REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 171 



of their flowers is hardly noticeable in the general effect, for the 

 other portions of the garden are filled with later blooming perennials. 

 While a few early flowering bulbs and late flowering plants are 

 planted wth the peonies the main idea and effect is distinctly a 

 peony garden, the other plants only serving to brighten the beds 

 before and after the peonies have bloomed. 



The general features of the estate were so well described in the 

 report of the last %dsit that the need of further remarks, other than 

 in connection with the methods of cultivation practiced, and a few 

 words in conclusion, seem unnecessary. 



The natural soil of the garden is a clayey loam and the most 

 satisfactory method of planting has been found to be deep cultiva- 

 tion accomplished by making a hole two or three feet in diameter 

 for each plant, removing the soil to the depth of eighteen inches 

 and digging into the bottom a heavy dressing of cow manure. 

 The pulverized soil is then returned and the plant set out, no ferti- 

 lizer of any kind coming in direct contact with the newly planted 

 roots. The young roots soon become sufficiently strong to pene- 

 trate to the fertilized soil at the bottom and at that depth are less 

 affected by dry weather. 



The points wliich impressed themselves upon the committee 

 as the most desirable and worthy of imitation in this garden were 

 the partial separation of the peony garden proper from the main 

 garden, thereby removing from the main body of the garden the 

 objectionable feature of a large number of flowerless plants after 

 the blooming season is over, and at the same time so arranging 

 them that when in bloom they make a most attractive and effective 

 feature of the garden scheme; and the arrangement of the plants 

 in a series of rectangular beds cut out from the soil leaving strips 

 of grass between them wliich serve as walks, giving free access 

 for the examination of varieties; wliile the effect of the whole is 

 enhanced by the surrounding green of the grass, which of course 

 must be kept short and smooth by frequent use of the lawn mower." 



Morton F. Plant's Estate, Groton, Conn. 



September 21 the committee inspected the estate of INIorton F. 

 Plant at Groton, Connecticut, now in the second year of its entry 

 for the H. H. Hunnewell Triennial Premium. 



