170 THE BOTANISTS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



spot of the same extent presented such a great variety of 

 plants. There was a place on these grounds for plants of 

 every habit, and every plant was found in the best place for 

 its propagation and growth. On the densely wooded hill- 

 side, north of the dwelling, were found magnificent rhodo- 

 dendrons, and other mountain shrubbery and herbaceous 

 plants, natives of the Himalayas, the Rocky Mountains, the 

 Adirondacks, the Catskills and the Alleghanies, growing 

 side by side, and mingling their gaudy colors and rich 

 perfumes in deep-shaded seclusion, moistened by the spray 

 from the adjacent cascade of the mill-pond. Below, upon a 

 flat on the opposite side of the creek, was an arenaceous 

 alluvial deposit. Here was found the well-known " sand 

 garden " of the late proprietor, and clustered within it a 

 great number of species from New Jersey, and many 

 strangers from similar soil in more remote regions. The 

 arid rocky hills were covered with pines, and other Coniferse 

 of the rarest species. The damp ravine had its miniature 

 cane-brake; the artificial pond its odoriferous water lilies 

 and other aquatics. Every border was crowded with its 

 appropriate specimen of rare and curious productions of the 

 vegetable kingdom, brought together from remote parts of 

 the earth. Every nook and corner had a fitting tenant, 

 whose right of occupancy no horticulturist could question. 

 In this planting, John Evans observed no order but the 

 order of nature. A large proportion of the labor required 

 for the care and cultivation of this vast collection of plants 

 was performed by the hands of their late owner. But time 

 and labor were economized in every possible way consistent 

 with proper culture. The saw-dust from his mill was used 

 extensively around the growing plants to smother weeds. 



