
            209997

Apr 8 1929 RC

On PLANTATIONS and PLANTING.

Of the major part of the PLEASURE GROUND PLANTIONS in this
kingdom, which at much labour and expence have of late and,
former years been executed, the Trees and Shrubs they contain will be
found, on examination, to be very injudiciously arranged. The reason
why many plantations, after eight or ten years planting, appear unsightly,
is owing to an improper intermixture of the plants; whereas had they been
rightly disposed, we should not see so many hollows or openings, nor bottoms
of trees with decayed branches, but the whole would be covered with
verdure down to the very front, in an easy theatrical manner, and in summer
scarce a stem visible:  but how often may be seen a tall growing tree
near the front of a plantation, and further back various humble shrubs,
rendered still more diminutive by the over-spreading branches of such tree,
whose proper place should have been behind those less growing plants,
where they might more freely enjoy the benefit of sun and air so necessary
for vegetables. This error of planting in part arises from the planter's not
considering, at the time of setting young trees and shrubs, to what
height they commonly grow when arrived at perfection; also there may 
be divers [diverse] plants among the collection drawn from the Nursery, whose
heights bear no proportion to each other when grown up, and are therefore
too often promiscuously planted according to their present appearance
of size. To which may be added, the unnecessary hurry the planter is commonly 
in to get the plants into the ground as soon as possible, left the roots
should dry. This work might more leisurely be done by first properly disposing 
the plants near where they are to be planted, and covering their roots
with earth, wet straw, &c. to keep them moist; and when the holes to 
receive them are ready, they may be drawn out and planted judiciously
with that care they require: for as the future beauty of the plantation depends
on the first arrangment of the plants, too much attention cannot be
given to their disposition and proper intermixtures.

HAVING given these observations concerning Pleasure Ground Plantations 
in general, it may be necessary to notice some particulars of planting,
common of late years. Where the plantations are not very large, it has been
customary to intermix deciduous trees with evergreens. This mode of disposition
is not displeasing in summer, when the deciduous trees display their
foliage which makes a good contrast with the dark evergreens; but at the
approach of winter, and during that season when the deciduous trees are
stript of their verdure,  to many persons such appearance is disgusting; and
for this reason it is, many Gentlemen of taste, in their plantations, have
separated the evergreens and deciduous treees into distinct clumps, which
certainly have a better effect than to see a pine, or fir, surrounded with a 
number of leafless trees: therefore, where such intermixtures are required,
it would be more pleasing to the eye, to dispose each kind, in large groups,
alternately; for in the summer months they will for a more striking contrast 
with each other, than by the more common method of intermixed
planting; and in winter the evergreens will appear more conspicuous than
when
        