There are still existing proofs of the attention paid to this subject in former times, an instance of which occurs in the apparent connection by avenues between Blenheim, Ditchley, and Heythropc, though the last mansion is nearly ten miles distant from the first.
When artificial scenes join cultivated lands, if those lands are enclosed, broad strips, hedgerows, square or round clumps in the angles of the fields, with such reciprocal dispo sition of lines or forms as the case may suggest, will conti nue the character of artificial plantation; and where roads are necessary, if utility does not forbid, they should be formed in part as avenues, in continuation of those within the artificial scene.
'hen artificial plantations are bounded by barren heaths or commons, all that can be done is to advance beyond the boundary of the place, portions of avenues, and Kows of trees of different lengths. Sometimes an inequality. crown ed by a clump or thicket, may promote the idea. On other occasions, w here the heath or waste may be so black as to co t y no agree able expression, and therefore is, of courSC, entirtiv from the improved scene, a sort of con nee tion may be given, by advancing strips or rows from the boundary plantation into the heath. Even single or SC:All red trees, if they can be protected in that situation, will have a tendeocv to produce that soil of connection re quiree. ; bile it gratifies the proprietor's love of ap prol r.at o , u ill pie Ise the eye of the traveller, who views the c unuv ..s a %%now, and delights to observe the harmony and beauty of its principal features.
Ha, i g disposed of the whole, and of the parts, as far as sp cts tht it general effect and connection, what remains to bt considered is, the sort of tree, manlier of disposing the plants. fences, and future management.
The ohject in t kw, the expression of art and design, sug gests the propriety of employing different species to those w Inch are natural to, or most abound in the surrounding coui.try. In a country of common tits, the spruce and siker fir, and cedar, afford a choice.. In a country of oaks or elms, chesnuts, limes, and planes, form suitable contrasts. Where the plantations are extensive, the value
of the timber must always be a principal object ; and, there I; re, the contrasted trees should be chosen accordingly. Some species, however, arc so happily adapted for this sty le, and as ornamental trees in both styles, that they ought seldom to be admitted near the house. Stich, for example, as the horse chesnut, lime, Spanish chesnut, plane. lucombe oak, cedar, stone pine, Szc. As the four last species mentioned are, in exposed situations, liable to it jury from extraordinary severe winters, a few hardier sorts, resembling them in general appearance, should be intermingled in the plantation, to preserve the larger masses in case of accident, but to conform with the gene. ral effect in colour and style of foliage, as well as in form. Different species ought not in general to be mixed together in the trasses; one, or at most two, conforming varieties is sufficient, more would destroy the breadth of colour of the mass, and the character of its surface. Different masses, avenues, and more minute parts, may, however, be planted with different species of trees ; rare sorts may he also in troduced in lines, along the front of many of the masses, ranged along stars. pates-d'oye, &c. The snow-drop tree, from its beautiful blossoms, and the birch and hazel, for t e display of their catkins during winter, are well calcu I ted for walks adapted to that season of the year, and should be planted in front of firs, or other evergreens. Such also is the principal situation for flowering shrubs, and no plants can be more showy than the horse chesnut, common lilac, acacia, gueldertose, Portugal laurel, holly, bird cherry. mespilus, and laburnum, in similar situations, and for general purposes. In distributing the species of tree in general masses, the same general compo sition must be attended to, which we have pointed out as far as respects form. The colours and character of the heads of the trees must be connected, and, at the same ti ne, to a certain degree contrasted, in order to produce an artificial and yet barmonious effect.