REPORT OF GARDEN COMMITTEE, 1872. 385 



with collections embracing every variety of the season. 

 At the annual exhibition the display was good ; but, 

 owing to the unfavorable weather immediately preced- 

 ing, there was a great falling off in the number of 

 contributors, as compared with the previous year. Spe- 

 cimens of the Extra Early Vermont potato, a seedling 

 originated by George W. Woodhouse of West Rutland, 

 Vt., from the Early Jackson, supposed to be impreg- 

 nated with the Garnet Chili, were exhibited for the 

 Whitcomb Prize. 



The Garden Committee reported a visit to the estate 

 of William Gray, jun., known as "The Hermitage," 

 which had been entered for the Hunnewell Triennial 

 Premium ; after which, they called at the residence of 

 Marshall P. Wilder, where they made note, among other 

 interesting objects, of the original plant of the Mrs. 

 Abby Wilder camellia. A week later they visited 

 Edward S. Rand, jun.'s, place, in Dedham, where they 

 found many improvements since their last visit, the 

 most important of which was the erection of works for 

 raising water, consisting of a windmill near the bank 

 of the Charles River, forcing the water to a stand pipe 

 placed on ground nearly seventy feet higher. This 

 stand pipe, which served also as a reservoir, was en- 

 closed in a brick tower, with spiral stairs leading to an 

 observatory at the top, the views from which were of 

 exquisite beauty. A large cold grapery had also been 

 erected ; and a greenhouse in similar style, which was 

 planned at the time of the committee's visit, was com- 

 pleted before their report was written. A cold house or 

 cellar for semi-hardy plants had also been built. The last 

 visit of the committee was to Newton Cemetery, which 

 they found in fine condition, naturally picturesque 



