ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 
81 
picturesque, and to remove all that is superfluous. Most of 
our native woods, too, have grown so closely, and the trees 
are consequently so much drawn up, that should the improver 
thin out any portion, at once, to single trees, he will be 
greatly disappointed if he expects them to stand long ; for 
the first severe autumnal gale will almost certainly prostrate 
them. The only method, therefore, is to allow them to re- 
main in groups of considerable size at first, and to thin 
them out as is finally desired, when they have made 
stronger roots and become more inured to the influence of 
the sun and air.* 
But to return to grouping ; what we have already en- 
deavoured to render familiar to the reader, may he called 
grouping in its simple meaning — for general effect, and 
with an eye only to the natural beauty of pleasing forms. 
Let us now explain, as concisely as we may, the mode of 
grouping in the two schools in Landscape Gardening here- 
tofore defined ; that is to say, grouping and planting for 
Graceful effect, and for Picturesque effect, — as we wish it un- 
derstood that these two different expressions, in artificial 
landscape, are always, to a certain extent, under our control. 
Planting and Grouping in the Graceful School. 
The elementary principles in this school, our readers will 
remember to be fulness and softness of outline, and perfectly 
luxuriant development. To insure these in plantations, we 
must commence by choosing, mainly, trees of graceful habit, 
and flowing outlines ; and of this class of trees, hereafter 
more fully illustrated, the American elm, and the maple 
* When, in thinning woods in this manner, those left standing have a meagre 
appearance, a luxuriant growth may be promoted by the application of manure 
plentifully dug in about the roots. Tbis will also, by causing an abundant 
growth of new roots, strengthen the trees in their position. 
11 
