The Upper James 



pride of the old Scotch gardener and his six slave assistants to 

 keep blooming with all the loveliest flowers; his peonies, lilacs, roses 

 and many others too numerous to mention made of it a riot of colour 

 through the seasons. The lower part was devoted to fruits, there 

 being grapes, raspberries, gooseberries and other small fruits in 

 profusion. The apples, cherries, pears and quinces kept the table 

 supplied, and in summer the slaves were kept busy preserving them 

 for winter use. 



Though the ancient glories of the garden have departed, the 

 trees and shrubs have increased in beauty through the years, there 

 being at present some thirty varieties of trees surrounding the house. 



In the winter the many shrubs and evergreens make of the place 

 a veritable "greenyard"; the holly trees, of which there are twenty- 

 three, being especially beautiful with their green foliage and red 

 berries. 



Though the arbor-vitae hedge has long since gone, many 

 feathery cedars still drape the lawn with their graceful forms. 



Through the years the old plantation has kept its grace and 

 dignity as one of the best of the old "before-the-war" homes. 



Beverley Randolph Kennon. 



[123] 



