WHITE, OR COMMON BIRCH. 231 



inferior soils, it ought to be freely introduced in belts 

 and narrow plantations intended for shelter or breakwinds 

 in open exposed districts. 



As an ornamental tree in landscape gardening, the Birch 

 is one of the most beautiful we possess, exhibiting a grace 

 and elegance in its form and foliage that, if equalled, is 

 not surpassed by any other of our indigenous trees, being, 

 as Coleridge expresses it, 



most beautiful 



Of forest-trees, the Lady of the Woods." 



Its introduction, however, into lawns and ornamental 

 grounds ought to be regulated by the situation and cir- 

 cumstances of the place, for we agree with Loudon, that 

 there are certain associations connected with this, and 

 indeed with many other indigenous trees, where such 

 happen to be the prevailing growth of the country, that 

 are unfavourable to their use in artificial, or as he terms 

 it " gardenesque 1 '' scenery : thus, it would be inconsistent and 

 contrary to sound principles of taste, or rather, we should 

 say, to the associations attached to this tree in its native 

 habitats, to plant it upon lawns in the Highlands of Scot- 

 land, or in any districts where it is indigenous or the 

 prevalent tree ; though, as he observes, " in the neighbour- 

 hood of London, and many other parts of England, it 

 may justly be admitted, even on lawns, as one of the 

 most elegant of our ornamental trees." 



In the romantic scenery of Scotland, the Weeping Birch 

 forms one of its most beautiful and bewitching features ; 

 oft have we admired its graceful form, in the well-known 

 pass of Killicrankie, on the shores of Loch Awe, the banks 

 of the Spey, the Dee, and various other well-remembered 



