GARDEN committee's REPORT. 77 



from below, improving the view. Here he is accessible and near to 

 the new greenhouses and propagating houses, and to the offices and 

 principal operations of the place. Passing through the gate, between 

 the towers, the avenues divei'ge from a paved semicircle, and directly 

 on the right is seen a fine rosette of ribbon-planting, sombre, yet 

 pleasing, having a centre of variegated maize, a ring of Coleus Verschaf- 

 feltii and Coleus Blumei, within a circle of Cinerarias, silvery and 

 bright, set in a low bordering of moss and rock; while just across the 

 avenue, the lively Gladioli, in grai;d assembly, challenged admiration, 

 by contrast. The whole place was alive with flowers. Following the 

 different avenues they were found to be in excellent condition, and 

 generally bordered by turf or plants. The pond was clear, and neatly 

 cared for, graced by several swans, and set in living green. 



On Weigelea Path a modest marble monument toTHADDEUS Clapp 

 bears upon its face, in bold relief, a perfect model of "Clapp's Favorite" 

 pear. 



In another part of the ground, a large scroll of thin marble is care- 

 lessly thrown over a rough conglomerate rock, so light, so wavy and 

 so white, that one could easily imagine that the veteran Editor, (whose 

 name it bears) W. W. Clapp, had dropped at last his unstained paper 

 on the ,stone, over which the ivy was growing lovingly. 



One lot was noticed, on Weigelea Path, where, instead of a stone 

 border, the periwinkle was i^lanted and trimmed into perfect line vividly 

 green, and contrasting favorably with the hammered stone around 

 neighboring lots. 



Consecration Hill has shared in the general progress, and exhibited 

 excellent specimens of border flowers, double and single. 



]S'ear the pond, and on a small triangle, some fine specimens of the 

 trailing Lobelia bordering were seen. No plant surpasses this for unob- 

 trusive beauty, and no other can be substituted for it. When planted 

 (with the Myosotis for early filling, and to be removed as soon as the 

 Lobelia blooms) the effect is always charming. At the lot of Mr. Harding, 

 which was smoothly clipped, the modest Lobelia and Alyssum, with va- 

 rieties of Coleus, produced a very pleasing effect. Much had been done 

 everywhere; and many fine monuments and adornments were noticed; 

 especially near the pond. These, with a good breadth of lawn and 

 sunlight, and a glittering water view, prepared the observer for pleasur- 

 able sensations from the accessory flowers. Here was seen one of the 

 longest, brightest and most admirable ribbons of Portulacas, double 

 and single, which lacked only a proper background to charm the eye; 

 but as it had been supported principally by Asters, which, dying, left 

 vacancies- and imperfections, the otherwise beautiful picture was un- 

 finished. It was like a piece of new cloth on an old garment: a hint to 

 planters which experience gives. 



