I 12 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



August, 1906 



The Water Drain and Rockery Surroundings, Planted with Vitex, Lavender 

 French Mulberry, Callicarpa and Salvia 



plants. If we turn to the right we find ourselves in the 

 midst of the maple belt. The moisture loving varieties ex- 

 tend from the circuit road toward the swamps, while those 

 suited to drier soil are planted upon the upper or left hand 

 side of the road. In this genus are to be found rare kinds 

 from Japan and the Balkans, as well as many other species, 

 including all common varieties. The small and beautiful maples 

 are planted close to the roadside. The maple groups near 

 the swamps are backed by a natural growth of maples, hick- 

 ories, and elms, which give a fine setting to the younger trees. 



The box family comes next, shaded by two large red ash 

 trees. Some very tender forms of box are here being tested 

 to the climatic conditions of Massachusetts. 



From the driveway, at the point, an open and extended 

 view is obtained through a break in the fringe of natural 

 woods, across the Ipswich River, its islands and marshes, 

 to the rolling hills far in the purple distance. 



Sumacs were planted after the maples 

 and box, and occupy both sides of the road. 

 They are, however, equally well suited to a 

 steep place in the hillside above the road, 

 and are here set off by a framing of the 

 Tree of Heaven Ailanthus glandulous, and 

 others of its family. Across the road from 

 the latter group is built one of the rockeries 

 that serve as outlet for the drains that arc 

 laid under the road. Steps lead through 

 the rockery to one of the many paths which 

 extend in every direction to give better ac- 

 cess to the plantations. Sumacs of rare 

 forms, as well as our native varieties, are 

 to be found in the sumac belt. 



Euonymus is placed next the sumac, al- 

 though other species, as Cedrella, Straphy- 

 lea and Sophora, are tucked between and 

 almost reach the edge of the swamp. A 

 fine location is offered here for those of the 

 Euonymus family that like moisture, while 

 the kinds suited to more open soil are 

 placed on the higher ground. 



The pulse family is located behind the 

 I'.uonymus and extends nearly to the hill- 



top. A fine group of old locust trees, Ro- 

 bina pseudacacia, happens to be growing at 

 this point, and furnishes a most fitting 

 center for the group of younger forms of 

 the same family that are planted about 

 these trees. Honey locust, Gleditschia 

 triacanthos, and the Redbud or Judas tree, 

 Cerc'is Canadensis, here find their proper 

 place. Near this group a small undulating 

 hollow has been cleverly made of what was 

 an irregular and unsightly piece of ground. 

 By walking along the path that lies 

 through this, we meet more of the pulse 

 family, as well as silver bell trees, Hali- 

 modendron Lespedezas and Laburnum, and 

 of plane trees, Platanus orientalis, for a 

 background. New Jersey tea, Ceanothus 

 A in er'u anus, has been planted as a ground 

 cover under the plane trees. Across the 

 road from the pulse family is the currant, 

 or Ribes group, while Deutzias and Hy- 

 drangeas extend beyond to the swamps. 

 Along the border of the swamps the Mock 

 Orange, or Philadelphia, and Liquidambar 

 are planted. 



To return to the circuit road and follow 

 along from the currants, we meet barberries of all sorts and 

 varieties. Many rare and strange forms are to be found. 

 These lie, for the most part, on the lower side of the road 

 among rockeries and backed by natural woodlands, as are the 

 maples. Clematis of many kinds, both climbing and her- 

 baceous, has been planted near the barberry, and in the woods, 

 back of the trees. The low and evergreen kinds of barberry 

 have been prominently placed along the road and in the 

 rockeries; the heavy character of the stonework gives just 

 the right setting for these varieties. Across the road yellow 

 root, zanthorrhiza, forms an edging with sassafras trees be- 

 hind. Close to these trees starts the magnolia group, filling 

 both sides of the road. The tender varieties have been 

 planted in the shelter of the swamp and woodlands, while 

 the more enduring, as well as larger kinds, are planted up the 

 hillside and approach a background of pines, which in time 

 will serve as a protection as well as producing a fine bit of 



A Rockery, Showing the Lycium Family as Ground Cover 



