Trees and Shrubs 



59 



is most beautiful, does really disturb the effect- 

 iveness and harmony of the whole, and then it 

 must be sacrificed. Such occasions, however, are 

 very rare, and I, unfortunately, know from my 

 own experience that a slight alteration of plans 

 would often be sufficient to spare a precious vet- 

 eran whose execution at first seemed unavoidable. 

 At all events, before applying the executioner's 

 axe, be sure to deliberate not once but many 

 times. It may be that the importance which I 

 give to this matter may appear exaggerated, yet 

 a true lover of Nature will understand me, and 

 appreciate the qualms of conscience that half a 

 dozen trees murdered without reason continue to. 

 cause me. On the other hand, my only conso- 

 lation is that by boldly cutting down other trees 

 I have made such great improvements that the 

 gain outbalances the loss. Besides, there is no 

 denying that by the removal of a few big trees 

 more can be accomplished in one day than in a 

 hundred years by planting thousands of speci- 

 mens, and that the loss of a few of these is not 

 to be regretted if their number is increased a 

 hundredfold to the eye by making so many others 

 visible which had previously been quite obscured. 

 This is so certain, that, although I have not been 

 blessed with a surplus of ancient trees in my park, 

 yet I have succeeded in apparently multiplying 

 tenfold the number of them left standing. These, 

 by the removal of some eighty others, are visi- 

 ble now from all points. One is often struck by 

 the fact in such cases that "One cannot see the 



