158 
ON THE ARRANGEMENT OP PLANTS IN GROUPS. 
adapted for such localities ; yet, if they be planted sparingly, and at intervals, 
they will increase the diversity of form and colour in the summer, and answer the 
same end even more effectually during winter. One great object in preparing a 
wood of this description, should be by having specimens, or masses composed of 
several sorts, far enough apart to break up the whole into individual heads, of 
greater or less dimensions. By such a plan, and a proper amalgamation of the 
different varieties, a perfectly level piece of land may be made to present an as- 
tonishing irregularity of surface. If, again, the home woods be upon hills or their 
faces, beyond seeking to give them a motley-hued aspect in their verdurous state, 
it will be well to plant them so, that in autumn, with the change of the leaf, there 
shall be every attainable variety of tint. Thus, some trees shed their foliage 
sooner than others, and some assume a darker shade of yellow or red, while ever- 
greens seem to have their colour deepened by the contrast of the decaying vegeta- 
tion around them. It may savour of fancifulness ; yet we cannot help asserting, 
that as much depends on the arrangement of trees, with respect to their colour 
both in summer and autumn, as on the grouping of flowers. The tones of the one, 
it is true, are not so decided or arresting as those of the other ; but they are quite 
as impressive to an observant mind. And we think that there is scarcely a finer 
sight in Nature, than a hill-side, arrayed in the numberless tints which autumn 
imparts to trees, when these are harmoniously blended. 
Assemblages of trees that are situated above the level on which the spectator 
stands, whether near or remote from his gaze, have to be considered chiefly in their 
superficial outline, or the manner in which they tower into the sky. Whatever 
may be the elevation of an eminence, it becomes tame and spiritless if the planta- 
tions upon it exhibit one unvarying straightness of surface. And while it is not 
practicable to give undulation on a large scale to the earth itself where Nature has 
denied it, advantage may be taken of the slightest depressions to leave them 
uncovered, just ensuring that the trees below them shall prevent their bareness 
from being seen ; while similarly trfliing elevations may be planted with some of 
the taller- growing trees. In this way, a general undulation may be occasioned ; 
and the minuter degrees of diversity necessary can be caused by using trees of 
different altitudes and shapes, as well as by omitting one or two trees here and 
there on the extreme summit. 
For hills in the distance that have to be looked up at, the spiry tops of Larches 
and Firs constitute an admirable clothing, particularly when only the end of the 
range, or a solitary eminence or mound, is seen from the mansion. As before 
hinted, Pines have a majestic effect when bounding the prospect, and many miles 
from the beholder. On the hills around home, common trees may be planted. 
Especial care is, however, needful to guard against the uppermost ones being seen 
through, except at the tops. To avoid this, they can easily be fronted and backed 
by other trees. The objection to seeing their stems is, that besides being in them- 
selves unsightly when thrown out against the sky, they do away with that rich, 
