Book III. 



FORMATION OF PLANTATIONS. 



951 



or increasing the variations already existing. To do this with most effect, it is an ob- 

 vious and long established principle, that, other circumstances being the same, the hills 

 are to be more generally planted than the hollows, or even the plains. By planting a 

 hill, or the least rise of ground, that hill or rise is increased in effect ; but by planting 

 the low grounds between hills or protuberances, their effect is destroyed. It is to be ob- 

 served, however, that the latter practice is often what we observe in natural scenery. 

 In hilly tracts in a state of nature, and under the dominion of no other animals than 

 cattle or sheep, the vales or dells (Jig' 637.) are generally filled with wood and the 



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tops of the hills bare, which, however agreeable to those %vho view or study nature 

 chiefly in detail, yet to the general observer it tends to confound form, and introduce 

 monotony of surface. Art, therefore, when planting for general effect, or for heighten- 

 ing the character of surface, adopts a contrary practice (Jig. 633.) to what is general in 



wild nature ; for few things in a wild state are suitable to the views of man in a state of 

 civilisation and refinement ; and when he admires rude scenery, it is from views of its 

 novelty or rarity in cultivated countries ; or with reference to some other art or object, 

 or state of the same object. At the same time, a hill crowned with wood occurs in na- 

 ture occasionally, both with and without naked hollows or plains at its base, and never 

 fails to excite a superior degree of satisfaction or pleasure in the spectator. To plant 

 hills, therefore, in preference to valleys, may justly be designated an imitation of one of 

 the more interesting features of nature. 



68<34. With respect to form, it may be absolute, or independent of every consideration but the taste of the 

 designer ; or it may be relative. It is absolute in plantations intended to create particular beauties within 

 themselves ; as in labyrinths, woods pierced with avenues, stars, &c, in the geometric style ; or in com- 

 positions and groups, thickets and glades in the interior of a wood, laid out in the modern manner. It is 

 relative to the shapes of the ground and to existing objects in the forms adapted for improving general 

 scenery ; and to these considerations, and to the situation and form of the mansion, gardens, waters, &c. 

 in laying out the grounds of a country-residence. For either of these objects the general principles of 

 operation are to heighten beauties already existing ; to conceal defects ; if possible, to create beauty ; and 

 to connect detached objects, either in reality or appearance, so as the scenery, from whatever point it may 

 be viewed, may appear a whole ; in short, the end is a harmonious and expressive whole, and the means 

 are the grouping and connecting of the parts. Some tracts of country, or those parts of a demesne exte- 

 rior to the park, may be deficient in woodiness ; there trees may be introduced in masses on elevated sites, 

 or the sides of hills; in groups connected with buildings; in thinly scattered trees, in pastures, and by 

 brooks ; and in rows in hedges, and by other fences or roads. Where disagreeable objects are to be con- 

 cealed, the course is evident ; and where nothing is interesting, attempts must be made to create interest. 

 A road through a dreary country may often have much of its dulness taken away by one or two rows of 

 trees on each side, the stems of which will break and vary the distant scenery. The lines may vary in 

 form and direction, may swell into strips, or clumps, or thickets ; form recesses, or be interrupted, accord- 

 ing to circumstances. The route through some of the most dreary tracts in Germany and Russia, and the 

 well-known Strada di Campagna, in Italy, are in this way rendered tolerable. In all this, though the 

 main object may be beauty, yet, utility must never be lost sight of. All plantations by arable lands should, 

 as much as possible, be bounded by straight, or at least not very irregular lines, and connected with the 

 hedges or other fences already existing ; few single trees or groups should be planted in the area of such 

 fields. In pastures, the worst soils and most exposed situations should be chosen, and such forms 

 adapted as may shelter the stock from all quarters, but especially from the storms and winds which more 

 generally prevail. In planting near cottages and villages, care should be taken not to render the atmo- 

 sphere unhealthy by stagnating the air, or to lessen the value of their yards and gardens by curtailing their 

 extent, or by excess of shelter and shade. Roads or lanes should on no account be injured, nor the water 

 of streams and ponds rendered dark, discolored by leaves, and unwholesome to men or cattle. In short, 

 the planter, for effect, should never lose sight of utility, or plant in opposition to it ; for though he may 

 produce particular sorts of beauty, and especially that lately so fashionable and justly admired disposition 

 of objects, called picturesque, which may be admired by a number for a time ; yet there is a much more 

 elevated and universal beauty, that of moral relation, or, in short, refined utility, which, while men 



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