REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 285 



east by Farm Pond. My first work was the taking away of all 

 division walls, getting rid of old and worthless apple orchards, 

 etc. Within a short time the City of Boston seized the Sudbury 

 River, beginning the series of flowage dams, which in the case 

 of my farm on Basin Xo. 2 has given us a very extensive water 

 view. Within ten years of my first purchase, from neighbors 

 moving away, etc., I had added a large area to the original place, 

 the estate now consisting of nearly five hundred acres. The 

 pasture, about a hundred and fifty acres, "\yest of the river, is 

 fenced ; other than this there are no walls or fences on the place, 

 or on the county road running through the farm, ornamental 

 trees and shrubs proving a handsome and sufficient division line. 

 In 1888, to avail of the better site and extensive views, I 

 moved my house and stable about seventeen hundred feet in dis- 

 tance, directly north of the old location ; the new avenue, planting 

 plans, grading, etc., having been laid out and superintended by 

 Mr. Ernest W. Bowditch, landscape engineer and gardener. 

 There is a drive around the entire place, furnishing easy and 

 pleasant communication with all the fields, but the grounds 

 about the house, with the lawns, ornamental planting, kitchen- 

 garden, and main avenue comprise about seventy-five acres. The 

 farm buildings, including the modern three-story barn, are at the 

 extreme southerly end of this part of the estate, and near by is 

 the garden, of a little over two acres, including a moderate 

 amount of glass ; and here my gardener, Alexander McKay, has 

 raised the roses, violets, etc., which I have exhibited at the 

 Society's shows, taking many first premiums. I append a report ^ 

 from Mr. McKay on his method of raising violets in frames. 

 Your Committee awarded him their first prize of ^40 for these 

 violets last spring. 



Very truly, David Xevixs. 



To JoHx G. Barker, Esq., 



Cltairman Committee on Gardens. 



1 See page 293. 



