ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 107 



and otherwise endlessly varied surfaces (as in the Alps, 

 abroad, and the various rocky heights in the Highlands 

 of the Hudson and the Alleghanies, at home) they are 

 full of variety. It will readily be seen, therefore, that 

 spiry-topped trees should always be planted in considerable 

 quantities in wild, broken, and picturesque scenes, where 

 they will appear perfectly in keeping, and add wonderfully 

 to the peculiar beauty of the situation. In all grounds 

 where there are abruptly varied surfaces, steep banks, or 

 rocky precipices, this class of trees lends its efficient aid 

 to strengthen the prevailing beauty, and to complete the 

 finish of the picture. In smooth, level surfaces, though 

 spiry-topped trees cannot be thus extensively employee^ 

 they are by no means to be neglected or thought valueless, 

 but may be so combined and mingled with other round- 

 headed and oblong-headed trees, as to produce very rich 

 and pleasing effects. A tall larch or two, or a few spruces 

 rising out of the centre of a group, give it life and spirit, 

 and add greatly, both by contrast of form and color, to the 

 force of round-headed trees. A stately and regular white 

 pine or hemlock, or a few thin groups of the same trees 

 peeping out from amidst, or bordering a large mass of 

 deciduous trees, have great power in adding to the interest 

 which the same awakens in the mind of the spectator. 

 Care must be taken, however, that the very spirited effect 

 which is here aimed at, is not itself defeated by the over 

 anxiety of the planter, who, in scattering too profusely 

 these very strongly marked trees, makes them at last so 

 plentiful, as to give the whole a mingled and confused 

 look, in which neither the graceful and sweeping outlines 

 of the round-headed nor the picturesque .summits of the 

 spiry-topped trees predominate ; as the former decidedly 



