For October, 1921 



753 



where Thomas Leydeii, gardener, showed the party the gardens 

 and greenhouses. This completed the day's trip, after which the 

 party returned to the hotel. Credit is due for this day's enjoyable 

 visit to the Long Island estates to Lewis and Valentine Company, 

 under whose direction the trip was arranged. 



IMPRESSIONS ON THE N. A. G. CONVENTION 



1921 



ROBERT CAMERON 



UNDOUBTEDLY the Convention held in New York City 

 on October 11, 12, 13, 14, was the most successful in the 

 history of the association. The harmony and good feeling 

 that prevailed throughout all the deliberations were indeed most 

 .satisfactory and made one feel that the members are taking things 

 more seriously and that the success of the association is assured. 



The officers and local cotivention committee certainly did their 

 work well and unstinted praise is due them. The estates visited 

 were a revelation to many and this feature of the convention is 

 of immense value to the members. No two estates .were alike 

 and each one had its pleasing features. Gardening in Massachu- 

 .■>etts IS entirely different to what one sees around New York. 

 .Ground New York many of the newer gardens are gaudy and 

 conspicuously showy, whereas the older estates and gardens are 

 more restful and pleasing. In many instances one would know who 

 the landscape gardeners were without being told. The bright 

 colored Howers and plants used in some of the gardeiis such as 

 Salvia splendcns, cannas, geraniums, bright-colored Coleus are 

 seldom used hi Massachusetts gardens. It was quite noticeable 

 in most of the large new estates that the large formal gardens 

 were laid out where they could be seen from the vvnidows at all 

 times. Where bright colors were used they must be indeed tirc- 

 .some. In .Massachusetts flower gardens are seldom near the house 

 where they arc under view continuously. They are more often 

 at some distance from the house and secluded, and one often 

 comes upon the garden unexpectedly. Then the gardens are 

 seldom planted with plants with bright flowers as mentioned 

 above but with more restful shades of blue, pink and white. Of 

 the many gardens and estates visited during the convention the 

 one most enjoyed by the writer, was one where hardly any flowers 

 were used. 



Greystone, Yonkersj the estate of Mr. Samuel Untermyer, was 

 especially interesting. The range of greenhouses is quite large 

 and the houses were all filled with well-grown plants. It was 

 indeed a pleasure to see a fine collection of stove plants, they are 



seen in so few places nowadays. Poinsettias and chrysanthemums 

 were especially well grown. The large Greek garden is dignified ; 

 the planting is simple and restful. The red garden, blue garden, 

 yellow garden, etc., were interesting but undoubtedly were past 

 their best at the time of our visit. The different views of the 

 Hudson River and the Palisades were fine and very much enjoyed. 



Mr. John D. Rockefell';r's estate at Pocantico Hills was just as 

 I expected it to be — dignified, peaceful, restful. Wouldn't one be 

 disappointed if it was otherwise? What gave the place such a 

 restful dignified feeling? The absence of flowers, the large speci- 

 men evergreens, the evergreen ground coverings which were con- 

 spicuous everywhere. Everything was well kept and well done. 



On Long Island there were many estates visited and much more 

 time could be spent on each estate. 



The estate of Mrs. Henry Phipps (Bonnie Blink) was rather 

 new. The plantings were nicely arranged and in a few years 

 this will make a fine estate. The flower garden was conspicuous 

 for its display of yellow zinnias. 



The estate of Mr. Nicholas Brady is well kept and there is a 

 good formal garden. The large bed of plants most enjoyed at 

 this place was one containing a mass of fine blue-flowered 

 Ageratum. 



The fine estate of Mr. Clarence H. Mackey on Harbor Hill 

 with its fine views was much enjoyed. The formal garden was 

 conspicuously bright with plants and flowers. 



One of the most interesting estates on Long Island is that 

 of Mr. W'. R. Coe at Oyster Bay. One could linger in this place 

 for a week and then see new plants. Mr. Coe is a lever of plants 

 and in this wonderful place there are specimens of the best and 

 rarest plants from every part of the world. The flower garden 

 was interesting" and showed good and careful planting. The 

 greenhouses were overflowing with well grown plants. The Ca- 

 mellia house with its many rare varieties was of special interest to 

 gardeners. 



The George D. Pratt estate with its fine evergreens, beautiful 

 lawns and gardens were much admired and appreciated. This is 

 another estate where one would like to linger for days and enjoy 

 its dignity and repose. 



It was rather late when we reached the estate of Mr. Daniel 

 Guggenheim, but we had time to see the large formal garden 

 which was well planted with plants to give continuous bloom 

 throughout the season. 



It would be ungrateful to close these notes without extending 

 my warmest thanks to those who helped to make our outings so 

 pleasant and profitable, Mr. Samuel Untermyer, Mr. F. R. Pier- 

 son, Lewis and Valentine Company, Mr. W'. R. Coe and others. 



Sunken tijrdcn on It'. I\ 



jtali', /'/uii/i/i.i; J-ii-lds, Oyster Bay, L. 1. 



