Wood and Plantations 89 



Advantage may occasionally be taken of this peculiarity 

 in the gradation of color, in Landscape Gardening, by the 

 creation, as it were, of an artificial distance. In grounds 

 and scenes of limited extent, the apparent size and breadth 

 may be increased, by planting a majority of the trees in 

 the foreground, of dark tints, and the boundary with foliage 

 of a much lighter hue. 



An acquaintance, individually, with the different species 

 of trees of indigenous and foreign growth, which may be 

 cultivated with success in this climate, is absolutely essen- 

 tial to the amateur or the professor of Landscape Garden- 

 ing. The tardiness or rapidity of their growth, the periods 

 at which their leaves and flowers expand, the soils they 

 love best, and their various habits and characters, are all 

 subjects of the highest interest to him. In short, as a love 

 of the country almost commences with a knowledge of its 

 peculiar characteristics, the pure air, the fresh enamelled 

 turf, and the luxuriance and beauty of the whole landscape; 

 so the taste for the embellishment of rural residences must 

 grow out of an admiration for beautiful trees, and the 

 delightful effects they are capable of producing in the hands 

 of persons of taste and lovers of nature. 



Admitting this, we think, in the comparatively meagre 

 state of general information on this subject among us, we 

 shall render an acceptable service to the novice, by giving 

 a somewhat detailed description of the character and habits 

 of most of the finest hardy forest and ornamental trees. 

 Among those living in the country, there are many who care 

 little for the beauties of Landscape Gardening, who are yet 

 interested in those trees which are remarkable for the 

 beauty of their forms, their foliage, their blossoms, or their 

 useful purposes. This, we hope, will be a sufficient ex- 

 planation for the apparently disproportionate number of 

 pages which we shall devote to this part of our subject. 



