casionally, low trees should be planted on the outer edge of the mass, to connect it with the humble verdure of the surrounding sward.

In many parts of the union, where new residences are being formed, or where old ones are to be improved, the grounds will often be found, partially, or to a considerable extent, clothed with belts or masses of wood, either previously planted, or preserved from the woodman's axe. How easily we may turn these to advantage in the natural style of Landscape Gardening; and by judicious trimming when too thick, or additions when too much scattered, elicit often the happiest effects, in a magical manner! In the accompanying sketch (fig. 19), the reader will recognise a portrait of a hundred familiar examples, existing with us, of the places of persons of considerable means and intelligence, where the house is not less meagre than the

[Fig. 19. View of a Country Residence, as frequently seen.]

stiff approach leading to it, bordered with a formal oelt of trees. The succeeding sketch (fig. 20) exhibits this place as improved agreeably to the principles of modern Landscape Gardening, not only in the plantations, but in the house,--which appears tastefully altered from a plain unmeaning parallelogram, to a simple, old English cottage,and in the more graceful approach. Effects like these

are within the reach of very moderate means, and are peculiarly worth attention in this country, where so much has already been partially, and often badly executed.

[Fig. 20. View of the same Residence, improved.]

Where there are large masses of wood to regulate and arrange, much skill, taste, and judgment, are requisite, to enable the proprietors to preserve only what is really beautiful and picturesque, and to remove all that is superfluous. Most of our native woods, too, have grown so closely, and the trees are consequently so much drawn up, that should the improver thin out any portion, at once, to single trees, he will be greatly disappointed if he expects them to stand long; for the first severe autumnal gale will almost certainly prostrate them. The only method, therefore, is to allow them to remain in groups of considerable size at first, and to thin them out as is finally desired, when they have made stronger roots and become more inured to the influence of the sun and air.*

But to return to grouping; what we have already en deavored to render familiar to the reader, may be called

* When, in thin ning woods in this manner, those left standing have a meagre appearance, a luxuriant growth may be promoted by the application of manure plentifully dug in about the roots. This will also, by causing an abundant growth of new roots, strengthen the trees in their position.

grouping in its simple meaning-for general effect, and with an eye only to the natural beauty of pleasing forms. Let us now explain, as concisely as we may, the mode of grouping in the two schools of Landscape Gardening heretofore defined, that is to say, grouping and planting for Beautiful effect, and for Picturesque effect; as we wish it understood that these two different expressions, in artificial landscape, are always to a certain extent under our control. PLANTING AND GROUPING TO PRODUCE THE BEAUTiful. The elementary features of this expression our readers will remember to be fulness and softness of outline, and perfectly luxuriant development. To insure these in plantations, we must commence by choosing mainly trees of graceful habit and flowing outlines; and of this class of trees, hereafter more fully illustrated, the American elm and the maple may be taken as the type. Next, in disposing them, they must usually be planted rather distant in the groups, and often singly. We do not mean by this, that close groups may not occasionally be formed, but there should be a predominance of trees grouped at such a distance from each other, as to allow a full development of the branches on every side. Or, when a close group is planted, the trees composing it should be usually of the same or a similar kind, in order that they may grow up together and form one finely rounded head. Rich creepers and blossoming vines, that grow in fine luxuriant wreaths and masses, are fit accompaniments to occasional groups in this manner. Fig. 21 represents a plan of trees grouped along a road or walk, so as to develope the Beautiful.

It is proper that we should here remark, that a distinct species of after treatment is required for the two modes. Trees, or groups, where the Beautiful is aimed at, should be

pruned with great care, and indeed scarcely at all, except to remedy disease, or to correct a bad form. Above all, the full luxuriance and development of the tree should be encouraged by good soil, and repeated manurings when necessary; and that most expressively elegant fall and droop of the branches, which so completely denotes the Beautiful in trees, should never be warred against by any trimming of the lower branches, which must also be carefully preserved against cattle, whose browsing line would soon efface this most beautiful disposition in some of our fine lawn trees. Clean, smooth stems, fresh and tender bark, and a softly rounded pyramidal or drooping head, are the characteristics of a Beautiful tree. We need not add that gently sloping ground, or surfaces rolling in easy undulations, should accompany such plantations.

PLANTING AND GROUPING TO PRODUCE THE PICTURESQUE. All trees are admissible in a picturesque place, but a predominance must be used by the planter of what are truly called picturesque trees, of which the larch and fir tribe,

and some species of oak, may be taken as examples. In Picturesque plantations everything depends on intricacy

[Fig. 22. Grouping to produce the Picturesque.]

and irregularity, and grouping, therefore, must often be done in the most irregular manner-rarely, if ever, with single specimens, as every object should seem to connect itself with something else; but most frequently there should be irregular groups, occasionally running into thickets, and always more or less touching each other; trusting to after time for any thinning, should it be necessary. Fig. 22 may, as compared with Fig. 21, give an idea of picturesque grouping.

There should be more of the wildness of the finest and most forcible portions of natural woods or forests, in the disposition of the trees; sometimes planting them closely, even two or three in the same hole, at others more loose and scattered. These will grow up into wilder and more striking forms, the barks will be deeply furrowed and rough, the limbs twisted and irregular, and the forms and outlines distinctly varied. They should often be intermixed with smaller undergrowth of a similar character, as the hazel, nawthorn, etc., and formed into such picturesque and strik