ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 
107 
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 
spirv-topped trees should always be planted in considerable 
quantities in wild, broken, and picturesque scenes, where 
they will appear perfectly in keeping, and add wonderfully 
to the peculiar 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 prevailing beauty, and to complete the 
finish of the picture. In smooth, level surfaces, though 
spiry-topped trees cannot be thus extensively employee; 
they are by no means to be neglected 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 color, 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 bordering a large mass of 
deciduous trees, have great power in adding 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 profusely 
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 
