160 



PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



natural drainage effective. Occasionally, beautiful 

 Scotch firs, spruces and larches may be seen in favor- 

 able situations a little above the level of the sea. 



Many species of lirs require to be planted thickly at 

 first, in order to prevent them from forming bushy 

 trees when young, and for the purpose of throwing 

 the main growth of the tree into the leading stem; 

 but in ornamental plantations they should be thinned 

 out at an earlier period, and afterward to a greater ex- 

 tent, than is necessary in woods grown simply for the 

 sake of timber. They will thus have room to develop 

 themselves into their natural forms, instead of being 

 drawn up into bare poles with small tuftecl heads. On 

 level or slightly-inclined surfaces, frequent openings or 

 glades should be formed through them, in order to re- 

 lieve the heavy effect which they would otherwise have. 



Intermingling of the Different Forms and Col- 

 ors. — In the actual practice of planting, the various 

 kinds of trees are generally mingled together; and 

 though this is often done with little taste, and on no 

 fixed principles, it shows that in the common appre- 

 hensions of men, the beauty of woodland scenery con- 

 sists very much in the contrast and combination of its 

 •diversified materials. It will readily be perceived that 

 no precise general rules can be laid down on this sub- 

 ject. Much must be left to the taste of the proprietor 

 and designer. Some particular effects, however, may 

 be mentioned as attainable by the use of certain trees. 

 For example, a mass of laurels and hollies in the plea- 

 sure-ground may be improved both in dignity and ex- 

 pression by having a few of the finer species of firs 

 introduced into its center. And in the park, a plant- 

 ation of deciduous trees may have its sky-line elevated 



