INTERMINGLING OF FORMS AND COLORS. I'U 



at certain points by groups of black Italian poplar, a 

 tree which, in ordinary ground, speedily take^ the lead 

 of all others, and keeps it for many years. 



Ought masses of trees to be planted wholly of one 

 species, or with an admixture of many? The question 

 has been answered differently, both in theory and in 

 practice. '• A forest of all manner of trees," says Mr. 

 liuskin, "is poor, if not disagreeable in effect; a mass 

 of one species of tree is sublime."-" We are not sure 

 that this aphorism is not put too unconditionally, 

 even in regard to a forest; certainly we should be 

 inclined to dispute its validity as applied to plea- 

 sure-grounds and parks. Let the reader imagine a 

 pleasure-ground exclusively filled with hollies, or a 

 park adorned with Scotch firs alone. We are assured 

 that the first feeling of the spectator would as likely 

 be that of wonder as of sublimity, that the second 

 would be one of oppressive monotony, and the third 

 of absolute weariness. Of course this remark does 

 not apply to clumps and subordinate masses, which 

 may occasionally be planted of one species of tree. 

 We make this admission, however, with some reserve; 

 for, while in the park and pleasure-ground our aim 

 should be that unity which consists in a harmony of 

 diversities, we must guard against that bald and un- 

 suggestive unity whic'h degenerates into uniformity. 

 Homogeneous masses of trees, it must be remembered, 

 are destitute of that pleasing variety of color of which 

 there are traces even in spring and summer, and which, 

 as we have seen, comes out with such manifold beauty 



•We have not the slightest respect for Jfr. Ruskiu's authority on this question. 

 We better coincide with his architectural taste than his arboricultui-al accomplish- 

 jnents. — Ed, 



