171 the neighborhood of Boston. 55 



is strikingly characteristic of the neighboring country, and 

 though the forest trees were stripped of their summer gar- 

 ments, and the rusty brown cedars presented a dreary and 

 melancholy aspect, as their forms were reflected against the 

 snow-covered summits of the numerous elevations, still 

 there was ample food for reflection, — and for admiration too. 

 The very trees and shrubs had an aspect of melancholy and 

 silent solemness, as if they were conscious of the consecrated 

 ground on which they grew. The pines, — the cypress and 

 the cedars, seemed to partake of the sacred solemnity of the 

 graves over which they hung ; and as they shadowed with 

 their embrowned canopies the hallowed resting places of the 

 departed, their silent voices conveyed a lesson more touching 

 and impressive, than the most learned philosophy could im- 

 part. 



The Nurseries and Grounds of Messrs. Hovey at Cam- 

 bridge^ near Harvard Colleges, about two miles from Boston, 

 are also well worthy of a visit. This establishment, which 

 covers about thirty-six acres in the heart of the city, has 

 now attained a deservedly conspicuous position, solely by 

 the assiduous labors of its proprietors, who have spared no 

 pains or expense to perfect every branch of the nursery bus- 

 iness. It is only by visiting, and comparing one establish- 

 ment Avith another, that one is able to appreciate in a right 

 degree, the services of those who have contributed to the im- 

 provement of gardening and its various productions ; and 

 there is abundant evidence that the proprietors of this estab- 

 lishment have been, and are still, zealous in their endeavors 

 to introduce every thing worthy of cultivation from abroad, 

 or to be obtained at home. They have just erected and 

 completed one of the largest span-roofed houses in the 

 country, being ninety-six feet long and thirty feet wide, 

 chiefly for the growth of specimen plants, for which purpose 

 it is well designed. It already contained a large collection 

 of plants, among which were some specimens of considerable 

 merit. To particularize and describe every individual plant 

 worthy of being noticed, would occupy too much space. I 

 will briefly mention a few which caught my eye, more con- 

 spicuously than the rest : — 



