208 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



The chief, and indeed almost the only value of these 

 willows in Landscape Gardening, is to embellish low 

 grounds, streams of water, or margins of lakes. When 

 mingled with other trees, they often harmonize so badly 

 from their extremely different habits, foliage, and color, 

 that unless very sparingly introduced, they cannot fail to 

 have a bad effect. On the banks of streams, however, 

 they are extremely appropriate, hanging their slender 

 branches over the liquid element, and drawing genial 

 nourishment from the moistened soil. 



" Le saule incline sur la rive penchante, 

 Balan<jant mollement sa tete blanchissante." 



In the middle distance of a scene, also, where a stream 

 winds partially hidden, or which might otherwise wholly 

 escape the eye, these trees, if planted along its course, 

 connected as they are in our minds with watery soils, will 

 not fail to direct the attention and convey forcibly the 

 impression of a brook or river, winding its way beneath 

 their shade. 



In landscapes, the Weeping willow is peculiarly express* 

 ive of grace and softness. Although a highly beautiful 

 tree, great care must be used in its introduction, to 

 preserve the harmony and propriety of the whole ; as 

 nothing could be more strikingly inappropriate than to 

 : ntermix it frequently with trees expressive of dignity or 

 majesty, as the oak, etc. ; where the violent contrast 

 exhibited in the near proximity of the two opposite forms, 

 could only produce discord. The favorite place, where 

 it is most true to nature and itself, is near water, 

 where 



" it dips 



Its pendent boughs, stooping as if to drink." COWPER. 



