THE ARRANGEMENT AND GROUPING OF TREES. 



I proceed to show what seem to me the style and arrangement of Plantations 

 best adapted to combine natural beauty with force and variety. At the 

 outset, I beg to refer the reader to the designations given to various characters 

 of plantings at page 49, hi order that subsequent remarks may be better 

 understood. 



I scarcely need observe, that ground consisting of gentle undulations 

 and abrupt falls is much more pleasing, and affords greater scope for planting 

 with a view to the picturesque and beautiful in Landscape Scenery, than fiat 

 plains. In the former, the eye catches more variety of form, both in planting 

 and pasture, as well as of depth and force in the undulating surface or aerial 

 line of planting. But as we cannot command a varied surface in all domains, 

 it may be well to show how each is capable of producing pleasing effects, and 

 be acted upon to the greatest advantage. In every case, whether in flat or 

 undulating ground, there must be woods or leading massive plantations as 

 principals ; and the mansion should have the chief plantations about it, for 

 effect as well as shelter. To develop these principals, they must, in the first 

 place, be accompanied by smaller masses and larger groups, so arranged that 

 the length of each group or mass shall be parallel with the principal, and, 

 although detached, yet be so placed as to seem a part of it. These parts, 

 again, require softening down with smaller groups and single trees, (the single 

 trees never being planted so straggling as to appear isolated), arranged so 

 as to produce natural and various effects of light and shade, and avoid 

 every appearance of heaviness. (See General Plans.) 



An extensive plantation or wood is much improved by glades of various 

 extent, (see Palace Plan), which destroy its monotony. On flat tame ground, 

 where a portion of such glades is too low for the eye to fall upon it over the 

 trees, in order that there may be no waste of land, it may be furnished with 

 coppice wood ; but in the case of high undulating ground, the effect will be 



