Bvolution of Iborticulture 



were planted, while every improvement 

 in agriculture was sought and obtained. 

 Broad fertile fields, dotted with noble 

 aged oaks and pines, stretched away be- 

 yond the farm buildings, while the views 

 from the mansion, combining on the one 

 side Massachusetts Bay, the islands, and 

 distant Boston, and on the other, the 

 forest-clad Blue Hills, and the inter- 

 vening country : both combined to endear 

 the homestead to its owners and to gratify 

 its numerous guests. 



Wellesley contains the property of H. 

 H. Hunnewell, which is too well-known 

 at the present day to warrant any long 

 description. The wonderful changes 

 which have been wrought through his 

 instrumentality upon this region, form 

 one of the best examples of the evolution 

 of horticulture that could be brought 

 forward. The ornamental portion of the 

 estate, consisting of about forty acres, 

 was at the time of purchase a plain with 

 sandy soil, covered by worthless trees and 

 shrubs. These were entirely eradicated, 

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