256 



PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



On the other hand there are many fine trees and shrubs 

 but little planted, which, with judicious treatment, might 

 tend to remove the reproach of " the shrubbery's in- 

 sipid scenes." Much remains to be done in this way ; 

 and it is not to be doubted, that a moderate-sized but 

 well-selected arboretum is the most effectual means of 

 doing it. It may be added, that, though the pleasure- 

 ground affords the most desirable site for the arboretum, 

 there are many parks in which it may be planted in the 

 woods, especially where'^there are walks, or where they 

 can easily be formed. On the outskirts of the woods, or 

 along the sides of open rides penetrating into their in- 

 terior, a pretty fall arboretum might be formed, com- 

 posed of trees and of the stronger and less ornamental 

 shrubs, reserving the more showy or less hardy species 

 of both for the decoration of the dressed grounds. An 

 arboretum in the woods might exhibit more of the linear 

 arrangement than is admissible in any other situation ; 

 and the irritative variety, which is felt to be so offensive 

 in the pleasure-ground, would be softened if not wholly 

 sunk in the ponderous masses of the surroimding trees. 



