SEPTEMBER. 433 



avenue were badly injured last winter by the ice, which 

 snapped off the top of one, and broke the branches of the 

 others. There are several huge hemlocks, standing directly 

 on the steep bank of the pond, whose dark shadows are 

 reflected in the clear water. Mr. Perkins has recently plant- 

 ed out a number of the more rare pines and other trees, and 

 in a few years they will greatly add to the beauty of the 

 place. 



Our recent visit here by invitation of Mr. Perkins, was to 

 see the operation of Swift's Lawn Grass machine, which was 

 described in our volume of last year. It is an improvement 

 upon the English patterns, which have been in use for some 

 years, saving a vast deal of labor, and performing the work 

 as well as the scythe, and better, unless in very skilful hands. 

 The improvements, according to Mr. Swift, consist mainly in 

 making the knives so adjustable, as to allow them to be ground 

 and worn three fourths of an inch ; and so altering the form 

 and construction, that small stones will do no material injury 

 where the English knife would be rendered useless. 



Mr. Perkins's machine, which is one of the largest size, 

 was put in operation on his beautiful lawn. The grass was 

 very damp after a shower the preceding evening, and did not 

 cut as well as when dryer; for, unlike ordinary cutting with 

 the scythe, when the sward should be moist, the machine 

 works better when dry, as it does not clog up so readily, and 

 the grass is thrown into the gathering-box better. A pony 

 harnessed in, and taking the handles, we took a turn round 

 the lawn, cutting the grass as smooth as a carpet, and clean- 

 ing it up as neatly as if it had been swept. It works with the 

 greatest ease, though a little practice enables one to manage 

 it better, and cut with greater rapidity, especially where there 

 are trees or shrubs. With care the grass may be cut within 

 a few inches of any tree or plant. 



This excellent machine will save a great amount of labor, 

 besides doing the work in such a manner as it is almost im- 

 possible to have it done, except where there is a gardener 

 who has long practised cutting with the scythe, and it requires 

 no little skill to do it well. With such a machine as Mr. 



VOL. XXII. NO. IX. 55 



