ON LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 29 



must not present any formal disposition. In fact, any tendency 

 to a regular aspect must be avoided. Fig. 24 shows some 

 groups of three or four. Of A, B, C, and D, the first (A) and 

 the last (D) are bad, being too regular; while B and C are 

 tolerable, though the trees are of a too regular aspect, being of 

 the same strength. In the forms E, F, G, and H there is a 

 more accentuated variety of aspect. The highest trees are those 

 marked a, while those of second height are indicated by b ; the 

 remainder are trees of varied and bushy appearance. The 

 differences of height and the forms of foliage produce a striking 

 diversity. 



When groups are composed of more than six trees, they must 

 be considered as consisting , of several groups, and not as com- 

 posing only one. Groups of two trees may produce good effects 

 but, as has been said, one must be bushy, and the other must 

 be slender and rise above the first. 



It is not advisable to group Conifers with other trees, except 

 when planting large wooded masses, where a few specimens here 

 and there, towering above the others, will break the sky-line. It 

 is better to group them by themselves, and to leave their lower 

 branches to develop themselves naturally, and cover the ground. 

 Conifers are very decorative, especially on a falling lawn, close 

 to rocks. If some shrubs are planted at the foot . of a big 

 tree, they must not form a circular group, but their outlines 

 must be as varied as possible. They must be all of one kind, 

 the tree providing sufficient contrast. In grouping trees, s the 

 pyramidal forms are kept in the middle. Poplars {Populus 

 nigra fastigiata) in small isolated quantities, on the banks of 

 rivers and lakes, look very nice, but their effect is enhanced 

 when supported by groups of Willows. 



The best time for planting is towards the end of the autumn, 

 when the trees have lost all their leaves, and thence till the 

 weather gets too frosty. In heavy, damp, and cold ground, 

 planting must be done only in the spring (in March and April). 

 Conifers can be planted from August to October. Several kipds 

 of evergreen shrubs and certain trees with fleshy roots, like the 

 Tulip-tree, Magnolia, and others, are better planted when growth 

 starts in the spring. The ground must previously have been dug 

 to a depth of about i\it. If the soil is poor and sandy, it is 

 advisable to add some clay; or, if it is too heavy, some sand 

 and lime. The subsoil, if impermeable, . must be well drained. 

 Large groups in the park are planted, as a rule, with small 



