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Nature, in adjusting her sylvan dress to the earth's varied surface, seems 

 to act on an opposite plan from that adopted by the Landscape Gardener, and 

 sanctioned by the lover of landscape beauties. She has chosen quiet dells 

 and valleys as best fitted to the healthy production, as well as profitableness, 

 of trees, without any special regard to mere scenic effect ; whilst Art, in her 

 arrangements, studies more the latter object, and to give expression and 

 beauty by a variety of surface. One of the most pleasing results produced by 

 planting, either in a park or elsewhere, is that of being thus enabled to 

 diversify the surface of the surrounding country. The principle has been 

 long established, and fully borne out by examples presenting themselves 

 in abundance in hilly countries. The hills there, in many instances, 

 are richly wooded from their base, the plantations climbing boldly and natu- 

 rally to various heights, sometimes even over the summits. When seen either 

 from below or from other hills, with a rich valley interposing, these noble 

 examples of wooded scenery are most imposing. 



Then, in planting a park, or in general scenery having a varied surface or 

 hilly character, it must be our aim to decorate the hills rather than the flats 

 or valleys, and this especially in grounds of gentle undulation ; as the former 

 course adds to the force of existing undulations, while the latter detracts from 

 it. I would not, however, be understood to say that there is little beauty in a 

 wooded valley, or that such scenery is never to be planted. Far from it : a 

 richly wooded vale, in which pasture land and water appear, and which is 

 animated by cattle, when seen from an eminence, often presents a scene truly 

 beautiful and cheering. This may be said, with great truth, of the vale of 

 the Thames, as viewed from Richmond Hill ; but, while I confess its beauties, 

 I still think not only that the trees are too numerous, but that the groups 

 and masses are not so happily associated as they might have been, and that 

 the eye does not rest wholly without confusion on the expanse of lawn there 

 presented. 



The remarks I have made in speaking of a park of flat surface, with 

 regard to the formation of principal plantings, to seem and actually to be 

 connected with the superstructure, with smaller masses and groups so placed 

 as to appear to proceed from them, and yet form broken parts, applies equally 

 to a park of varied surface. The general rule here will be to plant on rising 

 ground and not in valleys, except some object require it. In planting on 



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