Theory and Practice 107 



are comparatively dark, while those contrasted with a back- 

 ground of wood appear light. This difference is shewn 

 in both these sketches : the stems of the trees a a appear 

 light, and those 2it b b are dark, merely from the power 

 of contrast, although both are exposed to the same de- 

 gree of light. 



Where a large tract of waste heath or common is near 

 the boundary of a park, if it cannot be enclosed, it is 

 usual to dot certain small patches of trees upon it, with 

 an idea of improvement; a few clumps of miserable Scotch 

 firs, surrounded by a mud wall, are scattered over a great 

 plain, which the modern improver calls " clumping the 

 common." It is thus that Hounslow Heath has been 

 clumped ; and even the vast range of country formerly 

 the Forest of Sherwood has submitted to this meagre 

 kind of misnamed ornament. 



It may appear unaccountable that these examples, 

 which have not the least beauty either of nature or art 

 to recommend them, should be so generally followed ; 

 but alteration is frequently mistaken for improvement, 

 and two or three clumps of trees, however bad in them- 

 selves, will change the plain surface of a flat common. 

 This I suppose has been the cause of planting some 

 spruce firs on Maiden Early Common, which fortunately 

 do not grow ; for if they succeeded, the contrast is so 

 violent between the wild surface of a heathand the spruce 

 appearance of firs that they would be misplaced : besides, 

 the spiral firs are seldom beautiful, except when their 

 lower branches sweep upon the ground, and this could 

 never be the case with those exposed to cattle on a 

 common. 



A far better method of planting waste land, where en- 

 closures are not permitted, has been adopted with great 

 success in Norfolk, by my much valued friend the late 



