168 



The Garden Magazine, December, 1919 



from one flight of steps to the next, was originally covered by 

 a grape arbor and summer-house with seats along each side— 

 which beguiled to loitering to sniff the delectable aromatic 

 odors arising from the herb garden just beyond. But this ar- 

 bor long ago fell into complete ruin and was taken away. A 

 grape trellis still extends all along the southern side of the 

 path, however, and it is the intention of the garden committee 

 to restore the arbor eventually. Along the edge of this ter- 

 race is a long bed of flag Iris under the pear trees, and next 

 to this a raised grass plot in full sunshine which is bordered by 

 Persian Lilacs with Peonies and Iris growing attheirfeet. The 

 centre of this plot is the place where a sundial ought to be 

 but so far as known there was never a sundial in the garden! 

 On the other side of the path, next the herb garden, are goose- 

 berry bushes; and just beyond them a magnificent great 

 cherry tree, at the base of the terrace. 



Up the old grass steps we go to the third level. And here, 

 directly at the top of the steps, is the old damask Rose always 

 known as "grandmother's rose bush" — the chief treasure 

 and pride of the garden. It is known to have been there 

 since the garden was first planted, and seven generations of 

 brides have taken slips from it to their new homes. As if in 

 response to the romance and sentiment which cluster around 

 it, it blossoms as freely and beautifully now as it ever could 

 have blossomed in its youth — a living pledge shall we say to 

 the eternity of love and life? 



THE flower beds upon each side of the path here are in 

 plain sight from the chamber windows of the house, and 

 are therefore kept gay and bright with annuals chiefly — 

 Poppies and Marigolds, Zinnias and Four-o'clocks — though 

 there are some Peonies, Phlox, and Iris, and a border of 

 stately Yuccas along the edge of the terrace. The path, and 

 the land on its right ascending, are level from here to the gar- 

 den's limit, but all the plot opposite is raised seven or eight 

 feet by a grassy bank. And here upon this fourth level, in 

 full air and sunshine, yet unseen from the house, is the old 

 kitchen garden, a plot about 80 x 50 feet in size. Fruit 

 trees grow here, too, on both sides of the path — fine old peach 

 trees, pears, plums, and cherries. 



Sloping toward the east as it does and being so sheltered 

 on every side, the garden is a wonderful place indeed for 

 fruit or roses or tender shrubs to flourish. In former days 

 the gardener's cottage was situated in the northwest corner 

 facing High Street, in an irregular plot now cut away from 

 the original lot; and in a similar irregularity on the south 

 was another cottage for servants. Both these parcels 

 of land passed from the possession of the family some 

 time ago however. And so only a high fence and a 

 Lilac hedge all along the High Street boundary mark the end 

 of the garden — and my story! But the latch-string of the 

 garden gate is always out and a welcome awaits all true 

 garden lovers who desire to enter. 



A WINDING PATH CIRCLES THE SUN-DAPPLED LAWN WHERE THE BEES DWELT 

 Starting from the garden door at the foot of the great staircase it leads past the office and finally comes back to the old arbor which stands 

 curiously on the slope of the first terrace, with which the garden proper begins. The trees furnish fruit as well as shade according to the prudent 

 custom of the time, and the opulence of the Spirea, beneath which the Lilac spread a blue carpet, and of the Iris and Peonies is eloquent of their age 



