72 THE HORTICULTURE OF 



in this basket is eight feet, one and a half inches; 

 weight of the same, seven pounds four and three- 

 fourths ounces ; the tree, a dwarf, bore ninety-five 

 fruits." 



At Swampscott are the beautiful and extensive grounds 

 of the Hon. E. R. Mudge, 1 and many other estates cele- 

 brated for their elegance and ornamental culture, and 

 we are glad to know that Mr. Mudge and other wealthy 

 gentlemen are constantly adding to the improvement 

 and adornment of their summer residences on the sea-side. 

 Going a little further inland to the west we find 

 Dedham, in former days noted for many fine resi- 

 dences, among which were those of Fisher Ames, the 

 distinguished orator, statesman, and moralist of his 

 day, and Edward Dowse, one of the first merchants 

 who opened the trade between the United States and 

 China. These gentlemen were much interested in hor- 

 ticulture, and planted some of the beautiful elms and 

 other trees which adorn her streets. They had orchards, 

 and gardens, and ice houses, which were considered as 

 rare luxuries in those days. 



In 1793, Mr. Ames writes to Thomas Dwight: "I 

 have just begun to display my taste as a gardener;" in 

 1794, "I have been to see Mr. Gore's place; I do not 

 expect to build a smarter;" in 1795, "the time of my 

 men is so taken up by the masons, my garden is full of 

 weeds ; " and again, " I am trying to raise new breeds 

 of potatoes from seed." 1799, to Gov. Gore: ib Do I 

 bore you on the subject of husbandry ? Paine says, 

 Gen. Heath gets three thousand dollars a year by the 

 vegetables, &c., from his farm. I solicit the honor of 

 being appointed to the post of privy counsellor, or sec- 

 retary of your cabbage and squash department." And 

 again to Gore, same year : " Cider is dear. It is better 

 to look for our drink to our trees, than to our ploughs." 



1 Since writing the above, Mr. Mudge has deceased. 



