88 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



such species must be chosen as harmonize with each other in 

 certain leading points. And, secondly, in intermingling trees 

 of opposite characters, discordance may be prevented and 

 harmonious expression promoted, by interposing other trees 

 of an intermediate character. 



In the first case, suppose it is desired to form a group of 

 trees, in which gracefulness or elegance must be the leading 

 expression. The willow alone, would have the effect ; but in 

 groups, willows alone produce sameness : in order therefore 

 to give variety, we must choose other trees which, while they 

 diflfer from the willow in some particulars, agree in others. 

 The elm has much larger and darker foliage, while it has 

 also a drooping spray ; the weeping birch differs in its leaves, 

 but agrees in the pensile flow of its branches ; the common 

 birch has few pendant boughs, but resembles in the airy 

 lightness of its leaves; and the three-thorned acacia, though 

 its branches are horizontal, as delicate foliage of nearly the 

 same hue and floating lightness as the willow. Here we 

 have a group of five trees, which is in the whole full of grace- 

 fulness and variety, while there is nothing in the composition 

 inharmonious to the practised eye. 



To illustrate the second rule, let us suppose a long sweeping 

 outline of maples, birches, and other light, mellow-coloured 

 trees, which the improver wishes to vary, and break into 

 groups, by spiry-topped, evergreen trees. It is evident, that 

 if these trees were planted in such a manner as to peer ab- 

 ruptly out of the light-coloured foliage of the former trees, 

 in dark, or almost black masses of tapering verdure, the effect 

 would be by no means so satisfactory and pleasing, as if there 

 were a partial transition, from the mellow, pale-green of the 

 maples, etc., to the darker hues of the oak, ash, or beech, and 

 finally the sombre tint of the evergreens. Thus much for 



