108 
LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
craggy precipices, and otherwise endlessly varied surfaces, 
(as in the Alps, abroad, and the various rocky heights in the 
Highlands of the Hudson and the Alleghanies, at home.) they 
are full of variety. It will readily be seen, therefore, that spiry- 
topped trees should always be planted in considerable quan- 
tities in wild, broken, and picturesque scenes, where they will 
appear perfectly in keeping, and add wonderfully to the pecu- 
liar beauty of the situation. In all grounds, where there are 
abruptly varied surfaces, steep banks, or rocky precipices, this 
class of trees lends its efficient aid to strengthen the prevail- 
ing beauty, and to complete the finish of the picture. In 
smooth level surfaces, though spiry-topped trees cannot be 
thus extensively employed, they are by no means to be neg- 
lected or thought valueless, but may be so combined and 
mingled with other round-headed and oblong-headed trees, 
as to produce very rich and pleasing effects. A tall larch or 
two, or a few spruces, rising out of the centre of a group, 
give it life and spirit, and add greatly, both by contrast 
of form and colour, to the force of round-headed trees. A 
stately and regular white pine, or hemlock, or a few thin 
groups of the same trees, peeping out from amidst, or border- 
ing, a large mass of deciduous trees, have great power in ad- 
ding to the interest which the same awakens in the mind 
of the spectator. Care must be taken, however, that the very 
spirited effect which is here aimed at, is not itself defeated by 
the over anxiety of the planter, who, in scattering too profuse- 
ly these very strongly marked trees, makes them, at last, so 
plentiful, as to give the whole a mingled and confused look ; 
in which neither the graceful and sweeping outlines of the 
round-headed, nor the picturesque summits of the spiry-topped 
trees predominate ; as the former decidedly should, in all 
scenes where the expression is not stronger than that of mere 
graceful beauty. 
