SURFACES TO BE PLANTED. 



115 



the natural inequalities of the ground, and the produc- 

 tion of a dull uniformity. Of course, while recom- 

 mending the planting of wood on the higher positions, 

 we do not mean that the smooth outline of every green 

 hill should be exchanged for a serrated one of trees 

 placed over it. Still less would we recommend the 

 capping of all the knolls with clumps of wood, which 

 is in as bad taste as planting up all the hollows. "We 

 would have some of the hills or rising grounds in the 

 park covered with masses of wood feathered out toward 

 the bottom, with scattered groups thinly distributed 

 across the valle} T s. In other cases, the rising grounds 

 might be clothed with groups becoming thinner toward 

 the top, and thickening as they descend on both sides. 

 Where there are low green hills with fine outlines, the 

 summits of one or more of these should by all means 

 be left vacant, and a curtain of wood drawn along the 

 lower slopes and base, and even the adjacent valley. 

 Where there is no such variety of surface as we have 

 supposed above, or where the park is of limited extent, 

 each case will fall to be dealt with as the natural char- 

 acter of the place will suggest or allow, regard being 

 had to the general import of the principles already 

 indicated. The planting of the sloping banks of the 

 platforms which constitute the main area of some 

 parks, and of the ravines by which they are intersected, 

 has often a wretched effect. This is owing to several 

 causes ; for example, to their being formed without 

 relation to other groups or masses in the park, and to 

 their trees appearing above the banks, and dividing 

 the land with what seems a meager, ill-grown belt. 

 When such places are planted, they should form a por- 

 tion of some of the more general combinations in the 



