RARE AND NOTABLE PLANTS 



occupies an important place in the 

 early records of Germantown. From 

 our Township line boundaries the an- 

 cient "hicories" have disappeared, and 

 I shall refer only to a notable one 

 which stood on Baynton street, west 

 of Church lane, a tree Thomas Mac- 

 Kellar described as "the finest hick- 

 ory" he ever saw. 



"Wyck" throughout the history of 

 Germantown has been conspicuous, 

 and I regret that present bounds will 

 not permit us to enlarge upon it. To 

 this attractive spot came the most 

 noted naturalists of the last century, 

 and following in the path of generous 

 culture came Lafayette, who in the 

 year 1825 was given here a public re- 

 ception, which is distinctly remem- 

 bered by Robert Thomas and Joseph 

 Murter, honored citizens already re- 

 ferred to, who attended it. At "Wyck" 

 is growing a Spanish chestnut (cas- 

 tanea vesca) raised from a tree whose 

 parent nut was planted by Washington 

 at Belmont for Judge Richard Peters. 

 Also here is a white walnut (juglans 

 cinerea) grown from a tree planted 

 by Lafayette at Belmont, upon his 

 "farewell visit" to America. Many of 

 us may remember it was an immense 



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