S24 JS^Gtes and Ohscn-ations 



J. J. Astor, Esq. — Mr. Collins is gardener here; it is princi- 

 pally appropriated to vegetables, of which an exceedingly fine 

 crop was growing, and I also noticed some good specimens of 

 choice dahhas in flower, and a good collection of green-house 

 plants. 



From Hell-gate I crossed over to Hallet's Cove, to see Mr. 

 Thorburn's place, who had, the evening previous, given me an 

 invitation. 



G. C. Thorhuni's establishment. — Mr. McTntcsh, the man- 

 ager, kindly took me through the place, where I was much grati- 

 fied with the fine collection of green-house plants, particularly 

 the extensive collection of camellias, which, Mr. M. informed 

 me, was in flower nearly all the season, to supply the great de- 

 mand for cut flowers. 1 also noticed several fine specimens of 

 i^hododendron, particularly the R. KusseWidnnm., R. arboreum, 

 and the finer kinds. Some fine varieties of tea-scented China 

 roses I also noticed, with many newly introduced geraniums, as 

 the Achiiiral Nolson, a superb fine brilliant scailet, the Princess 

 of Nassau, n^aculatium superbum, &c. Mr. INI. showed me 

 some fine specimens of tree roses in flower, inoculated on the 

 native briar, which stand the winter well, by bending down the 

 head, and covering them with earth in the fall, to protect them dur- 

 ing winter. The collection of dahlias, which Mr. Thorburn has 

 spared neither pains nor expense to collect, was also very nume- 

 rous, and contains the finest and best kinds. The collection of 

 plants in general vvas very good. 



I also noticed some fine specimens of tree roses, at the gar- 

 den of H. Halsey, Esq., Hallet's Cove, under the management 

 of Mr. Nathan Brewster, such as the Noisette Lamarque, Noi- 

 sette ranoncule, crimson perpetual Noisette, George IV., dou- 

 ble yellow, Village maid, and many other fine varieties of im- 

 ported roses, which Mr. B. manages, by strawing the head or 

 top of the plant, during winter, so as to protect the inoculated 

 part from the intense cold. From Hallet's Cove I continued 

 on my route to Hailem, where I called at the market garden of 



Henry Hall, Esq., containing the most extensive grounds 

 on the island, which have lately been laid out by his gar- 

 dener, Mr. William Cunningham, in a very economical and 

 judicious manner. This extensive garden is laid out in a 

 free open style, partly for vegetables and partly for ornament. 

 The walks are generally wide and bordered with wide flow- 

 er borders, planted with rows of dwarf growing fruit trees, and 

 such shrubs and flowers as are generally to be found in such 

 gardens; a great part of the ground is also occupied with fine 

 sheets of water, or ponds, that give it a picturesque effect. 

 One very large space is intended for a pond for oyster beds, and 

 is so managed, that water from the Harlem river can be let in or 



