I IO 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



August, 1906 



A Private Arboretum 



At Topsfield, Massachusetts 



By 



Mary H. Northend 



HE estate of Mr. Thomas E. Proctor, at 

 Topsfield, Mass., promises to become one 

 of the most interesting of the many estates 

 on the eastern coast. This estate, contain- 

 ing about four hundred acres, is being con- 

 verted into a private arboretum. The land 

 is of varied character, and may be divided into two areas. 

 The smaller and more important part consists of a small 

 rounded hill, originally owned by Governor Simon Brad- 

 street. Upon this hill is built an old mansion house, which 

 forms the residence of the owner when upon his estate. By 

 far the larger area, however, is occupied by marsh and wood- 

 land. The Ipswich River almost surrounds the hill, and 

 beyond this lie farm lands which have been added by pur- 

 chase to the original area. 



It is Mr. Proctor's intention to make of the estate a 

 private arboretum, containing all hardy, native and foreign 

 species of trees and shrubs, as well as many varieties that 

 have never yet withstood the severe northern climate. 



As a setting for this arboretum, extensive engineering feats 

 have been accomplished and are still in progress. Around the 



hill a circuit road has been constructed. This road crosses 

 an old roadway that leads from the two entrance gates at 

 the foot of the hall up the western slope to the house at the 

 top. The construction of the circuit road was started in 1902, 

 under the direction of Mr. A. L. Schoerbel. Considerable 

 grading was necessary and many native trees had to be cut 

 away. Besides the main circuit road, other drives, leading 

 to different parts of the estate, have been built. In time it is 

 hoped to extend these drives so they will encircle the estate 

 on its extreme outskirts. 



An important engineering feature still in progress is the 

 construction of a large pond upon the northern side of the 

 hill in the marshy land. This is to be densely planted about 

 the edges, and to be approached by a system of paths and 

 drives. Many footpaths, both in the open and woodland, 

 have been laid out in order to enable the visitor to better 

 inspect the specimens planted. 



Naturally one idea suggested another, and thus it is that 

 the construction of the woods is by no means finished. Never- 

 theless, enough has been decided so that the positions of the 

 different families of plants have been permanently located. 



The Porch at the Front of Simon Bradstreets House 

 Topsfield, Massachusetts 



Home of Simon Bradstreet, Governor of Massachusetts 1679-1686 

 Topsfield Massachusetts, Now Owned by a Descendant, Thomas E. Proctor, of Boston 



