August, 1906 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



1 1 1 



These various roads, paths and ponds will 

 give to the trees and shrubs an ideal setting 

 and provide localities suitable to all classes 

 of plants. 



By the fall of 1902 Mr. Proctor had de- 

 termined to establish an arboretum, and 

 work along the line was begun. It was 

 decided to plant the species in botanical 

 sequence of Professor Koehne's Dendro- 

 logie. During the winter a catalogue was 

 issued containing over three thousand dif- 

 ferent species arranged in the order to be 

 planted. In the following spring work 

 could not be carried out with speed enough 

 permanently to set out the plants upon their 

 arrival, so that nine stations were estab- 

 lished at intervals about the hill. In these 

 nurseries the plants were arranged in proper 

 sequence in order that they could easily be 

 removed to their final position. Work was 

 further complicated, as specimens of the 

 same varieties were purchased from differ- 

 ent nurseries and countries better to test 

 their adaptability to soil and climate. The 

 scientific and botanical work has been directed by 

 John G. Jack. 



In the spring of 1904 permanent planting was begun in 

 earnest, and in botanical order. It was found, however, that 

 the scheme had to be partly abandoned in order to procure 

 better location for the plants and more effective landscape 

 results. Nevertheless, the families are kept near together, 

 although groups of trees may at times occupy positions be- 



On the Crest of a Knoll, Covered with Trees, has been Erected a Rustic Summer House 

 Planted Around are Aristolschias and Different Ivy Species 



Mr. 



longing to lower growing species if the effect is thereby im- 

 proved. The families follow nearly in sequence along the 

 circuit road, but are in some cases extended into the swamps, 

 or up the hill toward the house. 



We may enter the estate by the stone gateways upon the 

 western side of the hill and drive for a short distance on the 

 old farm road to the circuit road at about one hundred feet 

 from the gates. At this point begin the botanical groups of 



A Glimpse of the Ipswich River and Islands from Mr. T. E. Proctor's Place, Topsfield, Massachusetts 



