236 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The Messrs. Spauldings' Formal Gardens at Beverly. 



October 7 the committee inspected the formal gardens of W. S. 

 and J. T. Spaulding at Beverly. These comprise an area of about 

 thirteen acres and are laid out in general accordance with the plans 

 of some of the noted English and French models. Though only 

 in the second year of construction it is evident that they will take 

 rank with the best productions of this class of garden arrangement 

 in the country. 



There seems to be a strong tendency on the part of the owners 

 of some of our large estates to renew the interest in the formal 

 garden; the architectural garden, if it may be so termed; the 

 garden of statuary, pergolas, masonry, topiary work, and other 

 accessories, which judiciously combined with the plats of shrubs 

 and flowers preserves to us the type of garden of former genera- 

 tions and not wholly to be discarded in this era of informality and 

 naturalism. 



From this point of view such a garden as the Messrs. Spaulding 

 have constructed at Beverly is to be highly commended and we are 

 pleased to have in our territory such a splendid object lesson of this 

 class of landscape gardening. 



It would take more space in this report than we can be allowed to 

 enter into a more detailed description of this remarkable garden, 

 or to refer even in a most general way to the extensive collections of 

 trees, shrubs, and flowering plants which adorn it. The rose is 

 evidently a favorite with its owners and the wire fences which 

 surround the estate are covered with luxuriant Ramblers and with 

 the pergolas within must in the season of bloom present a spectacle 

 worthy a long journey to see. In addition to these are the plots of 

 Hardy Perpetual and Tea roses, of which there are more than 

 400 varieties, including thousands of plants, all planted by and 

 having the personal supervision of the well-known rosarian, Mrs. 

 Harriet R. Foote of Marblehead. 



The large range of glass on the place is devoted to the culture 

 of the usual varieties of tender plants and flowers and to fruits 

 and vegetables. Noteworthy among the latter are the houses of 

 melons, tomatoes, grapes, and peaches. The members of the com- 



