THE planter's GUIDE. 



123 



forcibly turn the stream from its course ; but it will 

 break with tenfold violence on the opposite side. In 

 the same way, if by close and continued plantations 

 you endeavour altogether to exclude the wind, it will 

 contrive to assail you in some quarter, and, rushing in 

 with fury at the first opening it can find, do incalcu- 

 lable mischief The art, therefore, of controlling either 

 element, consists in judiciously breaking it into parts, 

 and thereby dividing, and consequently weakening, its 

 force. 



It is on this simple principle — when fine landscape effect 

 is produced on the surface of a park, by means of 

 large open dispositions of wood, and of groups and 

 scattered trees, creating a succession of rich and varied 

 pictures — that the climate is best ameliorated, and the 

 most effectual defence against the elements is pro- 

 cured, whether for plants or animals, or for the comfort 

 and accommodation of man. In this instance we see 

 that beauty and utility entirely coincide ; for wherever 

 park scenery is most successfully cultivated, there heat 

 and cold are best modified on woods. It is under 

 such circumstances that trees uniformly develop themselves 

 in their most natural and most perfect proportions, and 

 display the fullest luxuriance of health. Thus, the places 

 which are planted in the best style are always the most 

 efiectively sheltered ; and thus good sense and good taste 

 will be found here, as in most other things, to unite in 

 the same object, and mutually to strengthen and confirm 

 each other. 



Obvious and satisfactory as this doctrine may appear, 

 its soundness is not universally admitted, even by men of 

 discernment and understanding. There is a very intelli- 

 gent and worthy friend of mine, who reasons in a very 

 different way from this on the best method of defending 



