plantations 201 



yet, here also, the individual tree must be sacrificed, 

 if need be, to the general group. 



"It may happen that a tree which, taken alone 

 is most beautiful, does really disturb the effectiveness 

 and harmony of the whole, and then it must be 

 sacrificed. Such occasions however are very rare, 

 and I unfortunately know from my own experience 

 that a slight alteration of my plans would often 

 be sufficient to spare a precious veteran whose ex- 

 ecution at first seemed unavoidable. At all events, 

 before applying the executioner's axe, be sure to 

 deliberate not once but many times. It may be 

 that the importance which I give to this matter may 

 appear exaggerated, yet a true lover of nature will 

 understand me, and excuse the qualms of conscience 

 that half a dozen trees murdered without reason 

 continue to cause me. On the other hand, my only 

 consolation is that by boldly cutting down other 

 trees I have made such great improvements, that 

 the gain outbalances the loss. Besides, there is no 

 denying that more can be accomplished in one day 

 by the removal of a few big trees, than by planting 

 thousands of specimens in a hundred years, and that 

 the loss of a couple of these is not to be regretted if 

 their number is increased a hundred-fold to the eye 

 by making so many others visible which had pre- 

 viously been quite obscured. This is so certain, 

 that, although I have not been blessed with a surplus 

 of ancient trees in my park, yet I have succeeded 

 in apparently multiplying tenfold the number of 



