132 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



For ueatness and system, for taste in selections and skill in plant- 

 ing, for quickness of perception and boldness in execution, for 

 thoroughness, promptness and energ}', he is certainly notable. 



In the last summer, when an evergreen hedge, three hundred 

 feet long, was wanted for the westerly side of his garden, to 

 replace one of hemlock, killed the preceding winter, one hundred 

 and fifty Retinospora ohtusa, six feet high, then standing in Bristol, 

 R. I., were offered him. The next morning a freight car was 

 obtained from the railroad company, half a dozen men were 

 despatched to Bristol, the trees were lifted, loaded and transported 

 to Boston the next da}', and before the next night were nicely set 

 in their present position, where they now, by their dense, fern-like 

 foliage and brilliant green, attract the notice of all visitors. 



For the kind attentions of Mr. Graj% and his cordial reception 

 of the Committee, they tender him their acknowledgments and 

 thanks. Having exhausted most of the afternoon in this most 

 agreeable visit to INIr. Gray, a portion of your Committee accepted 

 an invitation to drive over to the 



Residence of the Hon. Marshall P. Wilder. 



The ever open doors, and tasteful mansion of our distinguished 

 associate, and the attractions within and without, are too well 

 known to need any description. But it may not be amiss to notice 

 a few changes and objects of interest which were particularly 

 observed. Near the entrance of his avenue, on the right, the 

 e3'e fastens at once upon a large conglomerate rock, just out- 

 cropping on a rising bank, whereon stands a garden vase, with a 

 net work of ivies and L3'copodiums covering its face, while at its 

 base are hardy Sevipervivuvis and Sedum SieboMi, and about 

 thirty kinds of house leeks, curiously arranged. Near to these in 

 succession as now given, are small belts of scarlet geraniums, 

 Jresine Lrndeni, Centaurea, Crystal Palace Geraniums, and a 

 fine border of Altemanthera amahilis tricolor. Passing on to the 

 southerly side of the house, a large circular flower-bed is cut in 

 the smooth lawn, and filled with plants in the following order. 

 Beginning at the centre, where a revised vase is set, from which 

 Jresine Gihoni, and tlie variegated Vinca become pendent and 

 overflow like a fountain. A ring of variegated Ahutilonl Tliomp- 

 soni is planted there side of Centaurea gymnocarjm; next, Coleus 

 VerscJiafeltiij then Iresine Gilsoni; next Centaurea Candida^ and 



