152 Notices of large Trees 



plants, should be placed in the small recesses formed between the ever- 

 greens ; so that the general outline eventually should be formed chiefly or 

 entirely by the evergreens. 



As to the outline of shrubberies, in a majority of cases we find them 

 composed of nothing but tiresome belts, running parallel to the walk ; and 

 if we meet with any thing like a mass or group detached, it must of course 

 be an oval or a circle : indeed, these ovals, circles, and parallel lines are 

 " the sins which most easily beset" a gardener. He is so much accus- 

 tomed to them from his first entrance into horticultural life, that it is a 

 miracle if he escape their trammels. Surely a continual play of outline, 

 without adhering to any particular figure (except in the case of parterres 

 and works avowedly artificial), is more in accordance with nature, and at 

 the same time more graceful. The margin of grass also (whilst it must 

 remain an edging), cut off by this style, adds to the elegance of the scene. 



However, I protest against the continuance of formal edgings to shrub- 

 beries after the principal object is attained, of well covering the soil with 

 elegance of form and beauty of tints ; and I enter fully into the spirit of 

 your observations to that effect, as expressed in your Magazine (Vol. VII. 



E. 543.). In planting the banks of water, if picturesque effect is desired, 

 am satisfied that the readiest way to obtain it, as far as trees and shrubs 

 are concerned, is by thick planting ; for pendulous forms are, beyond doubt, 

 indispensable in this situation. I wonder much that such other accompani- 

 ments as Uvedale Price recommends are not more frequently attempted. 

 Surely there are tasteful hands engaged in our profession, which could 

 accomplish such matters. I own it would be rather daring: but whilst 

 such materials as ponderous fragments of stone, and large roots or mossy 

 trunks of trees are at hand, with a fine variety of rock plants and climbers, 

 to effect a partial concealment ; whilst the soil can be undulated, and trees 

 be made to grow in almost any position, surely the difficulties should not 

 be considered as insurmountable. 



In the formation of walks, I have generally found that those which are a 

 trifle below the level of the grass which bounds them always look most 

 graceful to the eye ; and then, by levelling the turf, and causing the margin, 

 as it were, to die into the walk, those stiff, deep, formal edgings, of which 

 you so justly complain, will be done away with. There should be no 

 perfect levels longitudinally, if they can be avoided. The wet will of 

 course hang sluggishly on such walks ; whilst, by gradual undulations length- 

 wise, a very slight convexity of surface will be sufficient. 



I remain, Sir, yours, &c. 

 Oulton Park Gardens, Nov. 8. 1831. Robert Erringtox. 



Art. IX. Notices of large Trees in theUnited States and in Canada. 

 Communicated by James Mease, Esq. M.D., Philadelphia. 



The great elm of Boston Common is 22 ft. in circum- 

 ference. The Charter oak, in Hertford, Connecticut, 22 ft. 

 An elm at Northampton, Massachusetts, is 21 ft. ; another 

 22 ft. ; and a third, 28 ft. in circumference. An elm at Spring- 

 field, Mass., is 22| ft. and one 26\ ft. in circumference. A white 

 pine[PinusStrobus]on the Kaatskill Mountains, New York, is 

 247 ft. long. (Dr. Dwight's Travels^ vol. iv. p. 21.) On the 

 Unadilla, Dr. Dwight mentions pine trees 3 ft. in diameter, 



