OUTLINES OF PLANTATIONS IN THE PARK. 79 



numerous small recesses and projections are equalty 

 wearisome j besides, when seen in front of their general 

 lines, their zigzaggeries are scarcely discernible, and, 

 indeed, the less the better. Instead of these, let the 

 projections be bold and the recesses deep, rather abrupt 

 than otherwise, yet without the appearance either of too 

 much angularity or of roundness. The outlines of 

 plantations and clumps in parks have very frequently 

 the expression of constrained formality, and that, we 

 beheve, from two distinct causes. The first is the 

 inferior character of the outlines themselves ; and the 

 second is the practice of planting the trees either close 

 up to the fences or in a line parallel with them. In 

 some places, where it may be ditficult to have the fences 

 so formed as to produce, by the projections and recesses 

 of the plantations, that degree of light and shade which 

 is desirable, a general line of fence must be formed, as 

 well as circumstances will allow, with a forward and 

 retiring bend where a projection and a recess are wanted, 

 the effect of the latter being brought out by the planting. 

 This is a usefal method to adopt with clumps. In these, 

 a general line of fence curving round the promontories, 

 if we may so call them, and bending towards, but not 

 entering deeply into, the bays, wiU be free from those 

 angularities which it is impossible to avoid when^^the 

 fence follows servilely the feathery outline of the trees. 

 At the first planting the proper recesses should be 

 left entirely vacant within the fence. Unless this is 

 done, one or other of two results is necessary, — either an 

 extremely irregular outline of fence, which from its 

 crooked continuity is offensive, or, if this is avoided, 

 the very great probability that the wood will never be 

 properly thinned and grouped out at an after period. This 



