OF PLEASURE GROUNDS. 



359 



feet, and in that of a middling or inferior quality 

 4 or 5. It will be impossible to make the intervals 

 between these absolutely exact to an inch ; but 

 that is of less consequence, if a due uniformity be 

 preserved with regard to the principal trees. Straight 

 lines, excepting for particular purposes, as along the 

 sides of avenues, &c. or even rows of any kind, ought 

 to be carefully avoided. They have a formal and 

 most disagreeable appearance, and give easy admit- 

 tance to the wind,— an evil of the first magnitude. 



In planting,! the pits should be made such a size 

 as to contain the roots w^hen spread out at their full 

 length. No pruning, either of roots or branches, 

 should be practised, and fixing should be performed 

 by treading with the foot, without, however, knead- 

 ing the earth or rendering it hard. As the plant- 

 ing proceeds, the ground should be dug a full spit 

 deep, leaving the surface smooth and even. The 

 digging will be attended with several advantages. 

 It will^ leave the ground in that soft state which is 

 so favourable to the putting forth of young fibres, — 

 it will tend to mix the manure still more thoroughly 

 with the soil, and will render the ground much 

 more tractable to the hoe in summer than were the 

 operation negiected,^ — besides that it will give the 



