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but once a year, and not fritter them away by improper management. The 

 edge line of the grass and shrubs would eventually blend together and be 

 lost in each other, and yet preserve pretty much the breadth of vei'ge required, 

 by pruning the shrubs occasionally, but not stiffly. When there is suffi- 

 cient space, it would be better to vary, considerably, the breadth of the lawn 

 between the walk and the shrubbery compartment, showing deep and bold 

 bends, rather than numerous small indentations, so as at the same time to 

 make the broader part of the lawn convenient for exhibiting individual plants. 

 (Sec General Plans.) I should, therefore, introduce such kinds of shrubs as 

 are naturally handsome in form, as well as those which produce beautiful and 

 fragrant blossoms, each of which, if judiciously managed, would greatly tend 

 to vary the outline of the general strip, or dug border; whilst space woidd be 

 afforded for each plant to display its true character, exemplifying what Loudon 

 designates " the gardenesque style." Nevertheless, they should not be scat- 

 tered, or dotted, but be planted in uncrowded groups, allowing, here and there, 

 some of them to associate with and grow into each other. 



In forming the kinds of Shrubberies of which I have been speaking, no 

 large trees should ever be introduced. Although they may appear unobjec- 

 tionable whilst young, yet, in a very few years, they become predominant 

 and over-bearing. Yet here and there, in the back part of the Shrubbery, 

 some of the most ornamental kinds of thorns, the double flowering cherries, 

 magnolias, mespolis, laburnums, Hemlock-spruce, Gleditschia triacanthos, 

 &c.,maybe planted, as they will prevent a monotonous outline, and produce 

 a good effect. 



Valuable shrubs should never be planted immediately under large trees 

 which are already existing — a mistake which often arises when walks are 

 made to pass under such trees for the sake of their shady canopy. They 

 should be placed in groups upon the lawn in open spaces, whilst common 

 laurels, box, variegated hollies, yews, Acuba japonica, rhododendrons, Gaul- 

 theria shallon, mahonias, &c, would give the required covert under the trees, 

 when thickets or masking out is necessary. 



When the shrubbery connected with the principal walk is employed to 

 mask out a boundary line, or any unsightly object, I think the best plan is, to 

 form a thicket of from a few yards in width to any extent required, of some 

 or all the following kinds of plants — laurels, privets, yews, elders, hollies, 



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