110 
LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
are in excellent keeping, and contribute much to give 
value to the leading expression. 
When drooping trees are mixed indiscriminately with 
other round-headed trees in the composition of groups 
or masses, much of their individual character is lost, as 
it depends not so much on the top (as in oblong and 
spiry trees) as upon the side branches, which are of 
course concealed by those of the adjoining trees. Droop- 
ing trees, therefore, as elms, birches, etc., are shown to 
the best advantage on the borders of groups or the 
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boundaries of plantations. It must not be forgotten, but 
constantly kept in mind, that all strongly marked trees, 
like bright colors in pictures, only admit of occasional 
employment ; and that the very object aimed at in 
introducing them will be defeated if they are brought 
into the lawn and park in masses, and distributed 
heedlessly on every side. An English author very justly 
remarks, therefore, that the poplar, the willow, and the 
drooping birch, are “ most dangerous trees in the hands 
of a planter who has not considerable knowledge and 
good taste in the composition of a landscape.” Some of 
them, as the native elm, from their abounding in oui 
own woods, may appear oftener ; while others which 
have a peculiar and exotic look, as the weeping willow, 
should only be seen in situations where they either do 
not disturb the prevailing expression, or (which is better) 
where they are evidently in good keeping. “ The weeping 
willow,” says Gilpin, with his usual good taste,' “is not 
adapted to sublime objects. We wish it not to screen 
the broken buttress and Gothic windows of an abbey, 
or to overshadow the battlements of a ruined castle. 
These offices it resigns to the oak, whose dignity can 
