836 
THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
and for the obvious reason, that the laying' out and planting of that 
part of the grounds is subjected to a more frequent and closer in- 
spection, and, as a matter of course, to more severe criticism, than 
the others ; and, forming as it does the foreground of the picture, 
it necessarily bears the responsibility of setting off the background 
to the best advantage. I merely refer to these facts in order to show 
the importance of considering well the whole ground and its bear- 
ings before commencing work at all, and also the effect likely to be 
produced upon those parts of the scene where 
“ Distance lends enchantment to the view,” 
by any changes which may be proposed to be made close at hand. 
But the mention of a subject by way of illustration may serve to 
make the above remarks more easily understood. And as it is diffi- 
cult to make choice of a private demesne for such a purpose without 
perhaps giving offence, or running the risk of describing a place not 
generally known, I shall endeavour to obviate this by naming a 
mansion-house and grounds with which every Scotchman at least is 
familiar, and the esteemed proprietor of which is not likely to 
quarrel with us for so doing — I refer to Holyrood Palace, the man- 
sion of our beloved Queen ; taking, also, the Park, Salisbury Crags, 
Arthur’s Seat, and surrounding ground into account. 
The east front of the Palace, extending to the approach gate 
from the London Boad, including both sides of the drive, might 
with great advantage be planted to a certain extent. On the north 
side there are perhaps only two views worthy of being kept open ; 
the first, a peep by the corner of the Royal Terrace across the 
Perth, and having the Fife hills as a background ; the other, a pros- 
pect along the Forth, by the Bass Rock and seawards. If these two 
views were preserved, the remaining portion of this line should be 
closely planted up, so as to exclude some unsightly buildings and 
public works ; and, to do this effectively, a double row of trees in 
group would be required, consisting of deciduous and evergreen 
varieties alternately — the inner or wall line being composed of 
deciduous, and the outer or park line of evergreen varieties ; and, as 
the ground is somewhat narrow, it would be necessary to group the 
trees in triplets, and plant in zigzag form, as shown in the annexed 
diagram : — 
#2* *3* #4* 
* * * # 
* * * * 
*2* *3* *4# 
Such a double line of trees, consisting of eight groups of each 
variety, would, I think, be sufficient for the purpose above men- 
tioned, and they might be composed and ranged as follows : — Inner 
line (deciduous), commencing at the foot of the Royal Chapel, — 
group I, purple beech (Fagus s. purpurea)-, 2, scarlet oak {Quercus 
coccinea ) ; 3, purple sycamore (Acer purpurea) ; 4, large-leaved 
maple (A. macrophyllum ) ; 5, scarlet-flowering horse-chestnut (AEs- 
