172 Observations on Irish Planting. 



His taste for the beautiful forms of nature, his imagination 

 supported by the rules and principles of art, guide him quickly 

 and with a certain hand, and show him where his woods are to 

 project in expressive masses, and where they are again to retreat 

 in shade; where hills are to arise, and valleys be sunk; what 

 lines the brook flowing through flowery meads is to describe ; 

 and where the soft wavy lines, or the bolder, sharp, obtuse- 

 angled, and slightly curved outlines, are to describe and deter- 

 mine forms, &c. 



It must be observed, that the artist, while drawing the un- 

 dulating line, should not look backwards, because he is in danger 

 of losing his imaginary line, and of pursuing another which cannot 

 harmonise with the first nor be successfully continued with it.* 



Art. VIII. Observations on Irish Planting. By T. T. 



Extensive planting in Ireland can scarcely be dated more than 

 sixty or seventy years back. 



The Elm is certainly an introduced tree, no plants in truly 

 wild situations having been found. The English elm is far 

 more hardy and vigorous in growth than the wych, bearing its 

 leaves fully three weeks longer in autumn. The elm bears 

 transplanting at a more advanced age than any other tree. It 

 grows as vigorously standing exposed, as in the shelter or society 

 of other trees. The dust and smoke of towns do them little 

 injury. At Crookstown, in the county of Tyrone, is a magni- 

 ficent avenue of elms, planted in 1774; yet the soil, in many 

 parts, was mere turf bog, covered by a road. Silkworms will 

 feed on the leaves when very young. Its vivaciousness is great ; 

 pieces turned up accidentally by the plough have grown into 

 trees. There are elms at Dunkerron upwards of 100 years 

 planted, in full vigour, and about 3 ft. in diameter at 8 ft. from 

 the ground. The date of its introduction is unknown ; but, as it 

 has a distinct name in the Irish language, it must be very distant. 



The Horsechestnut bears the utmost rigour of cold of our 

 winters. 



The Lime Trees leaves are not subject to be devoured by 

 insects, as those of the elm ; its increase is rapid ; its branches 



* Walks should be somewhat curved to carry off" the moisture, but without 

 their being so much so as to be inconvenient to the pedestrian or dangerous 

 for carriages. A road 10 ft. wide may be raised in the middle 3 or at most 4> 

 inches, and one of 15 ft. from 5 in. to 6 in. They must not form any ridge in 

 the middle, but must describe a uniform flat segment of a circle, in which the 

 fall is equally divided, and thereby rendered convenient to all. 



