REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON GARDENS 263 



Col. Harry E. Converse's Estate at Marion. 



June 26 the committee again had the opportunity of inspecting 

 the notable estate of Col. Harry E. Converse at Marion which was 

 awarded the Hunnewell Premium in 1911. 



The afternoon was spent in looking over the extensive grounds, 

 noting especially the rose, fruit, and vegetable gardens, as well as 

 the improvements made in the rock and water gardens since the 

 visit of the previous year. 



The nvimerous greenhouses with their collections of flowering 

 and foliage plants and fruits were also inspected and a fine border 

 of larkspurs and peonies attracted attention. 



The rose garden was in its prime and presented a magnificent 

 picture. Conspicuous in it were the Mme. Plantier and Frau Karl 

 Druschki in white, Killarney in pink, and the Paul Neyron, Ul- 

 rich Brunner, and Victor Hugo in various shades of red and crim- 

 son. The Persian Yellow and Wichuraiana hybrid Jersey Beauty 

 were also noted. 



The fruit garden of large and small fruits was in fine cultivation. 

 David F. Roy, the superintendent of the estate, finds that in straw- 

 berries the Nich Ohmer and Brandywine succeed best here, and of 

 peaches he grows the Elberta, Oldmixon, Stump, Early and Late 

 Crawfords, and the Carman. For plums he recommends the Bur- 

 bank, and for raspberries, the Cuthbert and Golden Queen. 



In the vegetable garden peas were most conspicuous; the melons 

 looked promising; and the usual kinds of culinary vegetables were 

 in good condition for the season. 



The rockery, of which mention was made in last year's report, 

 was much improved as was to be expected, for the plants covering 

 it had begun to fill their ofhce in giving shape and beauty to the 

 mass. 



The extensive woodlands on the estate have been judiciously 

 thinned and on the borders of the roads plantings of rhododendrons, 

 foxgloves, and sweet williams furnish pleasing touches of coloring. 

 Numerous small trees of catalpa seem to take well here and Rosa 

 rvgosa alba and rubra find a congenial home. For planting along 

 the seashore in masses this last species is especially well adapted 



