162 



PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



in the autumnal tints. "We hold that evergreens, even 

 in winter, are lightened and set off by the contrast of 

 the deciduous trees with which they are intermingled, 

 and in summer the harmonizing effects of the mixture 

 are even more striking. We are disposed to think 

 that in the park and pleasure-ground the fir tribe 

 should never be planted alone and in separate clumps. 

 "We would hardly allow them to amount to more "than 

 a third of the whole trees, in the plantation, thicken- 

 ing them in some places, and blending and shading 

 them off with the deciduous species in others. This 

 is also a good method of planting firs when the sur- 

 faces of large masses of wood are to be seen at a dis- 

 tance. "We beg the reader, however, to remark that 

 we have been speaking of the ornamental grounds, not 

 of the outfield woods or mountain forests. 



In regard to the question, Ought masses of trees to 

 be planted with one species only, or with an admix- 

 ture of many? it is important to determine whether 

 the masses in question are to be considered as viewed 

 from without or from within. If they are to be con- 

 templated from without, we hold that there should be 

 always some admixture of kinds, to obviate that dull 

 uniformity to which we have above alluded. If they 

 are to be viewed from within, it cannot be doubted 

 that a grove of unmingled oaks and beeches, or elms, 

 especially if the trees have attained the dignity of age, 

 has a much finer and more imposing effect than a pro- 

 miscuous gathering of all manner of trees. Even the 

 surface of the ground and its smoother sward acquire, 

 in such circumstances, a more attractive, because a 

 more harmonizing aspect. Planters are too apt to 

 confine their regards to the external appearance of 



