REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 281 



a dense low carpet of evergreen verdure quite bidden in spring 

 with its clouds of bright blue flowers ; V. incann with its silvery 

 foliage, setting off so well its upright spikes of lavender purple, 

 and V. pectinata^ with grayish woolly foliage and deep blue 

 spikes. 



The above represent to a certain extent the less well-known 

 sorts of hardy perennials ; the list is only partially complete, yet 

 possibly is as long as should be given to occupy the room of the 

 report. 



Jacob AV. Manning. 



Mrs. J. W. Clark's Estate, Po3ifret, Conn. 



On the 20th of August the Committee visited this estate, the 

 special object being to inspect the vinery, from which for several 

 seasons very fine fruit has been shown at the exhibitions by Mrs. 

 Clark. The account given by Mr. John Ash, the successful gar- 

 dener, will be read with interest and profit. The vinery gave evi- 

 dence in every way of skillful cultivation, showing at this time 

 some very fine fruit. Other objects of special interest might 'be 

 mentioned, but at some future time a more extended report of the 

 grounds will probably be given. It may, however, not be out of 

 place to say now that the entire grounds were in excellent condi- 

 tion, having all the requirements of a first class private place. 

 The vegetable garden was especially noticeable, its arrangement 

 being very orderly, and with a large succession of all the standard 

 varieties of vegetables in great abundance. The farm was quite 

 a feature, with a large barn for storing hay and keeping the horses 

 and cattle, all in excellent condition, and giving evidence of 

 good management and reflecting much credit on Mr. Ash who has 

 the direction of the entire estate. 



Mr. Ash's account of his method of cultivation is as follows : 

 I would say, with regard to my mode of cultivating grapes 

 that it is very simple. I start my grapery about Febuary 1.5th, 

 at a temperature of from 43° to 48° of artificial heat, allowing the 

 sun heat to run it up to from 80° to 85° with moderate ventila- 

 tion, keeping the house at these temperatures until the buds show 

 signs of swelling, when I raise the artificial heat to 55°, night tem- 

 perature, with a day temperature of 60°. I keep the house at this 

 heat until the vines have made a growth of about three inches, when 



