VISITS TO COUNTRY PLACES. 



VISITS TO COUNTRY PLACES.— No. T. 

 AROUND BOSTON. 



The neighborlioocl of Boston stands very high as a horticultural region ; pro- 

 bably more exotic grapes are grown there, within a circuit of ten or fifteen miles, 

 than within the same distance around both New York and Philadelphia ; we heard 

 the weight estimated at forty tons some years since, and great additions to the 

 glass structures of the vicinity have latterly been made. 



The interest in the products of the garden and greenhouse, manifested by the 

 members of the Horticultural Society, and the citizens generally, is shown by their 

 attendance on a weekly exhibition of fruits and flowers, which is well sustained, 

 and very useful in extending a knowledge of what is passing, and in season, and 

 in keeping up a generous rivalry. The weather, while we were there, was unpro- 

 pitious for sight-seeing, but our horticultural party, somewhat reduced in numbers, 

 took several opportunities of visiting the neighborhood, and accepting the kindest 

 hospitality. To complete the list, however, it will be necessary to take another 

 occasion, and a longer time, to describe so celebrated a region. At present, we 

 can only give the results of a few brief notes hurriedly taken. 



H. HoUis Hunneicell, Esq.''s country residence, near the station of the Worcester 

 Railroad at West Needham, presents, for a new place, evidences of great enthusi- 

 asm and success in planting. The neighborhood is the scene of the labors of that 

 eminent missionary among the Indians, Elliot, who was the printer of the extra- 

 ordinary Indian Bible, which was his great labor of love for the aborigines. Its 

 ])ress-work, if we remember rightly, was done by a poor Indian boy, and the whole 

 was executed under difficulties such as would appal a modern typographer. Those 

 noble old elm-trees, which were planted by the natives in front of their minister's 

 house, in Natick, near Mr. Hunnewell's, still stand as mementos of the grati- 

 tude of the converted red men. The trees in this vicinity are remarkably fine and 

 numerous, and evidences exist in every direction of great progress and improve- 

 ment. 



Mr. Hunnewell has a large farm, and has devoted a considerable portion of it, 

 most judiciously, to ornamental planting. Not having so great a variety of trees 

 to select from as we have in the Middle States, he has brought together such as 

 are hardy in Massachusetts with a liberality which promises to produce very great 

 results. His noble mansion is situated on the banks of a very fine lake, which 

 possesses the advantage of considerable depth, and being supplied with abundant 

 Avater, is perfectly free from any unwholesome exhalations, is well stocked with 

 fish, and efforts are making to introduce other varieties, by using spawn imported 

 from France. This subject, we are glad to know, is employing the thoughts 

 and purses of many Americans, and we anticipate the happiest results, Mr. H.'s 

 dwelling stands high above the lake, to which a terraced garden, interspersed 

 with fountains, and gay with luxuriant flower-beds, leads the visitor almost im- 

 perceptibly. Inclosing these beds we noticed an arrangement which was new to 

 us — that of the use of large square iron castings for borders ; these are cast thinly, 

 with raised figures on the outer sides, and being light, can be moved from place to 

 place as required ; they give a neat look, occupy almost no space, and may be em- 

 ployed wherever box edging, which we prefer, will not flourish. 



The fountains, as well as water for the whole place, are supplied by a steam 

 e of three horse power, which will pump 30,000 gallons a day, and grind at 

 same time. This engine cost $500; with the mill, $700; but at the present 



