Practical Considerations 153 



and defective unless their upper outlines, when fully grown, 

 are properly calculated upon. From some point of view, 

 whether nearer or more distant, the tops of almost every mass 

 of plants will cut the horizon, and stand out against a back- 

 ground of mere sky. If nicely disposed this sky outline will 

 yield the most charming effects. But it may also be hard 

 or tame, and thus become disagreeable or utterly ineffective. 



Fig. 48. Two Groups which look like One. 



By a reference to nature, especially in her older vegetable 

 forms, a few large and comprehensive hints may soon be 

 gathered on this point. In the horizontal outhnes of forest 

 groups, the greatest diversity, and yet the most pleasing 

 roundness and interfusion of parts, is observable. Like the 

 ground lines of shrubberies which I have just attempted to 

 sketch, there will be a great number of bolder or lesser curves 

 united to make up broader sweeps and more expansive varia- 

 tions. Occasionally a tree or shrub of some spiry or unusually 



