91 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER 



SEPT. 21, If 40. 



' WINSIIIP'S NURSERIES. 

 Many of our rea4ers, probably, liave never visi- 

 ted these celebrated niir.sories. though they must 

 be familiar with their name and character, for we 

 believe there are but o few of our subscribers who 

 have not at some time ordered trei's or plants from 

 them through us or otherwise. A ramble among 

 the young and vigorous trees, shrubs and plants, 

 collected from all parts of the world, must, when 

 clothed in their foliage of various shades, and flow- 

 ers of every hue, give pleasure oven to the most 

 careless observer of the vegetable creation : but to 

 him who loves to observe and compare the endless 

 variely contained in the vegetable kingdovn, will 

 esteem it a rare treat to devote a few hours in walk- 

 ing over these well kept grounds. Not long since 

 we tools a friend of ours froju Maine to these nur- 

 series, who observed, that althougli he lia<l seen 

 much to admire in and about tlie city, yet he had 

 been much more gratified by e.\amining the vari- 

 ous species of trees and plants here than by all 

 the rest he had seen. 



The nurseries of the Messrs Winship were com- 

 menced about eighteen years since. Until that 

 time the assortment of fruit trees for sale was very 

 meagre in comparison to what it is now ; and as 

 to ornamental trees and plants, we may safely say 

 very little had been done in the nursery Une to 

 form a collection for the accounr.ndation of the pub- 

 lic. If a gentleman wished for plants to ornament 

 his ground, he was obliged to pick up a variety 

 from the garden of friend A. and another from 

 friend !$., and so on, but after all he could obtain 

 from all the sources, he could command but a scan- 

 ty supply. A new era commenced in floriculture 

 and ornamental gardening when the Messrs Win- 

 ship, by untiring diligence and persevering enter- 

 prise, collected from Europe and America their 

 extensive, collection and offered their rare treasures 

 to the public. It should be remembered that there 

 did not exist at that time the same facilities for ob- 

 taining plants from abroad as we have now, and 

 we think these gentlemen are entitled to much 

 credit for thoir unceasing eff'orts and unremitting 

 industry in bringing their nursery to its present 

 condition. 



The nurseries cover over 25 acres of ground. 



most of it quite level : the southern portion de- 

 scends to the south, wlu're a small streamlet winds 

 its wav at the bottom, giving a little variety, and 

 affording facilities for watermg and other advanta- 

 ges. It is situated five miles from Boston, on the 

 Worcester rail road, and is llie first stopping place 

 from the city. A person wishing to visit the gar- 

 dens from the city, may reach them in fifteen min- 

 utes ; or, if they would prefer an onuiibus, there is 

 one that runs three times a day into the city and 

 back. The grounds are iiif^rsected with nume- 

 rous broad avenues and walks, by which every 

 part is made accessible, and the great beauty of it 

 is, these avenues and walks are always in fine or- 

 der. The borders form an extent of at least one 

 mile, and are filled with a great variety of herbace- 

 ous plants and shrubs, which through the season 

 of flowers present a gay and brilliant appearance. 

 There is on the "slablishment a well filled green 

 house from which an extensive collection of choice 

 plants may at any time he selected. 



We were informed that the nurseries embrai e 

 the following varieties of fruit trees: apples 2:30; 

 almonds 4 ; apricots :}() ; cherries .Vi; currants 22 ; 

 gooseberries 105; grapes G5 | mulberries 10; nec- 



tarines 25; pears 200; peaches Ul3 ; plums 75; 

 quinces 8 ; barberries 4 ; blackberries 10 ; raspber- 

 ries 14; strawberries 30; nut trees 18. 



Of ornamental trees, shrubs and plants — fore.-t 

 trees of the first class G:5 ; second class 55 ; shrubs 

 197; evprgreen trees and shrubs G7 ; honeysuckle 

 and Azalea 43; hardy roses 300 ; Scotch roses <;4 ; 

 Peeonies 40 ; Chinese chrysanthemums 20 ; Iris 20 ; 

 herbaceous perennials between 200 and 300 varie- 

 ties. 



To describe even some of the more prominent 

 species would take more time than we could spare, 

 and occupy more space than would be desirable 

 for one paper. One of the most elegant trees, ac- 

 cording to our fancy, is the Shephardia eleagnoides 

 or Buflalo Berry. This beautiful tree was first no- 

 ticed by Professor Nuttall during his travels in 

 Missouri in ihe year 1810, and named after bis 

 friend, Mr Sliephard, of Liverpool. Tlie seeds of 

 the original tree now in this nursery, were coUec 

 led by Col. Snelling, of the city of Boston, and 

 forwarded to John S. Skinner, Esq., of Baltimore, 

 and from thence to the Messrs Winship. The 

 tree is perfectly hardy and will thrive in almost 

 any soil or climate. The tree forms an elegant 

 continual ornament for any gentleman's grounds, 

 being in summer clothed with a rich egg leaved 

 foliatre, bright green on the upper side, and deli- 

 cate silver beneath ; and in autumn and winter red, 

 with thick clusters of its frnit. This latter is in 

 size and shape like a currant, and in taste lias a 

 pleasant tartness, which I can liken to nothing 

 else I have tasted. Preserved, it makes an elegant 

 jam." 



