THE CULTIVATED POPLARS. 



207 



fit into our scenery well. The Lombardy should rarely, if ever, be 

 seen as a single specimen ; and above all, its formality and stiffness 

 should not be emphasized by planting it in rows along country roads. 

 A row of lyombardies 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 sur- 

 rounding foliage, ^^^^^ 

 may lend a spirit- 

 ed charm to the 

 landscape. It 

 combines well in 

 such groups if it 

 stands in visual 

 nearness to ch im- 

 neys or other tall 

 formal objects. 

 Then it gives a 

 sort of architect- 

 ural finish and 

 spirit to a group 

 of trees ; but the 

 effect is general- 

 ly lessened, if 

 not altogether 

 spoiled, if more 

 than one Lom- 

 bardy is in view. 

 One or two speci- 

 mens may often 

 be used to give 

 vigor to heavy 

 plantations 

 about low build- 

 ings, and the ef- 

 fect is generally 

 best if they are 

 seen beyond or at the rear of the building. Now and then one 



Attractive Group oj Lombardy Poplars. 



