PART VIII. 



PICTURESQUE 



PLANTING, 



537 



much more harm than good. The outline is also greatly 

 varied, and much improved, by mixing low growths with tim- 

 ber trees along the boundary of the plantation ; and afterwards 

 by taking away the fence, and making partial inroads or re- 

 cesses of different forms and degrees of depth. In open groves, 

 where the trees stand single, and have no fence, the outline is 

 easily varied, and with great effect. The different forms, co- 

 lours, and shades of green, when no other mode is applicable, 

 may often have a surprising effect in apparently varying the 

 boundary of a plantation. At Keddleston, near the house, is a 

 straight line which forms the boundary of an oak wood ; but 

 near to one end are three larches, which bend forward from the 

 other trees, and so far diversify the outline as to take away 

 every appearance of formality. Groups and thickets, when 

 planted in place of a circular fence, like a clump, should al- 

 ways have the most irregular outline. This irregularity is ap- 

 parently increased, by mixing low with tall growths at plant- 

 ing ; by removing the fence when these are grown to a certain 

 height; and by judicious thinning. The great beauty of small 

 groups and single trees, arises from their connexion*, and the 



* ' In the Liber Veritatis, consisting of above three hundred drawings by- 

 Claude, I believe there are not more than three single trees. This is one strong 

 proof (and I imagine the works of other painters would fully confirm it) that those 

 who most studied the effect of visible objects, attended infinitely more to connexion 

 than to separate forms. The practice of improvers is directly the reverse.' — 

 Price's Essay s> Vol. I. p. 321. 



3 z 



