30 Old Time Gardens 



of colonial gardens. The fine Hancock mansion in 

 Boston had a carefully-filled garden long previous 

 to the Revolution. Such letters as the following 

 were sent by Mr. Hancock to England to secure 

 flowers for it : — 



" My Trees and Seeds for Capt. Bennett Came Safe to 

 Hand and I like them very well. I Return you mv hearty 

 Thanks for the Plumb Tree and Tulip Roots you were 

 pleased to make me a Present off, which are very Accep- 

 table to me. I have Sent mv friend Mr. Wilks a mmo. 

 to procure for me 2 or 3 Doz. Yew Trees, Some Hollvs 

 and Jessamine Vines, and if you have Any Particular Curious 

 Things not of a high Price, will Beautifye a flower Garden 

 Send a Sample with the Price or a Catalogue of 'em, I do 

 not intend to spare Any Cost or Pains in making my 

 Gardens Beautifull or Profitable. 



" P.S. The Tulip Roots you were Pleased to make a 

 present off to me are all Dead as well." 



We find Richard Stockton writing in 1766 

 from England to his wife at their beautiful home 

 " Morven," in Princeton, New Jersey : — 



" I am making you a charming collection of bulbous roots, 

 which shall be sent over as soon as the prospect of freezing 

 on your coast is over. The first of April, I believe, will be 

 time enough for you to put them in your sweet little flower 

 garden, which you so fondly cultivate. Suppose I inform 

 you that I design a ride to Twickenham the latter end of 

 next month principally to view Mr. Pope's gardens and 

 grotto, which I am told remain nearly as he left them ; 

 and that I shall take with me a gentleman who draws well, 

 to lay down an exact plan of the whole." 



