|
|
|
Page 288:-
[in]difference. Do then, ye affluent and prosperous landholders,
pay some attention to this particular. Study the subject, through
the medium of books and pictures; and sometimes spare, and
sometimes plant a tree for ornament's sake. And (if you think
them reasonable ones) observe all the following remarks, humbly
offered to your consideration. They shall be made as brief as
possible.
The greatest nicety and perfection in the art of planting trees,
lies in the use of exotics, and an ingenious mixture of foliage,
in order to decorate, for near inspection, the marginal views of
a lawn, walk, &c. But if ever a fondness for agriculture, built
upon a love of simple nature and sober piety (of which there are
too, too few indications in our present manners) shall turn the
general taste of the kingdom towards ornamented farms, such an
event cannot be supposed to be suddenly brought about: hence the
precepts that relate to this elegant part of gardening, will in
this place be wholly unnecessary, and our attention must be
confined to the management of larger trees, which are already
found in these regions.
Scotch firs, though a favourite tree with many people, seem to
require a good deal of judgment in their use; for they may be so
planted as to injure a landscape more perhaps than they are
generally seen to adorn it. In hanging woods (with which this
country abounds) they frequently appear to disadvantage, however
disposed. A single tree in this case often looks like a blot, and
a plantation like a daub; especially in winter, when the most is
expected from their verdure. The reason of this seems to be the
darkness of their colour, and the obviousness of their whole form
and outline: from the first particular they always attract the
eye more than any thing else; and form the second, hurt the
imagination with presenting to it only a parcel of small limited
streaks or patches, awkwardly inclined to the horizon. When
slightly and irregularly interspersed with woods of this kind,
they
|
