330 



PARKS AND PLEAS UKE-GRO UNDS . 



a more clothed character, and improves the general 

 effect of the ornamental scenery. 



Hitherto we have been adverting to an arboretnm 

 formally constructed as such, and of considerable ex- 

 tent ; we may now view it as an appendage to the park 

 and pleasure-grounds of a country residence. In such 

 a case, its site should be chiefly in the pleasure-grounds, 

 where it can be mingled with, or made to form a part 

 of the dressed grounds. Such a position is generally 

 advantageous, as the walks and keeping of the envi- 

 rons afford great facilities for the culture and the dis- 

 play of trees and shrubs. We would, however, by 

 no means recommend the occupation of the whole 

 grounds With a botanical arboretum. A place of this 

 description would present numerous groups of a scien- 

 tific character ; but the incessant variation of the forms 

 and foliage of the trees and shrubs would certainly 

 diminish greatly, if it did not altogether destroy, the 

 harmonious repose produced by considerable masses 

 of the same kind of tree. Groups composed of single 

 specimens of the different species of oaks, (QuereusJ 

 elms, (JJlmusJ planes, (Acer,) etc., would be utterly 

 deficient in that graceful and impressive dignity which 

 is exhibited by large groups and masses of the English 

 oak and other common species of the above mentioned 

 genera. We do not deny that there are other species 

 of these genera but little known, which would be as 

 effective were they treated in the same way ; but we 

 mean that in ornamental planting there must be some 

 breadth of the same boughs and foliage before any 

 pleasure can be conveyed to the mind apart from the 

 interest created by variety. 



Tn making part of the pleasure-grounds the basis of 



