St> REMARKS ON THE SHRUBBERY. 



as to break the line with good effect. The cottage may have 

 more rustic trees ; while to the castle belong the oak, the ash, 

 and the pine, the mansion admits of all at their proper distance, 

 and in suitable situations. 



One of the most important things in planting is to attend parti- 

 cularly to the shades of green, especially where the view from the 

 house or lawn catches the trees. Flowers which Pliny calls the 

 joys of the trees, continue but for a short period, in comparison to 

 the duration of foliage ; therefore, the picture should be formed 

 by judiciously contrasting the greens. Even the effect of pers- 

 pective may be considerably increased by the proper arrange- 

 ment of hues. Trees whose leaves are grey or bluish tint, when 

 seen over or between shrubs of a yellow or bright green seem 

 to' be thrown into the distance. Trees with small and tremulous 

 leaves should wave over or before those of broad or fixed foliage. 

 The light and elegant acacia has a more beautiful effect when it's 

 branches float over the firm and dark holly or bay-tree. In some 

 situations the bare trunk of trees may be shown ; in some, it 

 should be concealed by evergreens and creepers. Vines, also, 

 may be suffered to embrace it, and form natural festoons where 

 the extent of ground will allow of wilderness scenery. In all 

 situations, nature may be assisted, but should never be deformed 

 by clipping ; for ingenuity ought to be employed to disguise art, 

 not to expose it. 



The beauty of plants cannot be displayed when they arc too 

 much crowded, as they are then drawn up into unnatural shapes. 

 Therefore, the oftener open spaces can be admitted, the more 

 will the shrubs exhibit themselves to advantage, and the more 

 cheerful will be the walk ; for it becomes insipid and gloomy 

 when confined for any distance. The winds also claim our at- 

 tention. Care must be taken so to arrange the position of the 

 trees, that only those gales which are most congenial to the 

 growth of particular plants should be allowed access to them. 



The undulating appearance of a plantation will be consider- 

 ably assisted by a gradual progression from the lowest shrub to 

 the highest tree, and again, from the highest to the lowest. But 

 as some shrubs will not flourish under certain trees, their respect- 

 ive situations demand consideration. These shrubs may indeed 

 exist under such unfavourable circumstances, but their unhealthy 

 appearance will never be pleasing. Where the shade of any tree 

 is too powerful for laurel or privet to thrive, ivy may be planted 



