88 



PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



Tke common Oak is a magnificent tree wlien well 

 grown^ either in the wood or on tlie lawn. On the 

 latter it acqiures a broad^ spreading figure. It is also a 

 noble forest tree, and it should be planted wherever the 

 soil and climate are suitable. Its robust habit, its rect- 

 angular, contorted, and often horizontal branches, and 

 peculiar foliage, afPord a more diversified expression than 

 perhaps is to be found in any other hardy tree. Hence 

 the absence of monotony observable in great oak forests. 



The Scotch or Wych Elm is a fine, broad, spreading 

 tree, approaching to the characteristics of the oak. The 

 English Elm has smaller leaves, but denser branchlets, 

 and is a square-headed tree, often ascending to a great 

 height in a columnar form. The Beech, in sheltered 

 places, where it has ample room, forms a large stately 

 tree, of a full, graceful, feathery appearance. In exposed 

 localities it yields to the prevailing winds, and becomes 

 meagre and one-sided. When planted in a mass, it is 

 deficient in that repose which marks some of the kinds 

 abeady mentioned. The Lime is peculiarly a park and 

 lawn tree. Standing detached, in a sheltered situation, 

 it has a fine stately presence, particularly when its lower 

 branches droop; and it forms a noble avenue whether 

 open or close. The Spanish Chestnut is almost as fine as 

 the oak, and exhibits a broad green foliage, and a vary- 

 ing expression with the advance of the season. The 

 Horse-Chestnut has also a large foliage, and in early 

 summer throws out abundant spikes of showy flowers. 

 Its head is rather too uniform, yet when placed on the 

 outside of a plantation, or the lower edge of a bank, it 

 is often highly ornamental. The forms of the black 

 Italian and American poplars are of a rather inferior 

 description ; but some members of the family have good 



