108 PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



hardly allow tliem to amount to more than a third of 

 the whole trees in the plantation^ thickening them in 

 some places^ and blending and shading them off with 

 the deciduous species in others. This is also a good 

 method of planting firs when the surfaces of large masses 

 of wood are to be seen at a distance. We beg the reader, 

 however, to remark that we have been speaking of the 

 ornamental grounds, not of the outfield woods or moun- 

 tain forests. 



In regard to the question, Ought masses of trees to 

 be planted with one species only, or with an admixture 

 of many? it is important to determine whether the 

 masses in question are to be considered as viewed from 

 without or from within. If they are to be contemplated 

 from without, we hold that there should be always some 

 admixture of kinds, to obviate that dull uniformity to 

 which we have above alluded. If they are to be viewed 

 from within, it cannot be doubted that a grove of un- 

 mingled oaks, or beeches, or elms, especially if the trees 

 have attained the dignity of age, has a much finer 

 and more imposing efiect than a promiscuous gathering 

 of aU manner of trees. Even the surface of the ground 

 and its smoother sward acquire in such circumstances 

 a more attractive, because a harmonizing aspect. Planters 

 are too apt to confine their regards to the external ap- 

 pearance of their work : they ought to remember that 

 the plantations they are forming will, in the course of 

 years, become taU woods, and perhaps groves, resorted 

 to for seclusion and shade. This should be specially 

 kept in mind towards the central points of their masses ; 

 and with this view they may surround these central 

 points chiefly with one kind of tree. In extensive 

 grounds a dozen or more of these central groves might 



