GARDENS OF THE FATE GENERAL WELD 
MARY H. NORTHEND 
Up the slope, along the face of 
rocks hung with Ferns and 
countless rock plants, trails this 
path, through masses of Eng- 
lish Violets and Primroses 
Through a glen so rugged that 
safety railings are a wise provi- 
sion against too precipitate 
intimacy with the Trilliums, 
Poet’s Narcissus, many varie- 
ties of Primrose, Galax, Leuco- 
thoe, Evonymous, Iris and 
Ferns, come the waters, leaping 
and tumbling 
it seems, there was a valley — one of those minor glacial 
ravines with sloping sides, not so very high but in places 
rocky and steep. And up among the hills at the back of the 
estate was a twenty-five acre meadow, while among the 
¥ ■ £ ¥ 1 DDEN from the outside world, completely, are the beau- 
ties of this estate of the late Gen. Stephen M. Weld, at 
J[‘ t?\ JL Dedham, Mass., a large portion of which is one of the most 
c&Vffite striking examples extant of that art which conceals art. 
Into nooks and corners all over the extensive grounds too, it creeps, 
so that everywhere are unexpected effects so cunningly contrived 
that the flowers seem to have been there since the world began. 
Yet it is material gathered from all quarters of the globe and blended 
with native varieties; and thus the groups are studies in botany as 
well as finished pictures. 
The site of much of the present gardens was simply rough pas- 
ture land; but Gen. Weld saw, in the general “lav” of these fields, 
possibilities which would develop most interesting and unusual 
pleasure grounds — and this development became his recreation. 
Of the little spring garden, situated on gently sloping land, cir- 
cular in shape and hedged and secluded by a closely clipped Hemlock 
wall of living green, it is enough to say that over its rustic entrance 
climb American Pillar Roses, and around its central sun-dial are 
circular beds filled with Pansies and Tulips. It is planned entirely 
for spring and early summer effect, even to the Lilacs which rein- 
force the perennials in its border — the latter being Peonies, early 
Phlox and Foxgloves. 
But the rock garden and cascades are not to be dealt with so 
briefly ; for these are most unusual. In the wood beyond the house, 
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