RARE AND NOTABLE PLANTS 



At Dr. George De Benneville's "Sil- 

 ver Pine Farm" is a group of white 

 pine (pinus strobus), which if not the 

 largest is at least the most imposing 

 one among us. These trees are nine 

 in number, are about two feet in di- 

 ameter trunk, rise to a height of from 

 80 to 100 feet, and their shattered 

 arms are familiar to every frequenter 

 of Branchtown by way of Green lane 

 or York road. As these trees gave 

 name to the place, so we may refer to 

 a farm house-like structure which once 

 stood where Masonic Hall now stands 

 on Main street near St. Luke's 

 Church, a house in 1832 the home of 

 Bronson Alcott, and the birthplace of 

 Louisa M. Alcott — which from a group 

 of trees before it, became known as 

 "Silver Pine Cottage." 



In this same cottage, while rector of 

 St. Luke's Church, Rev. B. Wistar 

 Morris also dwelt, and this in a meas- 

 ure may account for his love of "Ore- 

 gon pines," though his old-time neigh- 

 bors say he was elected bishop for 

 quite another reason. 



Conspicuous specimens of white 

 pine, in some respects our most im- 

 pressive tree, may be seen at Lou- 

 doun, at Toland's, at Henry's, all near 



40 



