GROUPING OF PLANTATIONS IN THE PARK. 



pleasure-grounds and gardens the dotting system has 

 also intruded : in these, figures containiag shrubs and 

 flowers, as well as single shrubs and trees, are often 

 . sprinkled with the most undeviating regularity. The 

 main object would seem to be to leave unoccupied no 

 piece of grass or plat of ground above a certain and very 

 moderate size. On the lawns of many gardens this 

 paltry and tasteless system has been carried out to the 

 greatest perfection. A better taste, indeed, is now 

 being diffused; we have, however, obsen^ed a finished 

 specimen of this style in a garden of great preten- 

 sion and celebrity, and which is supposed to exhibit 

 the very perfection of British gardening. A pinetum 

 is dotted over an extensive lawn, without respect to the 

 natural physiognomy of the trees, and, what is more 

 surprising, without any regard, so far as we could dis- 

 cover, to their botanical afl&nities as species. A few- 

 formal clumps of rhododendrons lend their aid to com- 

 plete the general insipidity. It must be admitted, at 

 the same time, that it is seldom that lawns are dotted 

 with such hardy tenants. They are fi'equently filled 

 with half-hardy objects undergoing the miseries of accli- 

 matizing experiments* ; and the eye is regaled with the 

 stunted growth and discoloured foliage in summer, and 



* All efforts, in tlie way of accommodating the plants of warmer 

 regions to onr somewhat ungenial clime, ouglit to be encouraged 

 and promoted, as every additional hardy tree or shrub is so much 

 clear gain to garderdng. Bnt the transition or training processes 

 should be kept ia then* proper place, viz., the enclosed garden. 

 T^Tiere beauty of scenery is the object aimed at, the trees and 

 shrubs should be sufficiently hardy for the average climate of the 

 locaKty. Those slightly tender, or requiring shelter from cuttiug 

 winds, may find some warm quiet nooks ia the flower-garden 

 or pleasure-grounds. 



