319. With respect to the distribution of the kinds of tress, setting out from the natural oak wood (f in fig. 125. in p. 216.), we would introduce, from that point to the entrance lodge, and along both sides of the approach road from the entrance lodge to the house, all the different species and varieties of Quercus that would grow freely in the given locality. All the evergreen varieties of Quercus Cerris we would make use of over the tunnel, and on both sides of the hollow of which the tunnel walk forms the bottom; and all the other evergreen oaks, such as Quercus I'lex, the cork tree, etc, we would introduce next the house; partly because these species will not grow so high as to overpower it, and partly to vary the appearance of the domestic offices. As secondary trees, we would introduce along the approach the maples and sycamores, which will contrast well with the oaks with which they are mingled, from the earliness of their foliage and flowers, and from the interesting nature of both in many species.

Along with the oaks and acers, we would also plant a few spring-flowering trees, such as the ornamental crab trees, laburnums, and amelanchiers, to add to the gaiety of the scene at that season; some summer-flowering trees, such as the different kinds of horse chestnut, pavies, and robinias, to give beauty during summer; and some of the autumn showy fruit-bearing kinds, such as the large-fruited thorns, Pyrus Sorbus, Pyrus hybrids, etc.; so as to produce a rich appearance at that season. We would introduce no shrubs along this approach, except such as the holly, the yew, and the box, which, as they grow up, take the character of low trees. The box trees should be most numerous near the house; and the hollies and yews over the tunnel and along the banks of the sunk walk. None of these trees and shrubs should be planted nearer to one another, or to the road, than from 10 ft. to 15 ft.; but the common and Turkey oaks may be as much as 20 or 30 feet apart at planting; and no nurse trees whatever ought to be planted along with them, however bleak the situation, for the following reasons, and others already given in. p. 177. The ground being trenched and in good heart, and having neither weeds nor nurses to extract the nourishment from the soil, the trees will grow with extraordinary vigour; and, being exposed to the light, air, and wind, on every side, will become bushy vigorous plants, capable of resisting violent winds, from whatever direction they may come.

If drawn up by nurses, they will attain a given height in a shorter period; but, being deprived by themurse of a great part of the nutriment contained in the soil, and also precluded by the same false friend from enjoying the light and air on the sides, they will be without lateral strength or beauty. Hence, a long period of stagnation occurs in all plantations that have been forced forward by nurses, as soon as these are withdrawn, and the trees are left to be weaned by time and the weather.

320. In the south-east angle, where accident has placed a number of larches, we would introduce all the species of the pine and fir tribe that could be admitted in a place of this extent; distributing them along the southern boundary, among a few deciduous trees and shrubs, for the sake of harmony, and also along the eastern boundary, in the same manner, and for the same reason. The trees that are scattered on the lawn we would have chiefly of the low or middling-sized kinds, in order that they might not interfere with the dignity of the house. Among these we would include all the species and varieties of tree thorns, all the crabs, a number of fruit trees of the kinds most ornamental in blossom and in fruit; and, in short, all the trees belonging to the order Rosaceae. In this way, we would, in this residence of ten acres, include every species and variety of tree and shrub that would endure the open air in the given climate; being careful to admit only a few of such kinds as grow very rapidly, or to a great height; such as some species of poplar and willow, and some varieties of the English elm.

Of these very rapid-growing lofty trees, there are about a score which it might, perhaps, be as well to omit altogether in a place like this, of small extent and nearly flat With respect to the distribution of all the other trees, we have already (p. 176.) laid down the general principles; and it ought to be the business of the landscape-gardener, in a case like the present, to mark the situation of every particular tree and shrub, with its name, on a ground plan; but such a plan (of which a specimen is given in fig. 42., in p. 96.) would obviously, in the present case, be much too large for our pages. We cannot, however, too strongly impress it on the mind of the reader, that a working-plan, indicating the precise situation of every tree and shrub, is essential in every small place, where the object is to lay it out to the greatest advantage. Even an experienced landscape-gardener, when laying out a small villa, without such a guide, will be liable to err, by admitting too many of one species or variety, and too few, perhaps, of another; by omitting some altogether, and by planting others in wrong situations.

In short, the mature consideration which is required for the landscape-gardener, before he can make a proper working plan for the plantations, is one of the greatest securities, not only to the proprietor, but to the artist himself, for the maintenance of due proportion among the kinds of trees employed, and for the general taste of the place, as far as trees are concerned. Another advantage of having the situation of every particular tree and shrub marked on the plan, with a corresponding list of their names, it, that no nurseryman or jobbing gardener, who may be employed to execute the planting, can have any pretence for sending in more trees, or trees and shrubs of other sorts, than are indicated in the plan; unless, indeed, as is often the case, the nurseryman or jobbing gardener pretends to improve the plan of the landscape-gardener, and having, by dint of perseverance and talking, got the ear of his employer, the latter is prevailed on, for quiet's sake, to yield to the proposed alterations, and to admit trees and shrubs in such quantities as, in some cases, entirely to destroy the effect which the landscape-gardener intended to produce.

It is well known that, in ell new plantations, especially in those made in the grounds of small country residences, the plants are now generally put in so thick as almost to touch each other, or at the rate of six or eight thousand plants per acre, even of trees alone; whereas, according to the mode of planting which we recommend, the number per acre, when trees alone are employed, will scarcely ever amount to a thousand; and, when shrubs alone are planted, to not more than between two and three thousand, according to the small or large size which the kinds will attain when fully grown, or the rapidity of their growth when young. Another advantage of this mode of wide planting is, that no thinning will be required for several years afterwards: and every landscape-gardener knows that the effect of the plantations, in nine tenths of newly-made places, is most materially injured by the neglect which generally takes place in thinning. When thinning is neglected after the branches of the trees touch each ether, the plants are drawn up as if they were in a nursery.

In a few years the more tender kinds are choked; and the coarser kinds, filling up the space thus left, are, in their turn, drawn up; so that, at the end of fifteen or twenty yean, the whole presents a mass of naked stems, with diminutive tops; and, if thimming is then bad recourse to, the results are hideous, at first, in regard to effect; and, after one or two seasons, from the wind and weather being admitted where they never were before, they are destructive to the trees; which either gradually decay, and at last die standing, or are blown down by the first violent storm of wind.

321. - The planting of the kitchen-garden with fruit trees and shrubs may be considered as having been treated of in preceding pages; particularly in p. 75, to Which we now refer the reader.