454 ON USEFUL AND BOOK I. 



Where picturesque variety is to be produced, the forms col- 

 lected should be the most irregular that can be found; and 

 these should be disposed in a manner still more so. The co- 

 lours should be forcible and striking; and so contrasted, as 

 to prevent monotony, without destroying harmony. The fra- 

 grance also should be of a corresponding nature. — It will be 

 thought by some, that these distinctions are too nice; but those 

 who are conversant in trees and shrubs will allow, that a neat 

 gravel walk, winding easily through a smooth turf, among va- 

 ried groups of such trees and shrubs as the willow, lime, acacia, 

 arbutus, lilac, jasmine, honeysuckle, rose, &c. will have quite a 

 different effect, and smell, from those of a path in a rugged 

 dell, forcing itself through irregular groups and thickets of 

 oak, elm, thorns, bramble, elder, dogwood, spurge, &c; and, 

 if we were to add appropriate plants and grasses to each 

 scene, their effects, particularly as to smells, would be much 

 stronger. 



Where a degree of grandeur or sublimity is to be produced, 

 the effect will generally depend more upon the outline and ex- 

 tent of the plantation, than on the kind of trees planted. But 

 oaks, chesnuts, and pines, are in their very conformation grand 

 and impressive ; they have besides solemn and gloomy colours ; 

 and, when collected together, are better suited to this purpose 

 than others of more light and airy shapes and gayer tints. 



