Historic Gardens of Virginia 



five yards from the rear porch lies the garden, with its box-hedge 

 on the north, and the long central walk bordered on either side 

 with box, syringa and pink and red cydonia japonica (pyrus 

 japonica), with an intermingling of roses, jonquils and violets. In 

 winter, when the snow falls, the box-bushes look like huge frosted 

 cakes, and in summer the syringas, with their graceful sweeping 

 sprays of lovely white bloom, remind one of beautiful brides. 



The plan of this apparently simple old garden is found to be 

 quite symmetrical and satisfactory, especially if considered as it 

 was originally and in its relation to the "Great House" and other 

 buildings, as well as to the general layout of the place. 



The garden formed a part of a well-considered plan of the 

 grounds in the rear of the house, and there were flanking clumps 

 of tree-box between the house and the garden hedge. The garden 

 contained full half an acre and was, and is, divided in half by the 

 box-bordered main walk. Originally each half was sub-divided by 

 cross-walks into four equal squares. The cultivation of these 

 squares was done with spading forks. It was only after the War 

 Between the States that a plow was allowed to enter. That marked 

 the end of the sod walks, which, by the way, stalled the plow, 

 until the grubbing hoe was used to loosen the matted grass-roots. 

 Formerly, a hedge of althea marked and helped to form the eastern 

 boundary, but it has now been supplanted by severely practical 

 wire mesh. 



On this side is the grape trellis, extending the full length of 

 the garden. Then come the red raspberries, strawberries, and, in 

 their order, vegetables for all seasons; for this delightful old garden 

 is a charming combination of utility and beauty. On the south side 

 of the boxwood hedge, and protected by it, are the hot-beds and 

 cold-frames for lettuce, tomatoes, and all early vegetables. 



In the asparagus bed of this garden, during the War Between 

 the States, some of the family silver was buried and successfully 

 preserved from the temptation of "the enemy," and is still in daily 

 use in the old house. 



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