Garden Plantation Forms

The outlines of the spaces occupied by planting, compose the forms in question, and they are suitable or otherwise, as they produce, or fail to produce, the best effects of form in scenic nature. The frequent practice of plantiig by a belt surrounding the property, and by clumps or circular patches of trees within it, gave rise to a notion, yet existing with many, that in the arrangeinemnt of these, consisted the chief art of garden improvements.

The ingenious Mr. Brown was the unconscious author of this style, for he did not originally propose to himself that these massive incumberances to the picturesque should long retain the circular forms, which for the convenience of fencing and for temporary advantages le gave them. Mr. Brown's object was to rear thein to a certain state of growth, then to abandon the geometrical figures, and to carve from these, blocks, with an artist's hand, the variety of form and shape desired; and selecting the well grown trees from the lower growths, preserve the one from injury, while his skill added dignity to the nobler trees, by the advantages of contrast.

In the mean time, while he waited for the period suited to his object, fashion adopted the uniquety, and many of Mr. Brown's works never had the benefit of his better intentions: so the country soon became clumped and dotted in lamentable abundance. This practice has at length passed into disrepute, and the irregular forms of natural growth have succeeded, the advantage of which, towards producing character, variety, and intricacy, are evident; and all of these are improved by wise dispositions of the parts, and by the effects of light, shade, and colour.