FOREST TREES AND FOREST SCENERY 
they gradually merge with the neigh- 
boring trees in a way that was naturally 
foreshadowed in the conformation of 
the land and the composition of the soil. 
A feature so natural and self-evi- 
dent may hardly appear worthy of no- 
tice; but its value is appreciated as soon 
as we compare the outlines referred 
to with the rigid forms of some of the 
artificial forests of Europe. Those 
who have seen the checkered forests 
of Germany, where the design of the 
planted strip of trees, like a patch 
upon the mountain, is unmistakable, 
will readily note the contrast between 
the natural and the artificial type. 
Neither is there any striving for effect 
in the natural forest, an error not un- 
common in the tree groupings of parks 
or private estates. In these an effort 
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