132 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



flower garden, at Rochester, we are sorry to say, did not reach the 

 Committee until after the date (August 1st), fixed by the Society, 

 for receipt of applications, had passed ; and the Committee voted 

 reluctantly to abide by the rules, regretting that thereby they were 

 depriving themselves of a pleasant day's duty, brought vividly to 

 mind by the recollection of a visit to the hospitable mansion of Mrs. 

 Leonard, in 1875, And in this connection the Committee would 

 remind members and others that ^all applications must be in hand 

 before August 1st, according to the rules. 



Francis B. Hayes' Estate. 



On the 8th of August, the Garden Committee, with a few invited 

 guests, members of this Society and eminent for their good taste in 

 horticultural affairs, visited the estate of Francis B. Hayes, at Lex- 

 ington. This estate is entered for the Hunnewell Triennial Prize. 



It consists of a farm of several hundred acres, nearly in the centre 

 of which is situated a high eminence called Granny's Hill. Exca- 

 vations on the top of this hill discovered a natural reservoir of 

 water, which is conveyed in pipes to every portion of the farm. 



Fifteen years ago the whole estate was a waste huckleberry 

 pasture, uncultivated and unkept ; but through the energy and in- 

 domitable perseverance of the proprietor, it now presents a wonder- 

 fully fertile and thrifty appearance. 



The grounds about the mansion house were tastefully laid out and 

 judiciously planted with choice trees and shrubs, and showed the 

 effect of generous culture and good taste. The situations of the 

 flower plats were judiciously chosen, and the beds were well filled 

 with choice plants and flowers. Fruit and vegetable gardens were 

 also located in the best manner, conveniently near the mansion, yet 

 separated from it by the skilful arrangement of evergreens. The 

 cultivation was thorough and clean ; the vegetables and fruit gen- 

 erally were in good condition, and the management of the whole 

 place was admirable, combining present comfort with future useful- 

 ness. 



The recollections of the Revolution clustering around this place, 

 make it worthy of all that the present owner is doing to improve 

 and beautify it. Among the many interesting localities pointed out 

 to the Committee, the most memorable is the knoll on which 

 Samuel Adams and John Hancock halted as they retired from Lex- 



