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LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
ing outline of maples, birches, and other light, mellow-colour- 
ed trees, which the improver wishes to vary, and break into 
groups, by spiry topped, evergreen trees. It is evident, that 
if these trees were planted in such a manner as to peer ab- 
ruptly out of the light-colored foliage of the former trees, 
in dark, or almost black masses of tapering verdure, the effect 
would be by no means so satisfactory and pleasing, as if there 
were a partial transition from the mellow, pale-green of the 
maples, etc., to the darker hues of the oak, ash, or beech, and 
finally the sombre tint of the evergreens. Thus much for 
the colouring ; and if, in addition to this, oblong-headed 
trees, or pyramidal trees, were also placed near t and partly 
intermingled with the spiry-topped ones, the unity of the 
whole composition would be still more complete.* 
Contrasts, again, are often admissible in woody scenery, 
and we would not wish to lose many of our most superb 
trees, because they could not be introduced in particular 
portions of landscape. Contrasts in trees may be so violent 
as to be displeasing ; as in the example of the groups of the 
three trees, the willow, poplar, and oak : or they may be 
such as to produce spirited and pleasing effects. This must 
be effected by planting the different divisions of trees, first. 
* We are persuaded that very few persons are aware of the beauty, varied and 
endless, that may be produced by arranging trees with regard to their colouring. It 
requires the eye and genius of a Claude, or a Poussin, to develope all these hidden 
beauties of harmonious combination. Gilpin rightly says, in speaking of the dark 
Scotch fir, “ with regard to colour in general, I think I speak the language of paint- 
ing, when I assert that the picturesque eye makes little distinction in this matter. 
It has no attachment to one colour in preference to another, but considers the beauty 
of all colouring as resulting, not from the colours themselves, but almost entirely 
from their harmony with other colours in their neighbourhood. So that as the 
Scotch fir tree is combined or stationed, it forms a beautiful umbrage or a murky 
spot.” 
