on Gardens and JWrseries. 325 



drawn out of it, at pleasure, by a draw bridge. On the ground 

 I noticed several excellent specimens of rustic chairs, sum- 

 mer houses, &c., tastefully made from the natural arms and limbs 

 of trees. The garden is altogether well managed, and continues 

 to be improved; and when the trees are grown so as to give a 

 little more relief on the level ground, it will be almost unequalled 

 as an extensive ground adapted for pleasure and useful horticul- 

 ture, particularly if the enterprising proprietor builds (which, it 

 may be suggested, he will,) a range of houses for green-house 

 and exotic plants. 



It is much to be regretted, that, in a city like New York, 

 there is not a place similarly laid out as a public garden, which 

 could not fail to be patronized; but the difficulty would be, to 

 obtain a piece of ground adapted in the like manner, which would 

 be almost doubtful; and it could not be expected that these 

 grounds could be obtained at any rate for the purpose. In con- 

 tinuation of my route I called at 



West Farms, the residence of David Lydig, Esq. — July Sth. 

 This establishment is four miles from Harlem, and is beautifully 

 situated on the east side of a fine living stream of water, on 

 which is a flour mill of considerable extent. The grounds, 

 which are laid out in a fine open manner, principally ornamental, 

 may be considered of the first order, being of an easy ascent 

 from the stream, and laid out in long avenues of flower-borders 

 and walks, with a good portion of lawn, together with summer 

 houses, seats, and the like, very appropriately arranged, v.hich, 

 with the fine distant avenue of a wood, formed by the stream, 

 render it a delightful summer residence. It is under the man- 

 agement of Mr. Thomas Mercer. The flower garden is well 

 supplied with good varieties of shrubs and hardy herbaceous 

 plants, and is in most excellent order: there is a good kitchen 

 garden, Avhich has been formed with much labor, and a small 

 green-house, that Mr. Mercer hopes to enlarge in the fall, which, 

 if done, will render the place altogether one of the most desira- 

 ble and agreeable to be found in this vicinity. 



Mr. Mercer showed me some good specimens of a seedling 

 strawberry, called the Messrs. Downtown, [we should be happy 

 to hear from Mr. Mercer respecting this variety — Cond.,^ raised 

 by him from the Keen's seedling. The fruit somewhat resem- 

 bles its parent, in habit, but is of a more globular shape, color a 

 light-red, fine solid pulp, highly flavored, and said to be a pro- 

 lific bearer and very hardy plant: there is no doubt but it will be 

 found every way to be deserving of general cultivation, if a fair 

 trial is given. 



Westchester, J. Jlustin, Esq. — 9th., Mr. Karle, gardener: 

 a pretty residence, with an extensive lawn and shrubbery; with 

 a well laid out flower garden in the geometrical style, and kitchen 



