64 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



the grounds, their apparent height is increased ; but by plant- 

 ing the hollows, all distinction is lessened and broken up. In- 

 deed, where there is but a very trilling and scarcely perceptible 

 undulation, the importance of the swells of surface already ex- 

 isting is surprisingly increased, when this course of planting 

 is adopted ; and the whole, to the eye, appears finely varied. 



Where the grounds of the residence to be planted are level 

 or nearly so, and it is desirable to confine the view, on any 

 or all sides, to the lawn or park itself, the boundary groups 

 and masses must be so connected together as, from the most 

 striking part or parts of the prospect, near the house for ex- 

 ample, to answer this end. This should be done, not by 

 planting a continuous, uniformly thick belt of trees round the 

 outside of the whole ; but by so arranging the various outer 

 groups and thickets, that when seen from the given poi7its, 

 they shall appear connected in one whole. In this way, 

 there will be an agreeable variation in the margin, made 

 by the various bays, recesses, and detached projections, which 

 could not be so well efiected, if the whole were one uniformly 

 unbroken strip of wood. 



But where the house is so elevated, as to command a more 

 extensive view than is comprised in the demesne itself, another 

 course should be adopted. The grounds planted must be 

 made to connect themselves with the surrounding scenery, 

 so as not to produce any violent contrast to the eye, when 

 compared with the adjoining country. If then, as is most 

 frequently the case, the lawn or pleasure-ground join, on 

 either side or sides, cultivated farm lands, the proper connec- 

 tion may be kept up by advancing a few groups, or even 

 scattered trees, into the neighbouring fields. In the middle 

 states, there are but few cultivated fields, even in ordinary 

 farms, where there is not to be seen, here and there, a hand- 



