304 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



The author remarks that, if we cannot extend our domain, 

 we may widen our prospect, and appropriate all the distant 

 beauties of the landscape to our own enjoyment. 



In the second book, the author treats more particularly of 

 trees. A tree is worthy the study of every observer : 



" Forever richly robed with fruits and flowers, 

 In beauty and in strength alike it towers: 

 How versatile, to please the changeful eye, 

 It springs from earth and rears its head on high ; 

 Or spreads around its rude and rugged arras, 

 In majesty, or elegance of charms ! 

 Now to the breeze it bends, and now it braves 

 The blast that round its knotted armor raves. 

 And varying still, adorns the various view, 

 With each diversity of form and hue." 



Again, how various are the arrangements of different trees 

 in the forest, in the grove, or on the open plain. In the for- 

 est a deep gloom prevails, reminding us of the shades of 

 night ; trees of more beautiful forms array the smiling glade ; 

 scattered clumps appear in the distance, or single trees spread 

 their branches majestically over the land, where they seem 

 to hold sway. Formerly, in the trim gardens of our ances- 

 tors, a tree was not allowed to attain its natural shape and 

 proportions. Nature was treated as if she had no power to 

 create a beautiful object without the aid of the shears and the 

 pruning knife. We have now learned that art can produce 

 no valuable work in landscape except by aiding nature and 

 copying her graces. Great care should be used, when en- 

 gaged in improving a landscape, in felling trees. Trace well 

 your plan, and ponder long upon the matter, before you sacri- 

 fice a tree ; and after you have determined to remove it, let 

 some time elapse before you execute the sad office. Think 

 how slowly that tree has grown to its present height ; how 

 many years were required to raise it to its present beauty and 

 majesty. Wealth cannot create a tree ; time alone can pro- 

 duce it, and succeeding generations only can behold it in its 

 perfection. 



" O, by those shades, beneath whose evening bowers 

 The village dancers tripped the frolic hours ; 



