100 



The Alder, being dark, with assembled twigs and branches thrown into 

 horizontal tiers, as we often find them branching from one, two, or more 

 trunks, is a beautiful object falling upon the horizon; indeed, an aged speci- 

 men is much to be admired. 



The Horse Chesnut, although its dome-like head is calculated to 

 harmonize with the sky-line, is so very stiff and monotonous in its general 

 character, especially when stripped of its foliage, as not to be considered very 

 appropriate. 



The Mountain Ash is objectionable for a similar reason. 



The Scotch or Mountain Pine, when old, is a fine, natural-formed, noble, 

 picturesque tree ; but it is of a very sombre character, and therefore too heavy 

 to meet the horizon. In other situations, especially when backed by rising 

 ground, by other trees, or by buildings, or when seen on bold or abrupt ground 

 backed by hills of greater height, it is a fine object. 



Pointed or spiral trees are inharmonious with the aerial fine, and seldom, 

 therefore, afford subjects suited to the artist's pencil, Amongst these are the 

 Larch, Spruce Fir, Silver Fir, Cypress, Red Cedar, and the Lombardy Poplar. 



The Larch, Spruce and Silver Fir, and others of similar character, are 

 well suited to share the dress of pyramidal scenes, and also to climb the sides 

 of hills and broken rocky heights, provided their spiry points are overshadowed 

 by the various precipices or hills rising above them. They are in character 

 when associated with buildings, especially those of the Gothic style ; also on 

 flats or gentle rising ground, when trees or higher ground intervene to prevent 

 their points catching the horizon. 



The Red Cedar and the upright Cypress are best suited to low situations, 

 taking part in a group of low shrubby trees, or forming a group of themselves, 

 and associated with Gothic buildings, or in hollows, blending amongst 

 mounds and pyramids. These observations also apply to the Lombardy 

 Poplar, which, nevertheless, accords well with the pinnacles of churches, or 

 looks well in groups when seen rising out of a mass of buildings, or out 

 of a massive wood, so as not to catch the sky-line. But scattered about as 

 solitary trees, or grown in rows, it has never a happy effect. Occasional 

 groups of three or four, or more, rising out of a plain, and viewed from an 

 elevated position, so as not to fall upon the horizon, are generally very 

 effective in such scenery. 



