"REMARKS ON THE SIUVUBBERY. 133 



throughout the year without much labour or expense ; whilst on 

 the continent, this is obtained only by the assistance or partially 

 concealed means of irrigation. The few lawns that arc kept in 

 any tolerably decent order abroad, are generally under the care 

 of Scotch or English gardeners. The gravel of this country ia 

 also so superior to that of any other part of Europe for the forma- 

 tion of walks, that the royal gardens of Naples have their paths 

 covered with gravel brought from the distance of Kensington. 

 Perhaps there is no one spot where the plants of the north and 

 south thrive so well together as in the English shrubbery. Added 

 to these advantages, the absence of ravenous beasts and vene- 

 mous reptiles, are blessings that ought to make us 



" Vain of our beauteous isle, and justly vaiD, 

 For freedom here, and health, and plenty reign." 



As it is the skilful distribution of trees over the grounds, more 

 than their peculiar character, which adds dignity to the landscape, 

 so it forms one of the most important parts of the planter's study 

 to discover where to place the rising grove in such a situation as 

 to improve the view. In a flat country, the first care should be 

 to give an additional appearance of height to spots already eleva- 

 ted, by planting upon them the tallest trees that the soil will suit. 

 In parks and paddocks, the belt or long plantation, should gen- 

 erally be avoided, as well as that of the crescent shape, because 

 they prevent a free circulation of air, and render the enclosed 

 atmosphere unwholesome. Oblong or circular plantations, on 

 the contrary, afford the trees an opportunity of benefiting by the 

 air ; admitting, at the same time, a view of the landscapes which 

 they partially intercept. 



" The fountain's fall, the river's flow. 

 The woody vallies warm and low ; 

 The windy summit, wild and high, 

 Koughly rushing on the .«ky ! 

 The pleasant seat, the ruin'd tower, 

 The naked rock, the shady bower, 

 The town and village, dome and farm ; 

 Each give to each a double charm, 

 As pearls upon an Ethiop'a arm — 



Dyer. 



