REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 239 



A few native cedars and junipers, the original tenants of the ledge, 

 were preserved and many species of other rock-loving plants have 

 been set out forming a suitable and attractive covering for the rocky 

 mass. In the crevices were growing Sedum acre, Phlox subulata, 

 houseleek, and cactus, while lower down in the broader spaces were 

 massed collections of Rosa alpina, lilies, azaleas, phloxes, and 

 honeysuckles. A healthy colony of Scotch heather was one of the 

 noticeable plants that appeared to find a congenial home here and 

 at the base of a sunny steep slope rambler roses and wistaria were 

 planted. 



The committee also viewed with interest the various gardens in 

 other portions of the estate, which mcluded a tract of land of about 

 five acres, three acres of which were under cultivation. There 

 were separate plots laid out for rose, ]3eony, and iris gardens, and of 

 especial note were the clumps of rhododendrons in magnificent 

 flower. Many fine specimens of trees and shrubs added to the 

 beauty of this interesting place. 



CoL. H. E. Converse's Estate at Marion. 



June 21 the committee visited the extensive seashore estate of 

 Col. Harry E. Converse at Marion. It comprises an area of about 

 eighty acres of well-wooded land situated on a prominent point 

 between Mattapoisett and Marion harbors on Buzzards Bay. 

 ♦ While the greater part of the estate is preserved in nearly its 

 original condition, with the exception of a fine system of roads, in 

 the vicinity of the home lot there is abundant evidence of the work 

 of the horticulturist in the various gardens devoted to ornamental 

 plants, shrubs, roses, and vegetables. There are also several 

 greenhouses in which are grown chrysanthemums and other flower- 

 ing and foliage plants, grapes, melons, and tomatoes. 



Numerous flourishing colonies of rhododendrons were observed 

 growing along the roadsides in the woodlands, presenting an 

 attractive feature. 



At the extreme end of the estate just back of the stony beach is a 

 grove of holly trees {Ilex opaca) which attracted the interested 

 attention of the visitors. There were about a dozen of them, all 



