^Evolution of Horticulture 



home and abroad. Among the early es- 

 tates of note was that of Thomas Brattle, 

 who returned after the Revolution and 

 took possession of the grounds of his 

 father who had laid them out in the for- 

 mal style then common in Europe. These 

 grounds were extensive, stretching from 

 the banks of the Charles to the estate of 

 the Vassalls. 



The Craigie property, the mansion of 

 which has been so long and so well known 

 for its spacious and graceful proportions, 

 and also for its many honored occupants, 

 formerly extended back and included the 

 present Observatory Hill which bore a 

 summer-house. The space immediately 

 about the mansion was ornamented with 

 a garden during the latter part of the last 

 century, in which were planted numerous 

 trees, shrubs, and flowers, some of which 

 still remain. A greenhouse was also 

 erected by Mr. Craigie, which was proba- 

 bly the first in Cambridge. 



In the vicinity there were numerous 

 other estates in the possession of wealthy 

 128 



