82 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



of high mountains, where their forms and the direction of 

 their growth, seem to harmonize with the pointed rocky sum- 

 mits." Fir and pine forests are extremely dull and monoto- 

 nous in sandy plains, and smooth surfaces, (as in the pine 

 barrens of the southern states) ; but among broken rocks, 

 craggy precipices, and otherwise endlessly varied surfaces, 

 (as in the Alps abroad, and the various rocky heights in the 

 Highlands of the Hudson and the Alleghanies at home,) they 

 are full of variety. It will readily be seen, therefore, that spiry- 

 topped trees should always be planted in considerable quan- 

 tities in wild, broken, and picturesque scenes, where they will 

 appear perfectly in keeping, and add wonderfully to the pecu- 

 liar beauty of the situation. In all grounds, where there are 

 abruptly varied surfaces, steep banks, or rocky precipices, this 

 class of trees lends its efficient aid to strengthen the prevail- 

 ing beauty, and to complete the finish of the picture. In 

 smooth level surfaces, though spiry-topped trees cannot be 

 thus extensively employed, they are by no means to be neg- 

 lected or thought valueless, but may be so combined and 

 mingled with other round-headed and oblong-headed trees, 

 as to produce very rich and pleasing effects. A tall larch or 

 two, or a few spruces rising out of the centre of a group, 

 give it new life and spirit, and add greatly, both by contrast 

 of form and colour, to the force of round-headed trees. A 

 stately and regular white pine, or hemlock, or a few thin 

 groups of the same trees, peeping out from amidst, or border- 

 ing a large mass of deciduous trees, have great power in ad- 

 ding to the interest which the same may create in the mind 

 of the spectator. Care must be taken, however, that the very 

 spirited effect which is here aimed at, is not itself defeated by 

 the over anxiety of the planter, who, in scattering too profuse- 

 ly these very strongly marked trees, makes them at last so 



