ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 



63 



[ Fig. 4. View of the same Residence improved.] 



Where there are large masses of wood to regulate and ar- 

 range, much skill, taste and judgment, are requisite to enable 

 the proprietors to preserve only what is really beautiful and 

 picturesque, and to remove all that is superfluous. Most of 

 our native woods too, have grown so closely, and the trees 

 are consequently so much drawn up, that if the improver 

 thin out any portion at once to single trees, he will be 

 greatly disappointed if he expects them to stand long ; for 

 the first severe autumnal gale will almost certainly prostrate 

 them. The only method, therefore, is to allow them to re- 

 main in groups of considerable size at first, and to thin them 

 out as is finally desired, when they have made strono-er roots 

 and become more inured to the influence of the sun and air.* 



One of the loveliest charms of a fine park is, undoubtedly, 

 variation or undulation of surface. Every thing accordingly 

 which tends to preserve and strengthen this pleasing charac- 

 ter, should be kept constantly in view. Where, therefore, there 

 are no obvious objections to such a course, the eminences, 

 gentle swells, or hills, should be planted in preference to the 

 hollows or repressions. By planting the elevated portions of 



* When, in thinning woods in this manner, those left standing have a meagre 

 appearance, a luxuriant growth may be promoted by the application of ma- 

 nure plentifully dug in about the roots. This will also, by causing an abund- 

 ant growth of new roots, strengthen the trees in their position. 



