How to Arrange Country Places 22:5 



trees is like a caliph without his beard, in other words, it is 

 not a country place. We shall assume, therefore, that all 

 proprietors who do not already possess this indispensable 

 feature will set about planting with more ardor than Walter 

 Scott ever did. It is the one thing needful for them; and 

 deep trenching, plentiful manuring, and sufficient mulch- 

 ing are the powerful auxiliaries to help them forward in the 

 good work. 



It is, of course, impossible for us to tell our readers how to 

 arrange trees tastefully and well under all circumstances in 

 this short chapter. We can offer them, however, tw r o or 

 three hints as to arrangement which they may perhaps 

 profit by. 



The first principle in ornamental planting is to study 

 the character of the place to be improved and to plant in 

 accordance with it. If your place has breadth and sim- 

 plicity, and fine open views, plant in groups, and rather 

 sparingly, so as to heighten and adorn the landscape, not 

 shut out and obstruct the beauty of prospect which nature 

 has placed before your eyes. Scattered groups, with con- 

 tinuous reaches or vistas between, produce the best effect 

 in such situations. In other and more remote parts of the 

 place greater density of foliage may serve as a contrast. 



In residences where there is little or no distant view the 

 contrary plan must be pursued. Intricacy and variety must 

 be created by planting. Walks must be led in various 

 directions and concealed from each other by thickets and 

 masses of shrubs and trees and occasionally rich masses of 

 foliage not forgetting to heighten all, however, by an occa- 

 sional contrast of broad, unbroken surface of lawn. 



In all country places, and especially in small ones, a great 

 object to be kept in view in planting is to produce as perfect 

 seclusion and privacy within the grounds as possible. We 

 do not entirely feel that to be our own which is indiscrimi- 

 nately enjoyed by each passer-by and every man's individu- 

 ality and home-feeling is invaded by the presence of un- 

 bidden guests. Therefore, while you preserve the beauty 

 of the view, shut out, by boundary belts and thickets, all 



