'PART VIII. PICTURESQUE PLANTING. 457 



is pernicious, and should be guarded against; others are so 

 thin of boughs and leaves, that the rays of the sun will pierce 

 through the interstices; and these also must be rejected. This 

 may shew the necessity of attending to the nature and kinds 

 of trees that are planted for either of these purposes. 



It is the intention of this Chapter to shew, how essentially 

 necessary it is for the planter to be intimately acquainted with 

 the characteristic distinctions, and particular properties, of 

 trees and shrubs. He should not rest satisfied either with a 

 mere botanical, or a slight general knowledge; he should have 

 in his mind a clear and distinct picture of the character, pro- 

 perties, and peculiarities of eveiy individual species; that, 

 whenever a tree shall be wanted, that kind may instantly pre- 

 sent itself which is best fitted for his purpose. This injunction 

 will not be considered as too severe, when it is recollected that 

 almost every visual or picturesque effect in rural improvement 

 is produced by planting. 



