PART VIII. PICTURESQUE PLANTING. 519 



in almost every situation, counteracting nature. Even in plea- 

 sure grounds or parks, a group of shrubs, or a few trees, placed 

 upon a rise, however gentle, set off the scene, as it were, at 

 once: but, plant them only in the low places, and they will re- 

 main until full grown before they have much effect; and at that 

 time, though the residence may have the appearance of wood 

 at a distance, yet, when it is examined particularly, the features 

 of the grounds are totally destroyed. There are many country 

 seats, that have a sufficient quantity of old wood, which, if it had 

 been planted with a proper regard to the natural variety of the 

 grounds, would have made them as superior to their present 

 state as that is now to such as are totally destitute of trees. It 

 is not meant, however, that no low situation should be planted, 

 or that trees should be placed formally on the summit of every 

 eminence; on the contrary, dells, dingles, and such rornantic 

 places, should be shaded with wood ; and not a group nor a 

 single tree should exist, but what appears connected with other 

 trees, as well as with the grounds. Taking the country in a 

 general point of view, the hills should be wooded ; the rising 

 grounds between the hills and the valiies diversified with gen- 

 tlemen's seats, pasture lands, and some corn fields; and the 

 lowest parts kept in a state of almost perpetual aration. Most 

 of these valiies, to prevent the stagnation of the air, and to suit 

 the particular mode of farming for which they are adapted, 

 should be free from plantations* and sometimes even from 



