wildness. This would form an impenetrable as well as a highly 

 picturesque barrier against the inroads of both man and beast, 

 besides being one of the best for game covers ; and the interior might 



