Joseph Meehan, the celebrated horticulturist, in the 
Thanksgiving Number of Zhe Practical Farmer, 
writes as follows concerning ‘‘ Briar Crest:’’ 
OR many years Philadelphia was the chief seat of horticulture in this 
country. The fact that some of the earliest botanists and horticulturists 
8 made their home there and founded gardens in which to grow the trea- 
sures they collected, gave it prominence from thestart. Other cities have 
since followed in iis wake, and have beautiful gardens, but itis safe to say 
that the love for trees and plants which distinguished it of yore, has in no | 
way declined. Ofcourse, as the city grew it pu~hed large gardens further and 
further away from it, so that to-day the best examples of good gardening are | 
found some miles out along the numerous lines of railroads leading toit. The 
main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, has been noted fora long time for the 
beautiful places along it, even as far out as Frazer. It was my good fortune to 
visit in the early part of September the home of Wm. Henry Maule, one of Phila- 
delp.iia’s prominent seed merchants. His grounds are situated about one mi!e 
from Villa Noya, and are easily reached by a well macadamized road. At this | 
place Mr. Maule passes what time he has left after fulfilling the many ealls from 
home which his active business career exacts from him. A more beautiful site 
does not exist. The fine mansion oecup‘es the summit of a rapidly rising stretch 
of ground. Mr. Maule is one of many who believe in the beauty of a broad ex- 
panse of lawn, and almost seventeen acres have to be cut every week with the 
lawn mower. The most of the fine old trees, native to the place, have been left, 
when not interfering with the beauty of the whole. Some fine specimens of the 
sweet chestnut, shellbark hickory and red cedar, appear to great advantage in 
the foreground An immense white oak is qu te a feature of the place. In 
girth it cannot be less than twelve feet incircumference. Its spread of branclies 
overlaps a spring-house, from which water is foreed to supply the dwelling. 
Under the large trees named have been planted Azaleas, Rhododendrons and 
similar hardy plants, which, though thriving well enough in the sun, are the 
better for shade, because their flowers last longer when not exposed to the sun. 
Flower beds everywhere look well this year, and those on his place were no ex- 
ception. The larger and more prominent ones filled with leaf and flowering 
plants, such as seem indispensable whe e bright display is required, wee at 
their very best. Great care in arranging the colors to obtain the best contrasts 
were evident, while the plants themselves were in the best condition. A lar.e 
rock-work of white flint near the entrance to the mansion was filled with Cro- 
tons, Palms and various other tropical plants, which seem better suited than any 
others when near artificial work of any kind. Beside the fence along the public 
road which skirts the place, there extends a wide border, certainly more than 
500 feet long, planted with hardy shrubs and herbaceous plants. While formed 
to add attraction to the place, it is also for the purpose of testing the many kinds, 
to see which are the best for general cultivation. Among the many hundreds of 
kinds were noticed: Exochorda Grandiflora, Pavio Parviflora, variegated 
Althea, Spirea Thunbergi, and many of the more common, yet indispensable 
shrubs for home adornment. The Dahlias in this border were an especial 
feature. Mr. Maule has a faney for them, and rightly thinks them something 
every garden should contain; and he has a fine collection. A well-rounded 
flower is the type of perfection ina dahlia, and the many of this desciiption 
showed the collection to be a very good one. There are several specimens of the 
Japan Catalpa here ; while a rapid grower, it does not make such a large tree as 
the ordinary sort, and flowering earlier, it will be desirable or where a large tree 
is not wanted. At some distance from the house, yet not so far but what its 
beauty is in sight, are the trial-grounds for flowevs, fruits and vegetables. 
time of our visit seemed most opportune for witnessing a fine display. The 
immense field of flowers was a dazzling sight. Petunias, double and single, 
Zinnias, Cosmos Hybridus, Cockscomb, Alyssum, the various sorts of Dianthus, 
Phlox, Verbena, Convolvulus and every flower nee ling test was there. A very 
pretty flower is the Convolvulus Minor, tricolor, which was in full flower. <A 
strain of Phlox, called Star of Quedlinburg ,is well worthy ofmention. The petals 
run out to narrow points forming a many-pointed flower of singular beauty. 
There are many colors of them, just as there are of the common Phlox Drum- 
mondii, of which we took this to be a variety. 
A Nasturtium, called Cloth of Gold, prove: an excellent «ne for edgings to 
beds which require something of a greenish yellow color for contrast, which is 
what the foliage of this sort is. It flowers but seldom, so that the foliage 
alone is counted on for effect. Gladioli, Tuberoses, Cannas, the various 
sorts of Flowering Sage and similar plants, all come in for a share of testing | § 
on this place. It would certainly be within the truth to say that not less 
than a million plants were in bloom at the time of our visit. The manner of test- 
ing the kinds is carried out on a systematic basis. An office is attached to the 
trial gardens, in which books are kept, in which everything relating to the plant 
on trial is minutely recorded. It may be a new flower from Texas, a vegetable 
from Italy, a fruit from Persia, as we noticed all these names on the record books. 
