February, 1909 ANU NN  T1OMES AND GARDENS 71 
In many alluring spots “unhindered na- 
ture’ has accomplished all that could be 
desired. In other places, where it has been 
necessary to remove briers and under- 
brush, some fascinating glimpse of an old 
world garden has been introduced. Al- 
though architecture and garden craft have 
worked wonders in some of the open 
spaces, it is the succession of garden sur- 
prises, discovered in secluded sections, that 
appeal most strongly to the imagination 
and tempt one to explore every foot of 
the magic woods. 
Fortunate is the visitor to this beautiful 
country seat who on his first visit to the 
woodland gardens is charmed with the 
sight of an ox-team slowly wending its way 
from one of the woods-roads, a genuine 
old-fashioned country cart drawn by two 
plump, well-groomed oxen and driven by 
a sunny-faced Scotchman who beams good- 
will on all visitors as they admire his 
charges. Not only are these splendidly de- 
veloped specimens of cattledom the par- 
ticular pride and delight of the owner and 
also of all the employees of the estate, but 
neighboring property owners declare them 
the finest team in Delaware County, and 
the appreciative garden craftsman must 
admit that this old-time country acquisi- 
tion provides additional charm for the 
woodland that could be secured in no other 
manner so effectively. 
On the right of the drive, on entering 
the woods-road, is a broad lake fed by a 
woodland spring; and the water reflects 
the native growths—wild flowers and bog 
plants along its margins, with the aquatics 
natural to the locality ornamenting its sur- 
face. Any attempt at artificial water 
gardening would have completely spoiled 
the effect, but the natural woods lake holds 
a charm of its own; and where the stream 
which feeds it passes beneath the roadway, 
a simple and artistic bridge of rustic work 
has been constructed. To the right of the 
lake is “The Abbey,” fittingly named from 
its picturesque seclusion among the trees, 
and presenting an ideal spot for retirement 
and meditation. This one feature of the 
wood is a study in itself, in showing what 
may be done in transforming the rusticity 
of ancestral springhouses or icehouses on 
the home grounds into cool and inviting 
summer houses, with rustic-railed porches 
and comfortable lounging places. 
A glimpse of “The Rockery,” with its 
Japanese lantern and its wild gardening, 
next confronts the visitor threading his way 
through the woodland walk; and a rustic 
spring just beyond is reached by log stairs, 
with a comfortable bench for resting beside 
the cooling waters. “The Crow’s Nest” is 
well named, as it is not merely a tree seat 
reached by a single flight of rustic stairs, 
but a succession of “nests” or landing 
places supported by fine old forest trees, 
and presenting attractive vistas through the 
trees with every turn; when the broad 
landing—the real tree room—is reached A real bit of old Japan in the woods 
