i^o COLOUR SCHEMES 



line and proportion. I found it planted as in the 

 upper plan ; the path stiffly edged with one kind of 

 Heath on one side and another kind on the other ; 

 the back planting in rectangular blocks ; near the 

 front, bushes of Veronica at exactly even distances, 

 and between each bush the same number of Heaths in 

 every interval quite stiffly planted. Some of the blocks 

 at the back were of Violets — plants quite unsuited 

 to the place. Yet, only leaving out the Violets, all 

 the same plants might have been disposed so as to 

 come quite easily and naturally as shown on the 

 lower plan. Then a thin sowing of the finer Heath 

 grasses, to include the pathway, where alone they 

 would be mown, and a clever interplanting of wild 

 Thyme and the native Wood Sage {Teucrium Scoro- 

 donia), common on the neighbouring heaths, would 

 have put the whole thing together and would have 

 given the impression, so desirable in wild planting, 

 of the thing having so happened, rather than of its 

 having been artificially made. 



In planting or thinning trees also, the whole ultimate 

 good of the effect will depend on this sense of form 

 and good grouping. If these qualities are secured, 

 the result in after years will be a poem ; if they are 

 neglected, it will be nothing but a crop. 



I can imagine nothing more interesting than the 

 guiding and part-planting of large stretches of natural 

 young woodland,' with some hilly ground above and 

 water at the foot. As it is, I have to be content with 

 my little wood of ten acres ; yet I am truly glad to 

 have even that small space to treat with reverent 

 thankfulness and watchful care. 



