INTRODUCTION. 



However small the plantation be, those 

 abrupt terminations which mark the limits 

 must not be permitted. The shrubbery 

 should harmonize with the surrounding 

 scenery, and appear to blend with it into 

 one. 



The plants which stand nearest the dwell- 

 ing must be of the dwarf kind, and of the 

 most beautiful sorts. The trees, also, should 

 be selected so as to correspond with the style 

 of building. The villa shows best when sur- 

 rounded by light ornamental trees, such as 

 the birch, the acacia, the sumach, the labur- 

 num, and cypress ; and a clump of poplars 

 may sometimes be introduced, so as to break 

 the line with good effect. The cottage may 

 have more rustic trees; while to the castle 

 belong the oak, the ash, and the pine. The 

 mansion admits of all at their proper distance, 

 and in suitable situations. 



One of the most important things in plant- 

 ing is to attend particularly to the shades of 

 green, especially where the view from the 

 house or lawn catches the trees. Flowers, 

 which Pliny calls the joys of the trees, con- 

 tinue but for a short period, in comparison to 

 the duration of foliage ; therefore, the picture 

 should be formed by judiciously contrasting 

 the greens. Even the effect of perspective 



