in the neighborhood of Boston. 53 



however, these arrangements are made with a due regard to 

 order and convenience, as well as comfort to the workmen. 

 The plants can be taken from the houses, shifted, and re- 

 turned to their places, with the smallest amount of trouble. 

 No garden can be complete without arrangements of this 

 kind ; although they are considered matters of secondary im- 

 portance, and not unfrequently altogether neglected. 



Behind the principal range of houses, there is a number of 

 pits, built, originally, 1 believe, for growing pine apples. 

 These pits are very commodious, and are turned to excellent 

 advantage, for the purposes of propagation and for raising 

 young stock for the stove and greenhouse ; they were well 

 filled with Geraniums, Calceolarias, &c., all luxuriating in a 

 healthy, humid atmosphere. The grounds around the man- 

 sion are beatifully disposed, and planted with hardy evergreen 

 trees : they contain many fine specimens of the conifera?, 

 both indigenous and imported : indeed, the whole place dis- 

 plays in a very striking degree, the taste and liberality of its 

 wealthy proprietor. 



Mrs. PratVs Residence, nearly opposite that of Mr. Cush- 

 ing's, is one of the most picturesque places around Boston ; 

 presenting a beautiful combination of sweeps and formalities, 

 curves and zig-zags, hills and hollows, the effect of which is 

 considerably increased by the continuous undulations extend- 

 ing over the whole surface of the surrounding grounds. 

 The mansion being situated upon an eminence, commands 

 an extensive view of the country around. The landscape 

 for a considerable distance is ornamented with, and broken 

 by, individual trees, clumps, and masses of cedars and pines, 

 which, in summer, must have a fine effect, when contrasted 

 with the lighter foliage of the deciduous trees. The house 

 is approached by a very beautiful drive, winding gracefully 

 through the trees, forming a sort of serpentine avenue, after 

 the Reptonian fashion. These kind of carriage roads are 

 rarely to be met with in America, except in a form which 

 may justly be called a ludicrous burlesque upon the intended 

 style. This road rises with a gradual and easy ascent, to- 

 wards the mansion, and is well worthy of imitation. 



