Wood and Phmlulions <Sf) 



other round-headed trees in the composition of groups or 

 masses, much of their individual character is lost, as it 

 depends not so much on the top (as in oblong and spiry 

 trees) as upon the side branches, which are of course con- 

 cealed by those of the adjoining trees. Drooping trees, 

 therefore, as elms, birches, etc., are shown to the best 

 advantage on the borders of groups or the boundaries of 

 plantations. It must not be forgotten, but constantly kept 

 in mind, that all strongly marked trees, like bright colors 

 in pictures, only admit of occasional employment; and 

 that the very object aimed at in introducing them will be 

 defeated if they are brought into the lawn and park in 

 masses, and distributed heedlessly on every side. An Eng- 

 lish author very justly remarks, therefore, that the poplar, 

 the willow, and the drooping birch, are "most dangerous 

 trees in the hands of a planter who has not considerable 

 knowledge and good taste in the composition of a land- 

 scape." Some of them, as the native elm, from their 

 abounding in our own woods, may appear oftener; while 

 others which have a peculiar and exotic look, as the weep- 

 ing willow, should only be seen in situations where they 

 either do not disturb the prevailing expression, or (which 

 is better) where they are evidently in good keeping. "The 

 weeping willow," says Gilpin, with his usual good taste, "is 

 not adapted to sublime objects. We wish it not to screen 

 the broken buttress and Gothic windows of an abbey, or 

 to overshadow the battlements of a ruined castle. These 

 offices it resigns to the oak, whose dignity can support 

 them. The weeping willow seeks an humble scene - - some 

 romantic footpath bridge, which it half conceals, or some 

 grassy pool over which it hangs its streaming foliage, 



- 'And dips 



Its pendent boughs, as if to drink." 



Having now described the peculiar characteristics of 

 these different classes of round-headed, spiry-topped oblong, 

 and drooping trees, we should consider the proper method 

 by which a harmonious combination of the different forms 



