218 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of interest, although an "official" vigit of your committee was not 

 made until the 29th day of August. Their report, however, will 

 reflect the impressions of different months, and the coloring of 

 successive periods ; and notice only some of the most striking 

 characteristics of a spot which has acquired almost a national rep- 

 utation. To describe it full}'^, in all its details, would lie impos- 

 sible. Wellesley has been visited so often b}'^ persons of taste 

 from all sections, and its attractions have been so frequently photo- 

 graphed by artists or mentioned by the pi'ess, that such past 

 descriptions would- suffice, were it not that changes and improve- 

 ments are alwaj's in progress and every observer views things from 

 his own peculiar stand-point. 



For the benefit of the uninitiated, it may be stated that Mr. 

 Hunnewell's entire location includes about four hundred and fifty 

 acres ; embracing nearly the whole easterly and southerly shore 

 of the lovely Waban Lake, and running on a level, easterly, across 

 the highway, until by graceful undulations and shadow}'' groves, 

 it drops into the Charles River. The elegant residences of two of 

 bis sons are on the east of the road, beyond his farthest gate, 

 his own mansion being on the west, a good distance therefrom, 

 near the border of the lake, which it overlooks in the rear ; having 

 in front a lawn of thirty acres, which spreads its velvet surface 

 most attractively before it. Trees, in variety, are planted occa- 

 sionally in groups, but thickly where necessary to conceal the 

 boundaries ; while inlets, ba3's, and salient points give shelter to 

 countless rare or tender shrubs without apparently limiting the 

 space. 



The Entrance Gateway is about one mile from the steam-car 

 depot, near the foot of a gentle elevation. It is tasteful and ap- 

 propriate, consisting of four belted posts of red Gloucester granite, 

 with dental caps, ball-tops, and gates and side supports of iron. 

 At the right, stands the Porter's Lodge, under a wooded hillside, 

 the frame work visible and the roof-point flattened, visor-like, in 

 front — unique and picturesque, and completely overrun by the 

 new and vigorous creeper, Ampelopsis Veitcliii. This hardy vine, 

 of rapid growth, fine foliage, and wonderfully adhesive power, 

 has, perhaps, no equal. On some of the trees it had mounted to 

 the highest branches. 



The Approach, or Avenue, rising gradually to the plain, which 

 is fifty-five feet above the lake, makes a wide, semi-circular sweep 

 by the Mansion house and returns to the highway by another gate, 



