THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
335 
follow, in every particular, aucli a method of operation as will bring 
out this distinguishing quality to the best advantage, and at the 
same time prevent the exhibition of what may seem incongruous and 
inconsistent with the scene regarded as a whole. The motley mix- 
ture of the Scotch fir, the spruce, and the larch, shown in many 
plantations, in promiscuous position, even after the trees have 
attained their maturity, is far from producing a fine etfect; and, 
although such an arrangement might have been found necessary 
when planting, for the sake of providing suitable nurses, there is no 
reason why that order should continue to be maintained with the 
permanent trees. 
Viewed from a short distance, a plantation presents the most 
imposing appearance when the trees are grouped or massed together 
according to their several varieties, and when all the irregularities of 
the ground are taken advantage of in order to suit the most efficient 
display of the various kinds. And where the policies are of even 
limited extent, and the material placed at his disposal is compara- 
tively scanty, the landscape gardener who has taste and judgment 
will always make the most of his resources ; and it is surprising, 
when skill is enlisted, how far slender means may be made to go, 
and how moderate-sized plantations can be made to look much more 
extensive than they really are. The opportunities afforded for the 
opening-up of scenery worthy of being shown, or the shutting out 
from view such objects as are disagreeable, or in bad keeping with 
the general prospect, by the judicious use of deciduous or evergreen 
varieties of trees, aud preserving the sky-line perfect and unbroken, 
while at the same time it may be kept waving or undulating, are all 
points which the eye of the practical man will readily seize upon 
and turn to account. 
Let ns take for granted that the mansion-house is the stand- 
point from which the landscape should take its rise. In the laying- 
out of our ancient Scottish country seats, the most seems to have 
been made of such material as could be obtained at the time — the 
oak, the ash, the beech, and the lime, with here and there a silver 
and Scotch fir, and perhaps a chestnut. But, for the adornment of 
our modern parks, a much more extensive assortment is demanded ; 
and when so many valuable additions have been made to our list of 
trees, which now embraces foliage of the most beautiful and varied 
shape, and all shades of green, yellow, purple, and scarlet, much 
wider scope can be given to the taste for rural embellishment than 
could formerly be afforded. The style and grouping of the policies 
around the mansion-house must, of course, always be regulated by 
the situation and the nature of the ground, respect being had to the 
perspective view ; while every knoll or elevation shonld be made 
available for the purpose of increasing the effect of the scene, and 
any notable prospect should be carefully kept open, with here and 
there a peep at such romantic-looking rocks or mountains as the 
vicinity can show. 
Perhaps no part of landscape gardening operations is more diffi- 
cult to deal with than those which are proper to that portion of the 
policies which lie in the immediate vicinity of the mansion-house ; 
