ON IMPROVING OLD PLANTATIONS. 
115 
Much of what has been said in a previous article on the mode of planting an estate, is 
of course applicable to the present subject, especially as to principles. Still, it will be 
desirable, without repeating what was there put forth, to touch anew on some of the points 
then suggested. 
The principal thing in dealing with established plantations, is to get rid of everything 
like long lines of them, unless these are absolutely useful to screen some ugly objects, or 
for shelter. And the nearer such extensive woods come to the house, they become more 
objectionable. Especially, however, is this the case when they shut out interesting scenery, 
or cramp and darken an extensive property. In such instances, they take the character of 
huge green walls or hedges, chiefly superior to walls of brick or stone from their more 
pleasing colour ; but, in their best state, wretchedly monotonous and wearisome. The eye 
seeks in vain to get out of this prison-like inclosure, and range over the free country 
beyond ; or, in the case of a hilly boundary, to furnish the imagination with the means of 
filling up the distance. But all is blank, uniform, and dark. 
It is for destroying this tiresome sameness, and obtaining a varied outline, and opening 
up glades beautifully chequered with light and shadow, and making frameworks to the 
remoter pictures, that the thinning and re-arrangement of large plantations is so desirable. 
And besides the additional extent of view which the practice would reveal in most instances, 
the very separation of a large mass of trees, near the mansion, or in the middle distance, 
into three or four small groups, well connected by single trees, would make the part so 
treated, and the ground in front of it, to appear much more extensive. 
To take these points, however, somewhat more in detail, the first object to be attained 
by the division of long plantations is to bring the trees into masses. These should be as 
varied as possible in regard to size and outline; both of which features must be determined 
by reference to the shape of the ground, and the nature of the country behind them. In a 
district where there is much undulation of surface, the masses of plantation should mostly 
be left on the swells, or on the slopes of these, and be larger or smaller in proportion to 
the breadth of such elevations. At some points, again, it will be necessary to admit broad 
and ample views *of the surrounding country ; and in others, narrower peeps or vistas will 
be most appropriate. This, of course, will be regulated by the character of the country, 
and the size and number of the objects that require shutting out. And all these things 
will help to fix the dimensions of the masses to be preserved. What it is mainly important 
to guard against, in this process of thinning, is that too great a number of spotty groups 
is not left, that they be not too similar in character, and that, in a hilly tract, the 
plantations retained are not all placed, like beacons, merely on the summit of each eminence. 
They should likewise be most irregularly disposed as regards distance from the house. 
Much attention will be required in the formation of such masses to keep their outlines 
soft and agreeable, and to leave a sufficient number of smaller or well-furnished trees 
along their margins to carry down their branches, so as to sweep the ground. The edges, 
too, of any opening should by no means be square or straight, or have tall bare stems 
standing forward along them, but, as a general rule, should be indented in the middle, 
and have either the front or back swell stand more or less forward. This, by occasioning a 
greater thinness at the outer corners, will contribute to lighten the group, connect it better 
with any scattered specimens, and relieve it of all squareness. There may be cases, 
however — as in very small masses, for example — where such a rule will not apply, and 
where greater roundness and denseness will be an actual beauty. Indeed, it is a certain 
degree of roundness or freedom from angularity, which constitutes the charm of the outline 
of all masses reposing on turf. 
Another mode in which the outline of detached masses of trees will demand considera- 
tion, is in respect to the fence by which it is inclosed along the front. Where such a fence 
exists, it will be a great improvement to throw it back within the margin of the plantation, 
leaving a few specimen trees irregularly dotted about before it, so as to conceal it from 
view. This plan will also afford the means of varying the front outline of a mass where it 
has been defective ; and the fence thus moved, will be as effectual a barrier as before to 
cattle, or whatever it may be wanted to exclude from the plantation. 
