VISITS TO COUNTRY PLACES. 



escape for tbe acquisition of a new tree or plant. They have already as extensive 

 a collection of rare trees and shrubbery as we know anywhere, most judiciously 

 selected and planted, and promising to become one of the most beautiful in this 

 country. 



The house, one of great extent and comfort, without architectural pretension, 

 is situated on a gradually ascending elevation from the gate, in the midst of an 

 open grove of lofty oaks and chestnut oaks of such magnitude, as to permit the 

 lower branches to be trimmed up sufBciently high to give the most extended views 

 without interfering with the dignity and character of the wood itself. These views 

 extend, in the rear, to a forest of some hundred odd acres, attached to the estate, 

 giving one an idea, from its repose and depth, of the ancient chase. And, in 

 front, for many miles over a most charmingly rolling and park-like country, where 

 all the fences and barriers are most ingeniously concealed, to Baltimore — a distance 

 of seven miles — and to the Chesapeake. We believe, in fine weather, this view 

 even extends to the State House at J^nnapolis. 



The middle distance, after emerging from the grove, consists of a gradually 

 rolling and sloping lawn, with some fine cedars and other trees judiciously grouped, 

 until it finally terminates in a valley, advantage of which has been taken with 

 much taste and discrimination, to place a French flower garden of great beauty in 

 gravel and box edging, and immediately in rear of which is a very handsome 

 architectural greenhouse; a gardener's house, a grapery, a double curvilinear 

 house, frame yard, with several hundred feet of brick pits, a well-concealed vege- 

 table and fruit garden, and the other necessary appliances of country life. 



A well designed and admirably executed walk conducts from the house through 

 the valley to the garden and greenhouse, bordered by masses of the newer and 

 more beautiful shrubs, with occasional single trees or plants of rare value. 



Through the deeper part of the valley, the plantations assume the character of 

 what in England is called "the American garden," and fine masses of Rhododen- 

 drons, Kalmias, Azaleas, Mahonias, Hollies, &c., abound in the greatest profusion 

 and luxuriance. We do not remember ever to have seen finer or more superb 

 Magnolias than in this portion of the grounds. The return walk passes over the 

 side of several gentle elevations, and is in like manner tastefully planted with 

 groups, masses, and single specimens of the rarer trees. 



We believe it is the intention of Mrs. Liirman to form a Pinetura walk on 

 this portion of the pleasure-grounds. There are, however, already at Farm Lauds 

 many fine specimens of the new Conifers. 



Take it all in all, we know of no finer place south of Philadelphia, and, in fact, 

 no place where a more charming effect is produced than the view from the house, 

 under the canopy of lofty trees, over the gently rolling lawn to this soft and pretty 

 valley, terminated in so bright and sparkling a manner with its brilliant French 

 flower-garden and attractive greenhouse completely shutting in the view in this 

 direction. 



The defects, if defects they may be considered (and what place is without some ?), 

 are, perhaps, too great openness and extension in certain portions of the view ; 

 for we quite agree with Loudon in believing that even a park may be too large. 



Our idea of the perfection of a place is such an amount of landscape as may 

 reasonably be supposed to be within the compass of the ordinary fortune of the 

 country in which the property is situated. Windsor Castle and Park would 

 therefore be as inconsistent with our American fortunes as one of our suburban 

 villas and lots would be for an English nobleman. 



We would therefore be quite satisfied if the views at Farm Lands were confined 

 five or six hundred acres comprising the estate, instead of reaching, as 



