AKBORETTJMS IN PRIVATE RESIDENCES. 331 



the arboretum, we would form the hirge groups or 

 masses of a magnitude proportioned to the extent of 

 the place, and we would plant them with the finest 

 trees, whether old or now, to constitute the leading 

 features of the scene. Taking these as the ground- 

 work, we would relieve or set them off by single trees 

 of the species belonging to the same genera, throwing 

 groups of a similar composition into the adjacent places 

 of the i^ark ; or, using the same groundwork as before, 

 we would introduce generic^ m^dinal^ or allied groups 

 of selected species into such positions as would con- 

 tribute to the variety and beauty of the whole. We 

 strongly recommend the selection of materials to pro- 

 prietors forming arboretums in the vicinity of private 

 residences. There are some hundreds of trees and 

 shrubs which may safely be left to the botanic garden 

 and public park. Probably there are few genera which 

 deserve to be taken in the whole. On the other hand, 

 there are many fine trees and shrubs but little planted, 

 which, with judicious- treatment, might tend to remove 

 the reproach of " the shrubberj^'s insipid scenes." 

 Much remains to be done in this way ; and it is not to 

 be doubted, that a moderate-sized but well-selected 

 arboretum is the most effectual means of doing it. It 

 may be added, that, though the pleasure-ground affords 

 the most desirable site for the arboretum, there are 

 many parks in which it may be planted in the \YOods, 

 especially where there are walks, or where they can 

 easily be formed. On the outskirts of the woods, or 

 along the sides of open rides penetrating into their 

 interior, a pretty full arboretum might be formed, com- 

 posed of trees and of the stronger and less ornamen- 

 tal shrubs, reserving the more showy or less hardy 



