ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 87 



From this principal mass, the plantations must break 

 oft' in groups of greater or less size, corresponding to the 

 extent covered by it ; if large, they will diverge into 

 masses of considerable magnitude, if of moderate size, in 

 groups made up of a number of trees. In the lawn front 

 of the house, appropriate places will be found for a number 

 of the most elegant single trees, or small groups of trees, 

 remarkable for the beauty of their forms, foliage, or blos- 

 soms. Care must be taken, however, in disposing these, 

 as well as many of the groups, that they are not placed so 

 as, at some future time, to interrupt or disturb the finest 

 points of prospect. 



In more distant parts of the plantations will also appeal- 

 masses of considerable extent, perhaps upon the boundary 

 line, perhaps in particular situations on the sides, or in the 

 interior of the whole ; and the various groups which are 

 distributed between should be so managed as, though in 

 most cases distinct, yet to appear to be the connecting 

 links which unite these distant shadows in the composition, 

 with the larger masses near the house. Sometimes seve- 

 ral small groups will be almost joined together ; at others 

 the effect may be kept up by a small group, aided by a few 

 neighboring single trees. This, for a park-like place. 

 Where the place is small, a pleasure-ground character is 

 all that can be obtained. But by employing chiefly 

 shrubs, and only a few trees, very similar and highly 

 beautiful effects may be attained. 



The grand object in all this should b.e.to open to the 

 eye, from the windows or front of the house, a wide 

 surface, partially broken up and divided by groups and 

 masses of trees into a number of pleasing lawns or 

 openings, differing in size and appearance, and producing 



