190 Landscape Gardening 



diversifying the groups, the harsh Hne of a hedge may be 

 nearly hidden. A wall or close paling, where there is no 

 hedge, might be similarly darkened and concealed by the 

 same means, taking care to prune down the plants partially 

 and irregularly at points where, after they acquire their full 

 size, they would intercept the view. The propriety of using 

 common thorns and common hollies jointly for this purpose 

 will be seen when it is remembered that they are both indige- 

 nous plants, that both grow naturally into irregular and pic- 

 turesque shapes, and that both, when quite established, are 

 sturdy and prickly enough to deter cattle froir. attacking 

 them. 



One of the chief advantages of the plan is, that though 

 the plants thus used will require protection frcm cattle till 

 they have thoroughly grown, they n:ay subsequently be left 

 entirely unprotected. 



10. Shelter Plantings. — New plantations will cftcn call 

 for a greater or less amount of temporary shelter, as they 

 may happen to be in any degree exposed, or as the plants in 

 them may want what is usually styled "nursing." In some 

 exposed districts a few coarse and rapid-growing kinds, 

 towering above the mass of the plantation, will catch and 

 break the power of the breeze, and if in foliage, preserve 

 the lower and better sorts wholly unharmed. Several species 

 of poplar and willow are found to be the most valuable of 

 such nurses, and their mean appearance may be well endured 

 for a time, in consideration of their services. They should 

 be gradually cut out as they become less needed, and entirely 

 destroyed as soon as they have thoroughly done their work. 



Poplars, maples, and Norway spruces will, with a few 

 others, be useful in more inland places, when scattered among 

 the better kinds temporarily, to give them a good start. An 

 ornamental tree or plant, so far from being injured by having 



