GROUPING OF PLANTATIONS IN THE PARK. 77 



pleasure-gi'ounds and gardens the dotting system has 

 also intruded : in these^ figui'es containing shi^ubs and 

 flowers, as well as single shrubs and trees, are often 

 sprinkled with the most underrating regularity. The 

 main object would seem to be to leave unoccupied no 

 piece of grass or plat of ground above a certain and very 

 moderate size. On the lawns of many gardens this 

 paltiy and tasteless system has been carried out to the 

 greatest perfection. A better taste, indeed, is now 

 being diffused; we have, however, observed a finished 

 specimen of this style in a garden of great preten- 

 sion and celebrity, and which is supposed to exhibit 

 the very perfection of British gardening. A pinetum 

 is dotted over an extensive lawn, without respect to the 

 natm'al physiognomy of the trees, and, what is more 

 surprising, without any regard, so far as we could dis- 

 cover, to their botanical affinities as species. A few 

 formal clumps of rhododendi^ons lend their aid to com- 

 plete the general insipidity. It must be admitted, at 

 the same time, that it is seldom that lawns are dotted 

 with such hardy tenants. They are fi'equently filled 

 with half-hardy objects undergoing the miseries of accK- 

 matizing experiments'^ ; and the eye is regaled with the 

 stunted growth and discolom^ed foliage in summer, and 



* AH efforts, in the way of accommodatiiig the plants of warmer 

 regions to our somewhat ungenial clime, ought to be encouraged 

 and promoted, as every additional hardy tree or shrub is so much 

 clear gain to gardening. But the transition or training processes 

 should be kept in their proper place, viz., the enclosed garden. 

 Wliere beauty of scenery is the object aimed at, the trees and 

 shrubs should be sufficiently hardy for the average chmate of the 

 locahty. Those shghtly tender, or requiring shelter from cutting 

 winds, may find some warm quiet ^ooks in the flower-garden 

 or pleasure-grounds. 



