Book IV. 



OPERATING WITH WOOD. 



1007 



may promote the idea. On other occasions," where the heath or waste may he so bleak 

 as to convey no agreeable expression, and therefore is, of course, struck out entirely 

 from the improved scene, a sort of connection may be given, by advancing strips or 

 rows from the boundary plantation into the heath. Even single or scattered trees, if 

 they can be protected in that situation, will have a tendency to produce that sort of con- 

 nection required ; and, while it gratifies the proprietor's love of appropriation, will please 

 the eye of the traveller, who views the country as a whole, and delights to observe the 

 harmony and beauty of its principal features. Having disposed of the whole, and of 

 the parts, as far as respects their general effect and connection, what remains to be 

 considered is, the sort of tree, manner of disposing the plants, fences, and future 

 management. 



7209. When the object in view is the expression of art and design, the propriety of employ- 

 ing species of trees different from those which are natural to, or most abound in the 

 surrounding country, is obvious. In a country of common pine, the spruce and silver firs 

 and cedar afford a choice. In a country of oaks or elms, chestnuts, limes, and places, 

 form suitable contrasts. Where the plantations are extensive, the value of the timber 

 must always be a principal object ; and, therefore, the contrasted trees should be chosen 

 accordingly. Some species, however, are so happily adapted for this style, and as orna- 

 mental trees in both styles, that they ought seldom to be omitted excepting near the 

 house : such for example, as the horse-chestnut, lime, Spanish-chestnut, plane, luccombe 

 oak, cedar, stone pine, &c. As the four last species mentioned are, in exposed situations, 

 liable to injury from extraordinary severe winters, a few hardier sorts, resembling them 

 in general appearance, should be intermingled in the plantation, to preserve the larger 

 masses in case of accident, but to conform with the general effect in color and style of 

 foliage, as well as in form. Different species ought not in general to be mixed together 

 in the masses ; one, or at most two, conforming varieties are sufficient ; more would de- 

 stroy the breadth of color of the mass, and the character of its surface. Different 

 masses, avenues, and more minute parts, may, however, be planted with different spe- 

 cies of trees ; rare sorts may be also introduced in lines, along the front of many of 

 the masses, ranged along stars, crosses, &c. The snowdrop-tree, from its beautiful 

 blossoms, and the birch and hazel, for the display of their catkins during winter, are 

 well calculated for walks adapted to that season of the year, and should be planted in 

 front of pines, or other evergreens. Such also is the principal situation for flowering 

 shrubs, and no plants can be more showy than the horse-chestnut, common lilac, acacia, 

 guelder-rose, Portugal laurel, holly, bird-cherry, pyrus, mespilus, and laburnum, in similar 

 situations, and for general purposes. In distributing the species of tree in extensive masses, 

 the same general principles of composition must be attended to, which we have pointed 

 out, as far as respects form. The colors and character of the heads of the trees must be 

 connected, and, at the same time, to a certain de'gree contrasted, in order to produce an 

 artificial and yet harmonious effect. 



7210. Whether the new va- 

 rieties of American and other J 

 trees, obtained since the intro- y 

 duction of landscape-garden- 

 ing, are to be admitted under 

 this style of improvement may 

 be questioned by some. We 

 answer, certainly, unless where 

 the object is the imitation of an 

 ancient residence (Jig- 690.) ; 

 and there can be no doubt that 

 where such is the object, exotic 

 trees will destroy part of the 

 illusion ; but we do not con- 

 tend for the revival of the an- 

 cient style solely as producing 

 imitations and allusive charac- 

 ters, or on account of its an- 

 tiquity, but as a distinct mode " s "* ->, 

 of gardening. We would 

 therefore not copy its faults 



or study its defects, but add to its beauties from all the resources furnished by the pre- 

 sent improved state of the arts of design, as well as by the continued accession to our 

 stock of trees and shrubs. If however a positive imitation of an ancient residence is 

 intended, then the species of tree should be limited to those used in ancient times, as well 

 as the forms and lines of their disposition. 



7211. The manner of disposing the plants is influenced by the same principle of avowed 



690 



