INTERMINGLING OF FORMS AND COLOURS. 109 



be formed prospectively, embracing all the principal 

 deciduous, and some of the finer evergreen trees ; while 

 the outer margins of the masses and clumps, and all the 

 parts rendered by their position conspicuous to the eye, 

 might be dressed out in that gay variety which is essen- 

 tial to the beauty of a country residence as a whole. 

 Thus the predominance of one tree will give a decided 

 character to a mass, and the intermingled subordinates 

 which may be gi^adually reduced in number, if desired, 

 will relieve it of monotony and insipidity. 



In relation to the subject of this chapter generally, 

 we have in conclusion to remark, that no part of land- 

 scape-gardening is more neglected and misunderstood 

 than the skilfal management of trees, in the way of 

 bringing out their ornamental value in respect to form 

 and colour. Some artists of great name have declined 

 this affair altogether, and, with necessarily very general 

 directions, or even without any instructions at aU, have 

 delegated the work of distributing the trees to the 

 forester or day-labourer. And proprietors are too ready 

 to ask the designer to stake out the groups and clumps, 

 and then to leave the planting to persons who probably 

 have not the slightest conception of the effect desired 

 to be produced. After a few years, perhaps, the artist 

 goes back to survey his work, and finds tliat his ground- 

 outlines have been carefidly preserved, but probably 

 discovers also that the grey poplar, with its airy form 

 and silvery foliage, has been substituted for the robust 

 and grave-tinted oak; or that the spiry, light-green, 

 deciduous larch has taken the place intended for the 

 rounded cone and dark-green colour of the Scotch fir. 

 And yet his art or his skill in the exercise of it has to 

 bear the blame of these errors ! It would be almost as 



