PLANTATIONS 83 



at different points, by planting in their midst at intervals 

 trees of large and distinct character, the value of the 

 general effect of that portion of the group or border 

 thus planted distinctly increases. All definite regularity 

 of these intervals should be avoided, but yet the relations 

 of their several positions will be improved by retaining an 

 intelligently fixed relation between them. 



For instance, on a small village lot it may be well to 

 plant elms at each corner of the place, and lindens or 

 planes at intervals that are not regular, but carefully 

 adjusted to some definite theory of arrangement that 

 takes into full account the shrubs that will be expected 

 to grow between them. In the same way, all shrub 

 groups are improved in an artistic sense by setting trees, 

 not at the middle nor in the ends, but at just such places 

 as a carefully thought-out scheme of arrangement will sug- 

 gest as most natural and beneficial to the general effect. 



It is undoubtedly true that the word " natural " may 

 not have a very precise meaning to many, but to such 

 readers the only explanation possible is to refer them to 

 the woods to acquire the proper instinct for this kind of 

 arrangement. The term rhythmic combination is not alto- 

 gether inapt in explaining the relation that should exist 

 between the trees and shrubs of a group or border. 



It should be remembered, in setting out groups of trees 

 and shrubs, that it is not well, if it can be avoided, to 

 plant shrubs, even those best suited for it, in the shade 

 of large, well-established trees, as the roots, as well as 

 the shade, tend to stunt and retard the growth of the 

 last set-out plants. If both shrubs and trees are set out 

 together at the same time, it is another thing, for then 

 neither one will impede the growth of the other for many 

 years. 



