PART VIII. 



PICTURESQUE PLANTING. 



563 



in variety, may be* rendered interesting; or one composed of 

 firs, displeasing from the formality of their conic tops, may be 

 changed by taking away some trees entirely, and cutting the 

 tops from others. The last operation may also be applied to 

 conic trees when they are too prevalent upon a lawn or in a 

 park, or where they do not group well with buildings. It is true, 

 this is destroying the natural character of the tree. But the 

 conical form of the fir is a singular character in trees; and in 

 harmonizing scenery we must chiefly attend to her general 

 excellencies. Many of these operations are performed with ex- 

 cellent effect at Foxley. Under my direction, by this mode 

 of pruning, considerable effects were produced at Kingswood 

 Lodge. The formality of trees not pruned at all, and of others, 

 pruned only to a certain height by cattle, were also disguised 

 under my inspection at Barnbarrow, Castlewigg, and Drum- 

 in ond Castle * 



SECT. III. OF THINNING PLANTATIONS. 



Thinning is an operation of much more importance than 

 pruning; and on it, more than on any other point of after- 

 management, depends the quantity and modification of timber 

 produce. This operation has been so generally neglected in 



