20 Planting so as to combine Utility and Ornament. 



themselves; the sorts were oaks, Spanish chestnuts, and elms. 

 Then others of the same kinds, but of a less size, were planted 

 between them as temporary plants, to -effect an immediate blind, 

 by way of filling up the spaces until the principal trees begin to 

 extend their branches, when the supernumerary trees are to be 

 taken out in two, three, or four years, to plant again as single 

 trees, or in groups, hedgerows, or for any other purpose for 

 which they may be wanted, as they will be suitably prepared for 

 such purposes ; otherwise they must be cut down or taken out, 

 before they injure the permanent trees. The other spaces 

 should be filled up with beech and hornbeam, which, when 

 headed down, generally retain their foliage through the winter 

 months, when such thick cover is most wanted. Such plants 

 for undergrowth I take care to divest of their leading upright 

 shoots, at from 4 to 6 or 7 feet high, according to their ap- 

 pearance and effect with the side branches of the intended 

 permanent trees. Divesting them of their upright aspiring 

 shoots prevents them from getting up to injure the permanent 

 trees, and increases their lateral or side branches, so as to fill 

 up the blind and keep a permanent undergrowth. This work 

 should be attended to for a few years, to prevent them acquiring 

 fresh leaders, which they are naturally inclined to do. 



At the base of the permanent trees I planted young hollies, 

 either common or variegated, for future effect, at from 1 ft. to 

 2 ft. from the stem, with the head leaning towards it, to allow 

 for the increase of the trunk or stem, as well as to form a surer 

 mark than any other I could think of to know the permanent 

 trees by. Then, round the outsides of the belt, and occasionally 

 in the interior, I planted spruce and silver firs, and Scotch 

 pines, each kind by themselves in groups or masses as it were ; 

 the firs from 4 to 6 or 7 feet in height; taking special care to 

 shorten the leading upright shoot, or break out the central 

 leading bud of the upright shoot, at the desired height; also to 

 shorten or break out the central or leading bud of the side 

 branches where necessary, to thicken the blind, and prevent them 

 getting out of bounds and destroying or injuring the fences. 

 The Scotch pines should be principally at or near the outside, 

 as they do not endure under the shade so long as the spruce 

 and silver firs. In front of this belt, viz. the side most in view, 

 were planted various kinds of evergreen, deciduous, and va- 

 riegated dwarfish flowering trees and shrubs; at least to be kept 

 dwarf so as not to injure the effect of the permanent forest trees 

 in the background; as well as more effectually to insure the 

 main object, an effectual permanent blind, not forgetting em- 

 bellishment as well. Although I have recommended beech and 

 hornbeam for under-cover, I would prefer common hollies, 

 common laurels, rhododendrons, or other suitable evergreens, 



