204 ENGLISH ESTATE FORESTRY 



plant either trees or shrubs with that mathematical regularity, 

 and monotonous repetition of the same arrangement of dif- 

 ferent species, which characterise so much of the landscape 

 work of the present day, and which differs as much from 

 true art as geometry differs from freehand drawing. It is 

 obvious that the effect produced by trees in a landscape 

 depends as much upon the details of the component parts 

 as upon the precise arrangement of the latter on the ground. 

 The plans of the landscape gardener only show the latter; 

 the former change or develop with each stage of growth, and 

 with the treatment they receive at the hands of the forester. 

 Pruning can alter the appearance of the individual tree, and 

 thinning that of the clump, and also affect the survival 

 or suppression of certain species ; and these artificial 

 conditions of growth must be regulated by the forester, 

 and their effect has a material influence upon the ultimate 

 results. 



No doubt, the precise arrangement of trees, groups, and 

 larger masses is of importance when the landscape is viewed 

 from one particular point only. But the ordinary beholder 

 cannot walk blindfolded to one or two important points of 

 observation, and see only what is best. In most landscapes 

 fresh points of view are continually cropping up as one walks 

 or rides about, and a perfect landscape is one which has 

 varied but equally attractive details at all points, and yet 

 possesses a character which is in keeping with the locality 

 and the physical features of the neighbourhood. Bound 

 most country seats, perhaps, the most important views to be 

 studied are those obtained from the windows of the mansion 

 house. But however attractive these may be rendered by 

 nature or art, it cannot be denied that those seats which 

 give most pleasure to the owner or his friends are such as 

 possess constantly changing views as one walks or rides 

 about. An extensive view is far more attractive when it 

 is hidden or confined at various points than when it is 

 perpetually before the eye without the slightest variation, 

 and variety and contrast are almost, if not quite, as essential 

 in producing pleasant emotions as beauty. Trees enable 

 greater changes and variations to be made in natural scenery 

 than any other details the latter possesses, for their different 