In ordering these trees it should be remembered 

 that it is necessary to have a pair, otherwise they 

 will not fruit, as they are male and female. Spe- 

 cimens of hedges formed of the Shephardia may 

 be seen on the premises, and for this purpose will 

 undoubtedly be a great acquisition to the country. 

 The hedge in front of Ihe house of Jonatlian Win- 

 ship, Es(|. is perfect. It is six years from seed 

 and two since it was set, and now forms a close 

 hedge suflicient to keep off cattle. Specimens of 

 hedges formed of the three thorned Acacia, buck- 

 thorn, arbor vitae, &c., are also to be seen. Gen- 

 tlemen wishing to plant hedges would do well to 

 examine these specimens before thoy commence 

 operations. 



Many of the forest trees are of a large size ; to 

 those who wish to ornament their grounds or the 

 road side, they will find every thing to their mind 

 in this line and no mistake. Here are the English 

 and American Ijinden, horse chesnuts, rock and 

 other maples, English and American elms, supeib 

 Scotch and American larch, spruce, fir, arbor vitse, 

 mountain ash, silver leaved abele, weeping and 

 hoop leaved willows, and many others too nume- 

 rous to mention, every thing in fact to please the 

 eye. The time is near at hand when all hardy 

 trees that shed their leaves, may be moved with 

 the greatest safety. Evergreens do best in the 

 spring; hardy fruit trees may also be transplanted 

 in the autumn. Peach trees should be moved in 

 the spring, as they are liable to be winter killed if 

 transplanted in the fall. We recommend to our 

 friends to call and see for themselves and make 

 their own selections, or send their orders to us and 

 w(^ will do it for them. J. B. 



ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

 The annual exhibition by the Society will be at 

 Georgetown, on Wednesday, Septemhcr iiOlh. The ' 

 Trustees and Committees will meet at Savory's j 

 Hotel, at 9 o'clock, A. M. 



All claims for premiums to bo awarded on the 

 day of exhibition, must be entered with the Secre- 

 tary of the Society or his agent, on or before 9 

 o'clock, A. M. that day. All other claims for pre- 

 miums must be handed or forwarded to the Secre- 

 tary in writing. 



All articles of domestic mannfactnre must be en- 

 tered with the agent of the Secretary, at the hall 

 near the hotel, where they will be exhibited. Af- 

 ter the Committee have closed their examination, 

 the hall will be open for visitors. 



Butter, cheese, fruits and flowers, will be deposi- 

 ted at rooms provided for this purpose, under the 

 direction of the several committees who have 

 charge of these subjects. 



All animals or articles exhibited will be requir- 

 ed to remain for the inspection of the public until 

 3 o'clock, P. M. 



The ploughing match will take place on a field 

 near the village, at 10 o'clock, A. M. under the di- 

 rection of the Committees. The examination of 

 workincr oxen will be immediately after. 



The several committees will proceed in the dis- 

 charge of their respective duties as soon as prac- 

 ticable after 10 o'clock. All claimants who have 

 statements or information to give the committees 

 will lake care to be at their posts when the com- 

 mittees require it 



Gentlemen who have fine fruits or superior veg- 

 etable productions of any kind, and who feel an in- 

 terest in advancing the objects of the Society, are 

 respectfully requested to bring them forward. 



In addition to the premiums heretofore ofliered, 

 there will be paid the present year, one hundred 

 dollars, by the State Society, for the best animals 

 exhibited from this or any other county in the com- 

 monwealth. 



Those who intend to plough, must give notice 

 to the Secretary or J. Russell, Esq., at Georgetown, 

 on or before the Monday next preceding the exhi- 

 bition. The members of the Society and invited 

 guests will dine together at half past 1 o'clock, P. M. 

 At 3 o'clock, P. M. the Society will meet at 

 Rev. Mr Braman's meeting house, to hear an ad- 

 dress by Asahel Huntington, Esq., of Salem ; after 

 which the reports of the several committees will be 

 submitted, and the usual business of the annual 

 meeting transacted. 



jvjoTK. — The Committee of Arrangements have 

 taken care to provide suitable rooms for the accom- 

 modation of ladies who may attend the exhibition, 

 where they will be furnished « ith such refresh- 

 ments as they may need, in the lower story of tilt 

 hall, where the manufactures will be exhibited. 

 Per order, 



JOHN W. PROCTOR, Sec')-y. 

 Danvcrs, Sept. 12, 1840. 



Moths. — The best preventive of clothes being in- 

 fested with this destructive insect is, to take them 

 out frequently and brush and air them. 



Use. nf Slates in ripening Fruit. — -A grape vini 

 branch trained over a small slate roof facing tli' 

 south, was noticed to be extraordinary early in per 

 feeling its fruit. The grapes on this roof wer 

 ripe and black whilst those on the rest of the branc!- 

 were yet green. This, effect, evidently due to th 

 heat accumulated in the slates from the rays of ih 

 sun, has been advantageously applied in assistin, 

 the ripening of wall fruit. — Frencli pap. 



