152 THE PLAN OF THE PLACE 



breaks for peach orchards and other short-lived 

 plantations; but after a few years a screen of 

 Lombardies begins to fail, and the habit of suck- 

 ering from the root adds to its undesirable fea- 

 tures. For shade it has little merit, and for tim- 

 ber none. People like it because it is striking, 

 and this, in an artistic sense, is its gravest fault. 

 It is unlike anything else in our landscape, and 

 does not fit into our scenery well The Lombardy 

 should rarety, if ever, be seen as a single speci- 

 men; and above all, its formality and stiffness 

 should not be emphasized by planting it in rows 

 along country roads. A row of Lombardies along 

 a roadside is like a row of exclamation points! 



But the tree can often be used to good effect as 

 one factor in a group of trees, where its spire-like 

 shape, towering above the surrounding foliage, 

 may lend a spirited charm to the landscape. It 

 combines well in such groups if it stands in visual 

 nearness to chimneys or other tall formal objects. 

 Then it gives a sort of architectural finish and 

 spirit to a group of trees; but the effect is gen- 

 erally lessened, if not altogether spoiled, if more 

 than one Lombardy is in view. One or two speci- 

 mens may often be used to give vigor to heavy 

 plantations about low buildings, and the effect is 

 generally best if they are seen beyond or at the 

 rear of the building. 



Another feature of common ornamental plant- 

 ing, which is well illustrated in the use of poplars, 



