DECORATIVE TREATMENT OF THE PINETUM. 285 



breadth of effect^ as are most deciduous trees in simi- 

 lar circumstances. Or they might be so distributed as 

 to compose what may be termed a shrubbery Pinetum ; 

 that isj they might be grouped on lawns^ with the groups 

 at distances suitable for trees and shrubs from fifteen to 

 twenty-five feet high^ so as to form a shrubbery much 

 more interesting than those planted in the usual com- 

 monplace way. The Pinacem, even when only a few 

 feet in height^ have forms which^ in combination with 

 their evergreen foliage, exhibit a most decided character 

 at all seasons. The shrubbery Pinetum is an interesting 

 decoration, not only for small residences, but for more 

 extensive pleasure-grounds in the higher parts of the 

 country, where many shrubs do not thrive ; but in this 

 case the selection must be made from the hardier species 

 of pines. 



Where a piece of unoccupied ground cannot be allot- 

 ted as space for a regular and formal Pinetum, con- 

 structed on scientific principles, a considerable collection 

 of pines may be formed in the woods, in which much 

 scenic beauty may be displayed, and all the interest 

 arising fi-om individual specimens may be preserved. 

 This plan can be most easily and successfully executed 

 when the trees, already planted, have not attained a 

 greater age than twenty or thirty years. ^Tien the 

 woods are older, much wider spaces must be cleared out. 

 In either case, however, a sufficient number of the old 

 trees must be removed to allow to the new groups or in- 

 dividual plants a suitable breadth of air and light from 

 above. When this is not attended to, the young trees 

 will be excessively drawn up, and so lose their natural 

 characters. Por the same reason, the old trees should 

 be early, but gradually, thinned out, in order that the 



