June 22, 1892.] 



Garden and Forest. 



299 



much of the dignity wliicli comes with age — a too rare feature 

 of American gardens. 



The most experienced gardener may learn mucli at Welles- 

 ley, and he can find many object-lessons there at any tnne. 

 The attractions of the place are particularly numerous and 

 varied at present. . The " Italian Garden " (sec Garden and 

 Forest, vol. ii., p. 103), so-called, is worth a journey from any part 

 of the United States, to those who have never seen anything 

 of the kind. It occupies the sloping ground between the 

 house and the lake, and consists of a series of terraces on 

 which trees and hedges of various kinds, clipped to formal 

 patterns, are growing. This kind of ornamental gardening 

 originated with the Dutch at an early period, and was copied 

 in later times, witli some modifications, by the horticulturists 

 of several other European countries. There are only a few 

 of these gardens now in existence, and that at Wellesley is 

 the only one of any considerable extent in this country. 



The plants at Wellesley are in many cases not the same as 

 those employed in European examples of topiary work. The 

 Hemlock, Beech (both the purple and green forms), Norway 

 Spruce, White Pine, Scotch Fir and Arf)or Vitae are the most 

 plentif id. A low wall on one of the back walks is decorated 

 with tall, columnar specimens of Juniper and Irish Yew, 

 arranged on the flat top in the form of a colonnade. These 

 two latter plants are grown in tubs for greater convenience in 

 storing, since they are not hardy here. 



Glimpses of a large white tent in another part of the grounds 

 now strike the eye through the shrubbery, and on investiga- 

 tion it is found filled with handsome specimens of greenhouse 

 Azaleas. The pots are plunged to the rim in the sod, and the 

 plants are so well arranged that they seem to be in permanent 

 position. There is no sheeting to the sides of the tent, but 

 there is a large plantation of hardy Azaleas on the outside, 

 and the soft colors of their flowers form a charming back- 

 ground to the brighter blooms within. Several large trees, 

 beautifully draped with white and purple Wistarias, are also 

 noticeable in close proximity, and Mr. Harris, the gardener, 

 called attention to some specimens of a very good new Japa- 

 nese Azalea, which had proved perfectly hardy at Wellesley 

 last winter. This is certainly an acquisition as a hardy plant, 

 the flowers being large, handsome, and of a rich purple shade. 



The simple, daisy-like flowers of the Marguerite (Chrysan- 

 themum frutescens) were very attractive on large specimens 

 around the base of the central tent-pole. This is an admirable 

 decorative plant, as easy to grow as a weed, though it will not 

 stand frosts, and it may be made useful in a thousand ways. 



The Rhododendrons are a striking feature of the place, and 

 they are to be found in large groups on every side. They 

 bloom during the early weeks of June, and their magnificent 

 trusses of flowers are then distinguishable miles away. The 

 plants like a peaty soil that is moist and cool, and a thorough 

 mulching of litter tends to preserve these conditions in very 

 hot weather. Mr. Harris assured me that it has been amply 

 demonstrated by experiment that the most important varieties 

 of Rhododendrons require no protection in winter at Welles- 

 ley. This is encouraging for those who wish to grow these 

 most desirable shrubs, for the climate of Wellesley is by no 

 means mild. The statement of Mr. Harris is doubtless true 

 as regards immediate protection, but in no case, as far as I 

 could see, are the plants wholly unsheltered on dangerous 

 sides. The position of the plant is often its protection, and 

 the trees and hedges adjacent to the Wellesley plantations of 

 Rhododendrons go far to preserve them from destructive 

 winds and sunshine. 



The Rhododendron beds are edged with variegated Funkias, 

 and there are many splendid specimens of rare conifers about 

 the grounds. Limited time allowed me only a glance at the 

 interesting rockery convenient to the Italian Garden, but 

 I noted the variegated form of Evonymus radicans, almost 

 rivaling E. latifolius variegatus in the proportions and excel- 

 lent color of its leaves, and the large bushes of Kalmia latifolia 

 in bud, promising a rich display of bloom a few days later. 



Some Peach-trees and Grape-vines in the fruit-houses gave 

 every indication of heavy crops, and the numerous structures 

 devoted to stove and greenhouse plants were amply stocked 

 with general material, and gave evidence of high cultivation. 

