VISITS TO COUNTRY PLACES. 



Hudson. There have been erected extensive greenhouses and graperies, besides 

 those of Pr. Ilosack. 



A most rcinarkal)le and distinctive feature of ITyde Park above all the other 

 places on the river, is the terrace bonlcrinfi: its whole front, at a distance sudicicntly 

 remote from, and elevated above, the river to give to the laiidscai)e both ample 

 foreground and groat extent of view — a terrace so artilicial in its appearance, as 

 that one with dirticulty realizes that it is nature alone which has made it. 



The approach from the village is particularly striking, ])assing as it does over 

 a fine sheet of ornamental water by a very handsome and highly architectural 

 bridge. 



" Far to the South, a moniitaiu vale retires, 



Ricli in its cjroves, and glens, and village spires ; 



Its upland lawns, and clill's with Ibliage hung, 



Its wizard stream, nor nameless nor unsung; 



And thro' the various year, the various day. 



What scenes of glory burst, and melt away." — Rogers. 



The pleasure grounds are extensive ; much planting with artistic effect has been 

 done, and it will be safe to say that this spot, framed by 

 nature and embellished by art, combines within itself as 

 much beauty as is comprised within the same space in 

 any part of our country. 



We found Mr. Laiigdon busily engaged with his horti- 

 cultural projects and improvements, disposed to fully 

 realize the enjoyments such a place affords. From a 

 fine stream on the place, he has an ample supply of 

 water, which is conducted everywhere by hose and pipes, 

 enal)ling the gardener to "make it rain" on his crojjs 

 when others suffer from drought. In the large kitchen 

 garden, we remarked a simple mode of irrigation ex- 

 tremely useful to such articles as strawberries; indeed, 

 these beds were undergoing a thorough drenching while 

 we were there. The idea was suggested by something 

 similar which Mr. Langdon had seen practised in Switzer- 

 land, and as it is so simple that cvcryljody may adopt it 

 whether they have a supply of water from a ram, a hose, 

 or even a pump, that we shall describe it. 



A simple trough of wood, running inside the box- 

 edging like a gutter, perhaps six inches wide and high, 

 with sluice ways, every few feet, formed by pieces of the 

 sides cut out, and turning on a pivot in the centre, which, 

 when open, shuts off the water from further progress down 

 the trough by falling back against the side, and allows 

 it to escape through an opening wherever it may be 

 wanted. The artist has represented the elevated sides 

 in the cut as too low ; they might be made higher ; in 

 short, it is simply a flat trough with movable sides. 



This beautiful place was laid out by Parmentier. 

 Downing says it was for a long time the finest seat in 

 America, but that "there are now many rivals to this 

 claim." This is very true, but, in natural beauties, we 

 may safely doubt if it will ever be exceeded. It h 

 too, a great advantage over most "rivals," in its 



