482 Shrubbery and Ornamental Planting. 



flowers in masses, instead of frittering away the effect by spot- 

 ting individuals over the entire garden, becoming more generally 

 appreciated in every successive season. 



If the plot of ground to be planted be a circle, precisely the 

 same course may be adopted in circles, instead of lines ; but some 

 judgment must be exercised, in this case, in placing the plants 

 with reference to aspect, as some thrive best towards the sun, 

 and others in the shade. In any intermediate form, the same 

 principles may be observed. Experienced planters will see that 

 this will be the mere skeleton of a plantation for some years to 

 come ; but my principle is, that the proper position of every tree, 

 with reference to the space it will occupy at maturity, should be 

 first determined ; the intervals may then be filled up, according 

 to the means and taste of the planter, to produce immediate 

 effect; bearing in mind, however, that every tree or shrub 

 employed for this purpose is destined to ultimate removal or 

 destruction, and must on no account be permitted to come in con- 

 tact with those permanently located, which will demand annual 

 attention. The intervals may be filled up between the fence 

 and the forest trees, if any be planted, between these and the 

 pines and firs, and between the latter and the flowering shrubs, 

 with larch, ash, birch, &c. : which, when cut out, will be useful 

 for fencing. These may be planted not less than 8 ft. or 10 ft. 

 apart, to come out at from twelve to twenty years' growth, ac- 

 cording as the progress of the permanent trees may require ; and 

 the spaces between the latter may, if thought too great, be again 

 filled up with birch, hazel, and other woods useful for garden 

 purposes and firing, as soon as the larch, &c, require room. 

 The spaces between the deciduous flowering shrubs, between 

 these and the evergreen flowering shrubs, and between the 

 latter and the flowers, should be filled up with plants of the 

 same description ; to be transplanted or cut up when their neigh- 

 bours, destined to remain, require it. If expense be not an 

 object, ornament maybe considered, rather than utility, in filling 

 up the intervals throughout ; if the planter has nerve enough 

 to sacrifice a fine shrub, in due season, as readily as an ash or a 

 larch. 



There is a certain description of persons who lay claim to 

 much taste in these matters ; and who, in discussing the mode 

 of laying out lawns, or in criticising those which exist, are 

 eternally canting about nature, and producing natural effects. 

 These persons will at once proscribe my views as being in shocking 

 bad taste, horridly formal and artificial ; but they will not, or 

 cannot, see the obvious distinctions between a waste, a forest, a 

 park, and a lawn. I am confining myself exclusively to the 

 latter, with reference to which it is sheer nonsense to talk about 

 imitating nature. No one practically suffers nature to set her 



