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vegetables. Among his rare plants may be seen laurus, 
oleas, neriums of several varieties from China; Jasminums, 
Hallerias, Punicas, — among which is the pleno-alba; some 
fine camellias, — mostly imported from Canton. The glass 
consists of a green-house 90 feet long, two pits 60 feet, 
besides framing for early cauliflowers, etc. This place excels 
the neighborhood in the production of the blooming 
Ranunculus. They appear to agree with an elevated situa- 
tion in this climate. The root is subject to injury from a 
small white worm. 
"The tea rose flourishes in a superior manner here. 
Cultivated in frames, it grows as large as any other rose 
bush in the garden. We saw some covered with flowers, the 
odoriferous perfume of which is very delightful. Mr. 
Clapier possesses, perhaps, the greatest variety of pear trees 
of any private gentleman hereabouts (except Mr. Girard), 
many of which he has imported from France. It is almost 
useless to say that the garden and grounds are in complete 
order, and stocked with every kind of vegetable and shrub. 
Everyone who knows the proprietor and reputation of the 
place will take that for granted. Tropical fruits and flower- 
ing trees surround the mansion and display the richness and 
variety of flora to the best advantage." 
This is a description of "Fern Hill" as conducted under 
the direction of Martin Baumann, and at it, the standard of 
excellence first established, has always been maintained. The 
estate originally extended from Pulaski Avenue, or "Plank 
Road," to Wissahickon Avenue, or Lamb Tavern Road, and 
from Abbotsford Avenue, to Nicetown Lane, or Ford Road. 
Its owner was Louis Clapier, who was born in France in the 
year 1765, came to America in the year 1796, and died in 
the year 1838. 
Townsend Ward records that besides "a fondness for 
raising fat cattle, he had an equal passion for fruits and 
flowers, and no visitor left him without a basket of flowers, 
or of grapes, should they be in season." At Fern Hill, Louis 
