REPORT OF THE GARDEN COMMITTEE, 1873. 399 



show of all was a magnificent specimen of pampas 

 grass standing in the lower lawn, about twelve feet 

 high and ten feet in diameter, rising like a fountain, 

 spreading, and curving to the ground, and having fifty 

 spikes of blooms. The collection of evergreens was 

 excellent, comprising many new and rare species ; among 

 them a very fine specimen of the Sciadopitys verti- 

 cillata. 



At their second visit the committee found, on enter- 

 ing the grounds, the same smooth lawn as before, with 

 all the breadth needed to exhibit the undulations and 

 peculiarities of surface and the lights and shadows of 

 the varied landscape. But beyond the house, and in all 

 that related to the garden, the changes were very ap- 

 parent. Four acres of land had been added; the old 

 paths had been superseded by better and more exten- 

 sive ways ; and a rose garden of large dimensions had 

 been planted. Four hundred and fifty pelargoniums, of 

 new varieties, had been imported, and planted in a bed 

 by themselves for the purpose of comparison. The bed- 

 ding plants showed an unusual richness and uniformity 

 of coloring ; and beds of Agaves, Echeverias, and other 

 succulents, were liberally interspersed with the border 

 plants. The Aralia canescens had proved quite hardy. 

 Other Ar alias, as well as Wigandias and large leaved 

 Caladiums, attracted notice. Among variegated plants 

 the Abutilons and Gold and Silver hollies were conspic- 

 uous. The experiment of leaving these hollies in the 

 ground through the winter, with only a covering of 

 boards, had been tried with doubtful success, the 

 branches and leaves having suffered. A hedge of Eeti- 

 nispora obtusa, three hundred feet long, with its dense, 

 fern like, brilliant green foliage, attracted the notice of 

 all visitors. 



