The Plantations, which have so much improved the general features of the west of Scotland, have three defects, more or less conspicuous. These are, too great a sameness in the mixture of trees, a want of variety of character in the outline of the masses, and a general neglect of thinning. The mixture consists almost everywhere of larch, firs, common pine, and round-headed trees: whereas, in low situations, with the exception of spruce firs, and some sorts of poplar and willow, round-headed trees only, or chiefly, should have been planted; and spiry-topped trees only, or chiefly, in very elevated situations. At all events, this may be considered as a sort of general rule, suitable for those who cannot apply a principle. We are quite aware that a great deal may be said in defence of the present practice: it may be alleged that the larches and pines are merely intended as nurses; that all of them will ultimately be removed; and that, whether the situation be high or low, no trees can be more beautiful. We shall not stop to enter into the details of both sides of these and similar arguments, but observe that the birch, the alder, the willow, and the poplar will be found of as rapid growth, and the latter, at least, fully as profitable, in many situation, as the larch and the pine. The spruce fir, also, in cold, low, and wet lands, forms one of the most rapid-growing and profitable of trees. In all situations, neither very high nor very low, trees may be safely and profitably planted in masses, almost entirely of the same sort, without any nurses. With a knowledge of these facts, and some taste for general effect, a variety in the aspect of the plantations, on any one estate, may be easily produced, without any loss of profit, in bulk or value of timber, being sustained. Every considerate gardener will allow this; and we remind gardeners of it, much less in the way of finding fault, than as affording hints for their future guidance. The direction of the boundary lines of plantations made on the sides of hills is of great importance, in respect to the effect of these plantations when seen from below. There is a character of greatness as well as of littleness, even in lines, though it would be difficult, in a few words, to describe in what that character consists. Lines which express grandeur are always simple; graceful lines are always varied. In order to produce a harmonious whole, the lines of a plantation should, in general, bear some relation to the lines formed by the surface of the ground on which it is placed. We say in general; because there may be surfaces, the natural lines of which it may be desirable to counteract by those of plantations; for example, the outlines of lumpish forms of surface, or dead flats. Straight lines, or lines gently curved, are more suitable for a flat country, than for the sides of hills; an undulating country should obviously have more undulating lines than straight lines; and a rough abrupt country more angular lines than curvilinear ones. Every one must feel that on the undulating sides of a hill, curved lines are more in concord than straight lines; and that varied curves are more graceful than unvaried ones. In some of the most extensive plantations on the hills and mountains or Cumberland and Westmoreland, as well as on those of Dumfriesshire and Kirkcudbrightshire, an artist's eye will detect deviations from the above principle, which the planter of taste should mark, in order to avoid. However, we are too well satisfied to see plantations carried on extensively in any way in these districts, to be very fastidious about the details; and, therefore, having made the foregoing remarks, more with a view to the future than to the past, we shall pass on to our third defect, neglect of thinning and fencing.
