ON THE ARRANGEMENT OF PLANTS IN GROUPS. 
157 
and such as cover the tops or slopes of hills ; those which are to be viewed from a 
distance, and such as are near the common centre of observation ; with those which 
are above or below the spectator, and such as have to be traversed in order to be 
seen. 
Woods planted on a plain ought to be composed of the utmost possible diver- 
sity of materials. Irregularity or undulation of surface, which is always pleasing 
to the eye, not being here provided for by Nature, must be obtained by art. 
Hence, trees of various known heights, of different rates of growth, and having a 
great dissimilarity of foliage, should be employed in such situations. 
For the slopes or summits of hills, again, it is of much less consequence that a 
diversity of trees should be chosen. Indeed, a bank of Beeches or Oaks, if the 
slope be not very precipitous, or of Larches or Pines, where it is peculiarly steep, 
with a knoll of either of these kinds, or of Firs, produces a striking richness or 
massiveness of effect, and is often preferable to a mixture of trees. But where the 
top of the hill presents a continuous line without breaks or interruptions, it must 
not be planted entirely with one sort of tree, unless the specimens differ widely in 
age and size ; for nothing is more disagreeable than a long, flat, formal line standing 
up against the sky. 
Plantations that are to be seen from a considerable distance, ought to be very 
differently composed to those nearer the observer. Greatness of effect is to be 
sought, rather than variety. And as they will almost necessarily be upon hills, 
immense groups of one species of tree, or of trees that assimilate in general charac- 
ter, are better than the ordinary aggregation. We must repeat, however, that if 
the outline be at all inclining to a level, it is to be changed by leaving occasional 
blanks, or by the introduction of taller trees on the highest parts. We were 
lately much gratified by a peculiarity in the views from a celebrated ducal resi- 
dence, caused by judicious planting. Two or three ranges of hills rise gradually 
higher and higher as they near the horizon, and the farthest, which is of course 
the most elevated, is clothed with the sombre foliage of the Fir and Pine. Not 
only are these trees thus seen in their appropriate situation, as they naturally 
abound in high localities and remote from the dwellings of men, but, by their dark 
and gloomy aspect, give an amazing amount of distinctness to the hills they cover, 
and render what, from its distance, would be very imperfectly perceptible, a most 
conspicuous feature in the landscape. By this simple practice, besides showing out 
the hills in the foreground, and making a singularly ornamental component of the 
scene, it may be truly said, that, in appearance, an immense district is added to 
the domain. 
For woods that are more immediately within the range of vision, an additional 
variety of trees is necessary. Where the forms of the trees and their foliage can 
be readily discerned, it is little short of indispensable that they vary materially. 
If they be in a nearly level valley, there is a particular necessity for this, since no- 
where can a monotonous surface be less tolerated. Evergreen trees are scarcely 
