358 



PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



that the pruning of trees in the pinetum is most suc- 

 cessfully performed in July. This result indicates that 

 the proper time for this work is when, the season's 

 growth being far advanced, and the now of sap abated, 

 there is little danger of an excessive exudation of 

 resinous matter from the wounds. We may add, that 

 it is generally inexpedient to take off large limbs from 

 this class of trees. 



Decorative Treatment of the Pinetum. — The 

 pinetum, when planted separately, as it is desirable it 

 should be, is best arranged in groups, with irregular 

 lawns passing between them ; the larger trees occupy- 

 ing the leading positions, and those of lower growth or 

 shrubby character filling up the secondary places. The 

 groups should be made up of the generic and sub- 

 generic divisions, as given in our enumeration of the 

 species. In the genera Juniperus and Pinus, some 

 of the sub-generic sections may require to be further 

 broken down, otherwise many of the species must be 

 so placed that they will have enough of room only for 

 their partial development ; or they must be dotted out 

 at such distances as nearly to ungroup the whole. 

 Where there is a liberal allowance of ground to be 

 occupied by the pinetum, we should be disposed to 

 recommend that the groups should be constructed with 

 principal trees, arranged on strict botanical principles, 

 but planted very sparsely ; and that the intervals be- 

 tween these main trees should be filled up with inter- 

 esting duplicates of the same or allied species, to act 

 as nurses, or to be temporary occupants, till the whole 

 space is required by the others. This plan, of course, 

 implies a continued and resolute thinning-out, as the 

 pinetum advances to maturity. We do not think it 