 A large area of glass is taken up with choice Orchids. These 

 plants especially are all in the most vigorous health, and many 

 of them are flowering profusely. Their excellent condition is 

 largely due, without a doubt, to the rich liquid manure which 

 is freely applied to their roots. The conservatory adjoining 

 the dwelling-house contains a fine collection of Orchids in 

 bloom. The plants, even the best of them, are far too 

 numerous to specify, and they produce an effect which in 

 itself is worth a journey of many miles. I cannot refrain. 



however, from mentioning Dendrobium Wardianum, 

 wliich was represented by a large number of specimens, con- 

 spicuous for their superb condition at a period of the year 

 so far advanced. A grantl plant of Medinilla n)agnifica occu- 

 pied a prominent position in the same house. Tlie temporary 

 awning directly outside covered well-grown Achimenes, 

 Gloxinias, Imantophyllums, Calceolarias, Pelargoniums, p-ox- 

 glovcs (lirst-class in pots), Siiiraea Japonica grandiflora. Wis- 

 tarias, Eurya latifolia and Rliynchos]jermum jasminoides. 



It has taken over forty years of persistent and intelligent 

 care, with a great outlay of money, to make the gardens of 

 Wellesley what they are to-day, and in view of this it would 

 appear ungracious to close this notice without an allusion to 

 tlie public spirit and generosity of Mr. Hunnewell in throwing 

 all these horticultural treasures so freely open to the public. 

 Canilji'idjje, M;is3. M. Barker. 



Albinos among Orchids. 

 To the Editor of Garden and Forest : 



Sir,— In your issue of March 23d J. T. describes the finding 

 of a white-flowered plant of Habenaria psycodes, and asks if 

 any one else has ever found one. 



On the 30th of last July I collected what I judge to be the 

 same variety, along a damp road-side a few miles from 

 North Anson Village, Maine. The white variety was almost 

 as abundant as the type, with which it grew. The specimens 

 were new to me, but on account of their number were sup- 

 posed, at the time, to be some ordinary white-flowered Habe- 

 naria common to the region. They were placed in the 

 vasculum without even a thought as to what species they 

 might be. On account of their beauty a handful of the spikes, 

 both white and purple, was collected as a bouquet, and a very 

 pretty one they made. 



Upon returning to the village it required but a moment's 

 examination to identify the flowers, the variation from the type 

 being very slight, except in die pure white of the flowers and 

 the less deeply fringed lips. Although the white-flowered 

 plants were not examined critically or compared with the 

 common variety at the time of collecting, the impression re- 

 ceived from subsequent observation is that the white form is 

 an albino, and not a hybrid, as was suggested to your Norwich 

 correspondent. The flowers discoloi- in drying as quickly as 

 do those of some other allied species. 



Providence, R. I. J. F. Collins. 



Preference of Birds for Certain Trees. 

 To the Editor of Garden and Forest : 



Sir, — I quote the following passage from a recent number 

 of the Mediterranean Naturalist : 



"It is remarkable that no writer has noticed the preference 

 that certain species of birds give to certain trees. Jays and 

 rooks are found in the greatest numliers in Oak-trees, finches 

 in Lime-trees, and black-caps among the Laurels. The night- 

 ingale is always found in the greatest numbers in nut-groves, 

 while the thrush evinces a decided preference for the Birch 

 and Ash. The Beech is the favorite tree of the woodpecker, 

 and the numerous families of tits are generally found in the 

 greatest abundance among the Black Thorns." 



I arn not familiar enough with birds, or with books about 

 birds, to know whether this writer is, indeed, the first to call 

 attention to such preferences. Perhaps some of your readers 

 can say whether they have been observed by American natu- 

 ralists, and, if so, whether the American relatives of the birds 

 here mentioned are akin to them in their tastes. 



Trenton, N.J. H. J. K. 



The Effects of the Winter. 



To the Editor of Garden and Forest : 



Sir,— Judgingfrom recentcorrespondence in yourjournal, the 

 past winter has had unusual effects upon trees and shrubs in 

 New England. It is certainly so with us. Here, in the Atlantic 

 provinces of Canada, we had very little snow in early winter, 

 and a late and dry spring. I expected to find grass-fields suffer- 

 ing from the exposure, but cannot see now that such is the 

 case to any unusual extent. In this town, however, and in 

 the immediate neighborhood, Raspberries of the hardiest va- 

 rieties have been winter-killed so badly that not one cane in a 

 hundred will show a blossom ; while hardy Roses-, usually 

 killed back for one-third or one-half their length, are com- 

 ing out better than I have .ever seen them in some twenty 

 years of observation. The only other remarkable thing noticed 



