510 ON USEFUL AND BOOK I. 



This is chiefly applicable to extensive plantations, where the 

 general character is grandeur; as woods, groves, and forests. 

 It is produced by mixing together tall and low growths ; plant- 

 ing irregularly, sometimes very close, at other times very wide; 

 — by pruning so as to expose trunks, steins, or branches, in 

 some places, and to conceal them in others, &c. Much of the 

 effect also depends on the diversity of age in the low growths, 

 as well as the difference of magnitude and accidental form of 

 the trees. 



This kind of variety exists in the greatest perfection in natural 

 forests ; and the true way to study its principles is, to observe 

 in them the effects of time, accident, the browsing of cattle, the 

 felling of timber, and other circumstances. By this means we 

 shall be enabled to transfer the same effects, sometimes by diffe- 

 rent, and sometimes, by similar methods, to artificial plantations. 

 Natural forests cannot be too strongly recommended to the ex- 

 amination of the ornamental planter. Almost every other ope- 

 ration of planting is mechanical; it is in this mode of grouping, 

 and following the principles of nature; that the man of taste will 

 be distinguished from the mere gardener. The effect of putting 

 in practice the principles to be derived from such a study may 

 be seen in Mr. Price's woods at Foxley, which no man of taste 

 ever saw without being filled with wonder and delight. 



