64 Landscape Gardening 



were, the central point, to which it should be the object of 

 the planter to give importance. In order to do this effec- 

 tually, the large masses or groups of wood should cluster 

 round, or form the background to the main edifice; and 

 where the offices or out-buildings approach the same neigh- 

 borhood, they also should be embraced. We do not mean 

 by this to convey the idea, that a thick wood should be 

 planted around and in the close neighborhood of the man- 

 sion or villa, so as to impede the free circulation of air; but 

 its appearance and advantages may be easily produced by 

 comparatively loose plantation of groups well connected 

 by intermediate trees, so as to give all the effect of a large 

 mass. The front, and at least that side nearest the ap- 

 proach road, will be left open, or nearly so; while the plan- 

 tations in the background will give dignity and importance 

 to the house, and at the same time effectually screen the 

 approach to the farm buildings, and other objects which 

 require to be kept out of view; and here both for the pur- 

 poses of shelter and richness of effect, a good proportion of 

 evergreens should be introduced. 



From this principal mass, the plantations must break off 

 in groups of greater or less size, corresponding to the extent 

 covered by it; if large, they will diverge into masses of 

 considerable magnitude, if of moderate size, in groups made 

 up of a number of trees. In the lawn front of the house, 

 appropriate places will be found for a number of the most 

 elegant single trees, or small groups of trees, remarkable for 

 the beauty of their forms, foliage, or blossoms. Care must 

 be taken, however, in disposing these, as well as many of 

 the groups, that they are not placed so as, at some future 

 time, to interrupt or disturb the finest points of prospect. 



In more distant parts of the plantations will also appear 

 masses of considerable extent, perhaps upon the boundary 

 line, perhaps in particular situations on the sides, or in the 

 interior of the whole; and the various groups which are 

 distributed between should be so managed as, though in 

 most cases distinct, yet to appear to be the connecting links 

 which unite these distant shadows in the composition, with 



