ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 57 



leading object in the scene, should form, as it were, the cen- 

 tral point, to which it should be the object of the planter to 

 give importance. In order to do this effectually, the large 

 masses or groups of wood should cluster round, or form the 

 back ground to the main edifice ; and where the offices or out- 

 buildings approach the same neighbourhood, they should also 

 be embraced. We do not mean by this to convey the idea, 

 that a thick wood should be planted around and in the close 

 neighbourhood of the mansion or villa, so as to impede the free 

 circulation of air ; but its appearance and advantages may be 

 easily produced by a comparatively loose plantation of groups 

 well connected by intermediate trees, so as to give all the 

 effect of a large mass. The front, and at least that side near- 

 est the approach road, will be left open or nearly so ; while 

 the plantations on the back ground will give dignity and 

 importance to the house, and at the same time effectually 

 screen the approach to the farm buildings, and other objects 

 which require to be kept out of view. 



From this principal mass, the plantations must break off in 

 groups of greater or less size, corresponding to the extent 

 covered by it ; — if large, they will diverge into masses of con- 

 siderable magnitude ; if of moderate size, in groups made up of 

 a number of trees. In the lawn — front of the house, appro- 

 priate places will be found for a number of the most elegant 

 single trees, or small groups of trees, remarkable for the beau- 

 ty of their forms, foliage, or blossoms. Care must be taken, 

 however, in disposing these, as well as many of the groups 

 that they are not placed so as at some future time to inter- 

 rupt or disturb the finest points of prospect. 



In more distant parts of the plantations will also appear 

 masses of considerable extent, perhaps upon the boundary 

 line, perhaps in particular situations on tlie sides, or in the 



