58 Notes on Gardens and Gardening 



crop the coming season. In recording my opinion of these 

 treeS; however, I must also record the opinion which I there 

 expressed, viz., that they were for the most part rather too 

 thickly set with branches, — too full of wood, as gardeners 

 term it. This is a fault which is almost every where per- 

 ceptible, both in public and in private gardens, and it con- 

 vinces me that the propriety of keeping fruit trees thin and 

 open among their branches, is not fully appreciated, nor the 

 theory of the matter generally understood. The collection 

 of specimen trees, however, in the grounds of Messrs. Hovey, 

 is undoubtedly the best I have ever seen, and those inter- 

 ested in such matters will be highly gratified by looking at 

 them. When it is taken into consideration how much labor 

 and time are required to keep such an unusual number of 

 trees in order, — numbering upwards of two thousand^ — the 

 fault which I have alluded to, — if so it may be termed, — 

 may well be overlooked. The object, in many instances, 

 is not to possess a very symmetrical tree, particularly of the 

 newer varieties, but rather to keep them in a limited space, 

 so that they may be brought speedily into fruit, and their 

 qualities tested as soon as possible, to be afterwards grafted 

 with fine sorts, should they prove inferior kinds. 



The different methods of heating adopted at these places, 

 are chiefly hot water pipes and smoke flues, under various 

 modifications. The Polmaise method appears to be regarded 

 with suspicion and distrust, — and not without good cause. 

 They will act wisely who adhere to the older and well 

 proved modes and let Polmaise alone. I speak from expe- 

 rience, and with confidence, — for I know what it is. But 

 as I intend to say something on this subject bye and bye, I 

 will leave it for the present. 



Residence of Col. T. H. Perkins, Brookline. — The next 

 place I visited was that of Col. Perkins. The gardens here 

 are also very extensive, and the extent of hot houses, proba- 

 bly greater than at that of Mr. Cushing's. They appeared to 

 have been somewhat neglected of late years, but a liberal 

 and judicious system of gardening is now carried on, and 

 many cultural improvements are in progress by the present 



