74 



PARKS AND PLEASIJRE-GIIOTJNDS. 



tions of one may advance towards the recesses of another. 

 In many cases they may be blended into one whole by 

 means of groups of trees scattered ronnd and amongst 

 them j these will produce a light and varied effect^ and 

 tend to counteract any formahty in the general outhnes. 



Grouping or Combination of Plantations in the Park. 

 — In our previous remarks, we have taken for granted 

 that some general arrangement of the different bodies 

 of wood should be adopted. It is necessary to insist 

 on this principle, for it is very frequently overlooked 

 or neglected. We often see isolated masses occupy- 

 ing positions, for which no apparent reason can be dis- 

 coveredj and which probably were selected from the 

 original low value of the ground in an agricultural point 

 of view. Trees, the remains of old hedge-rows, or of 

 departed clumps, or of woods that have been removed, 

 are dotted over extensive surfaces. Fences, dividing the 

 park into separate fields, draw their meagre and ungrace- 

 ful lines perhaps through the very centre of a fine 

 breadth of view. The effects of such misarrangements 

 are confusion, incongruity, or at least a sad diminution 

 of the pleasure which the other features of the scene 

 might have afforded. To avoid these unfortunate results 

 some general system of grouping should be sedulously 

 followed. In extensive parks of from 1000 to 2000 

 acres, there is often room for three or four or even more 

 main combinations, such as we have specified in a pre- 

 vious article. In more limited localities the principal 

 grouped masses wiU of course be fewer in number, or 

 on a reduced scale. When these have been marked out, 

 the subordinate masses, clumps, and groups are to be 

 laid down in proper co-ordiriation. Single trees should 

 be scattered irregularly here and there in such a manner 



