50 



PLANTING. 



ties ; to conceal defects ; and never to sacrifice common sense to 

 pageantry." 



The forming of woods, or the alteration of their appearance 

 in the distance, in some situations, is of considerable importance in 

 producing a picturesque effect. In this department, when a wood 

 is to be formed, it is judicious to select such trees as will become 

 profitable to the proprietor, as well as improve the scenery of the 

 villa ; either are powerful inducements to planting of waste lands : 

 such plantations should be composed of trees according to the nature 

 of the soil. Larch and spruce fir will be found to thrive in almost 

 any soil, and are of very quick growth ; where oak can be intermixed, 

 both effect and value will be augmented. Dr. Hunter observes in his 

 Evelyn's *' Sylva," that " The oak, the pride and glory of the forest, 

 demands our first attention." Of the genus Quercus there are about 

 thirty different species, many of which have numerous varieties ; such 

 only as relate to ornamental scenery are here noticed. The following 

 are best adapted for parks : — 



Quercus robur, common oak, 



ilex, evergreen oak, 



suber, cork-barked oak, 



— alba, white oak. 



Quercus cerris, Turkey oak, 



vars. Luicomb and 



Fulham oaks. 



The Quercus robur, or common oak, is well known to attain to a 

 great size, but it is slow in growth : in woods it rises to a very con- 

 siderable height; but singly it is rather a spreading tree, sending 