The name and address of the person from whom the seed came is put down, the 
date of sowing, flowering, fruiting and so on, the percentage of good seeds and 
the comparative value of the article alonzside other well-known kinds, are all 
recorded. 
trial sarden, even the name of far-off Smyrna appearing on the book. Books of 
this kind should be kept by every gardener as well as by the seedsman who sup- 
plies the seeds. In the vegetable trial-ground we noticed a new beet. called 
Market Gardener’s Beet, which is claimed to be the best medium half-long kind, 
tender at all stages of growth. This shoud bea decided acquisit’on, as now-a- 
days gardeners make a late sowing, especially to get something fener for late 
Fall. The Bush Lima Bean, which the late Peter Henderson did so much to 
bring into notice, was here loaded down with pods. Tomatoesof all kinds were 
on trial, to prove which are the earliest and the best. The fruit garden was past 
its best at the time: raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and similar sorts 
being past their season. The Niagara grape here, as elsewhere, has proved to be 
The | 
All parts of the globe seemed to have contributed something to this | 
'@ $1.00 Plant Collections—page 94 
the best white one out. The Lady and even the old Martha ure perliaps sweeter *§ 
—too sweet to suit many tastes—but for general good qualities, Niagara proves & 
the best ofall. Climbing up the walls of the lodge at the entrance gates were a ® 
large number of Japan Ivy plants, Ampelopsis Veitchii, some of them in full 
vigor of fresh, green growth, while others were aiready showing the beginning 
of their bright Autumn colors. The common English Ivy was at home asa com- 
panion to it. Ifit would not mind the sun in Winter it would be largely used 
but when it freezes hard at night and then gets the rays of a hot sun onitat noon, 
it is too much forit Near these vines were Moon Flowers in rampant growth, 
covering a trellis, a position it is well suited for, To a lover of flowers a visit to 
these beautiful grounds will give unusual pleasure. 
ue of Mr. Wm. Henry Maule. It has been several years since the wriler 
visited this piace, and from the moment he entered through the gate 
of the main entrance he became enchanted. 
The lawn connected with “ Briar Crest’’ contains about 17 acres. Much eare 
has been given to this Jawn, which is dotted all over with handsome beds of 
flowers and tropical plants. On the main lawn we find a bed designed in shape 
ofa ten-point star. This bed is composed of Geraniums and Coleus. It contains 
500 Pilot Geraniums, 1200 Golden Bedder Coleus. It is certainly very handsome. 
At the lower entrance there is a pear-shaped bed of Verschaffelti Coleus. One of Cs} 
the most interesting features that met our view was a tropical led composed of § 
fine grasses and all kinds of tropical plants Another bed which deserves special 
mention is ove in the shape of a crescent. 
A bed at the main entrance, about 25 feet in diameter, containing 4800 plants, 
and composed of Echeveria and Alternantheras, with a Yucca in the centre, is 
very attractive. Opposite there is a large bed of Hydrangeas with a border of 
Geraniums, and Cloth of Gold Nasturtiums, mixed with Gladioli of various 
colors. Opposite the green-houses there is a large Mexican Cactus, about six # 
feet high, surrounded by a six-pointed star of Alternanthera and Echeyeria. To 
the left of the lodge there is a beautiful scroll, fifty feet in leneth. In the back- 
ground, the coach house is almost hidden with Cannas and Dahlias. Another 
bed on the main drive which is certuinly very handsomely designed in the 
shape of a heart, consists of Alternnntheras, Coleus and Cacti, numbering over 
2000 plants. On one side of this is a leaf of bright yellow Coleus, with dark 
border. On the other side is a spray of leaves composed of Alternantheras of 
old-gold color, with red stripes represeiting the rib of the leaves. 
The Rockery near the entrance to the mansion is certainly a very artistic 
piece of work. It is at least 10 feet high, and over 100 feet in circumference. It 
is made up of very fine specimens of Crotons, tropical plants and palms, sur- 
rounded by a border of dark colors. The rocks are of white flint. 
On the west side of the mansion there is an oval-shaped bed of mixed bright 
colors, which shows very prominently. All over the lawn can be found beds of 
unique design, each vieing with the other for supremacy. The lawn is kept in 
excellent condition, and has always the appearance of a velvet carpet. There 
have been planted recently about 1700 ornamental trees and shrubbery, which 
are arranged along the driveway and other portions of the lawn. A mixed 
border containing 1800 smaller plants has been set out along the shrubbery, 
an:l adds very materially to the effect. 
There are two large green-houses located near the main entrance. In the 
Winter all the choice plants and flowers are stored in these, and it must bean 
interesting sight to visit them when the chilling blasts have stripped all outside 
of its loveliness and beauty. The entire length of the lawn on the Spring Mill 
road has been planted with flowers of every description.—Bryn Mawr News. _ 
The Flowers at ‘‘ Briar Crest.’’ 
E recently paid a visit to *‘ Briar Crest,” located on the Gulf road, about 
one mile and a half from Bryn Mawr, and the beautiful country-seat 
Se MUy JO IGSL Loy snSopuzep yenwwy—“9IL 
aig 
tn Now that you have reached the end of my Seed Book for ’91, | would like, before 
you lay it aside, to call your attention to a few of my most striking specialties. @ 
HAWE YOU READ ABOUT 
Bi The Freeman Potato—page 61 
| Marguerite Carnation—page 73 
fi New Bush Lima—page 8 
iy The $1000 in Club Premiums—page 4 
by Mastodon Corn—page 65 
f the Practical Farmer—page 30 
@ The 1891 Cash Prizes—page 68 
| The Discounts on Seeds in Packets—page 4 
i The Colored Plate Specialties—pages 8, 48, 64, 
NS 65, 72, 73, 88, 96 and 97 
§ Three Heavy Weights—page |5 
s 4. Boss Cucumbers—page 27 
% The (314 pound Watermelon—page 38 
The Best of all Yellow Onions—page 41 
®@ The $1600 Strain of Tomatoes—page 56 
fs Surehead Cabbage—page !9 
‘* How to Make the Garden Pay’”—page 48 
§ The Coming Breed, Indian Games—page 113 
mM Japan Mammoth Chestnut—page IIO 
kj ABOVE ALL, that SPECIAL OFFER on back of 
ORDER SHEET enclosed in this book— 
IF NOT, | KNOW IT WILL PAY YOU TO DO SO 
116 
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