26 



THE VILLA GAEDENER. 



with small ones. Hence, groups of aged trees among groups of shrubs do 

 not imite so as to form a whole, without the introduction of trees of an inter- 

 mediate size. In planting trees, even the kind of tree requires to be noticed, 

 with reference to the production of a whole. An equal number of spiry- 

 topped trees with round-headed ones in a group will not form a whole, from the 

 incongruity of their forms ; while a number of round-headed trees of the same 

 bulk, and equidistant from the eye, will not form a whole, from the sameness 

 .of their forms and magnitude. Even in sloping and smoothing the surface of 

 ground, the principle of a whole must constantly be kept in view ; for, if all 

 the cui-ves and the slopes are of the same curvature and inclination, and of 

 the same magnitude, they will not group ; because there will not be a central 

 or leading feature. There must be a prevailing slope ; one which takes the 

 lead, either from its magnitude, or its position relatively to the others. Sup- 

 pose/^i'. 12. and 13., to represent the sections of ground sloping from the front 



12 



of a house, it will not be denied that there is more of effect in fig. 13. than in 

 fig. 12. ; and the reason is, that there is a feature in fg. 13., produced by the 

 large slope which occupies the place of the two smaller undulations in^^. 12. 

 38. In Ictyiiig out and planting grounds, it is not only necessary to consider 

 how trees may form a whole with buildings, with themselves, with shrubs, with 

 ground, with water, with rocks, and even with fleeting objects, such as 

 animals; but how they may form a whole with the objects at diffei'ent seasons 

 of the year. Thus, one part of the place must not be entirely planted with 



evergreens, and a corresponding part, which is seen at the same time, planted 

 with deciduous trees. In looking down from the windows of a house, whether 

 on an extensive park, or on a lawn of a few acres, it would be unsatisfactorj', 

 during winter, to see the principal masses of plantation, on the one hand, 

 all, or even chiefly, evergreens, and, on the other, all, or chiefly, deciduous 

 trees. It would also be unsatisfactory to see evergreens equally mixed 

 together throughout the view, instead of being so distributed, and yet so con- 

 nected, as, at a distance, to imite in forming one grand whole. 



39. Regularity and symmetry. — In the modern, or irregular, style of land- 

 scape-gardening, as well as in the irregular style of architecture, which, 

 whether under the name of Gothic or Italian, is the style of country houses 



