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of two trees only always looks the best, growing close together, mingling 

 their branches into one handsome top or head, but displaying two trunks : 

 therefore there should be no hesitation in planting two trees now and then 

 in .me hole. In a group of three, the third may stand five, six, or more 

 feet from the other two. In a group of four, six, nine, or more, the trees may 

 vary in distance from two to thirty feet apart or more, according to the size 

 of the group, always making it a rule for two, three, or more to be placed 

 near to each other, so as to form a principal, if I may so speak. In large 

 groups, two or three of these principals may be formed : for their being 

 clustered together gives far greater spirit and effect both in stem and top, and 

 produces a far more natural and pleasing group, than one wholly scattered, 

 though it may be arranged variously. (See Park Plan.) It is essential also 

 that the outer trees of a large group should stand at a greater distance from 

 each other than the inner ones, so as to have a loose straggling effect, rather 

 than a stiff lumpy one ; and though some of the plants, arranged as I have 

 directed above, may be thought too near for each tree to exhibit its true 

 character, yet we often find these, when their outer branches are allowed to 

 expand freely, forming noble clustered heads, and, as a group, their stems 

 being near together and sometimes touching one another, they constitute 

 a more natural, important, and agreeable feature in the landscape, than if the 

 whole were more scattered or equally dotted. We sometimes see a most 

 beautiful object produced by three, four, or more rising from one root, and 

 forming together one handsome head. The groups we have described are, 

 however, not to be so placed as to divide the lawn equally into parts, but they 

 should seem to be parts of the principal masses of shrubs or trees, and 

 therefore be assembled pretty near to them. It is important to observe, 

 that the best effect will be produced by planting them near to a prominent 

 bend or jut of a bed or mass, inasmuch as it adds to the projection and depth 

 to the bay. Occasionally one or two plants may be planted in the recesses, 

 by which the outline of the mass becomes softened and more varied and 

 intricate ; while, at the same time, open expanses of lawn are left free for 

 the eye to repose upon. This arrangement also gives greater force, variety, 

 and beauty to both. Of course there will be parts where groups may be 

 planted with proper effect, when not exactly in connection with a mass ; but 

 it ought not to be general. We frequently find ornamental trees introduced 



