38 
Clapier was succeeded by Henry Pratt McKean, whose 
descendants yet hold it. 
West of "Fern Hill" and directly opposite it is "Devon- 
shire Place" once the country residence of George Blight. 
The view from this place was but little inferior to that of 
its neighbor, and the productions of its stables and gardens 
were widely and favorably known. In 1830, the Pennsyl- 
vania Horticultural Society reported its "Kitchen garden in 
good order and contains V/z acres. In it is a fine bed of 
Crambe Maritima, or Sea-Kail. We observed a large 
plant of Cycas Revoluta, or Sago Palm, that had been kept 
in the cellar in winter, and looked as healthy as if it had 
been sheltered in a green house, being free from the scaly 
insect that so often preys upon it. A noble old chestnut 
stands on the avenue, that measures 24 feet in circumfer- 
ence." 
Dr. Samuel Betton of "White Cottage," situated upon 
Bockius Lane or Manheim Street, as early as 1830, had a 
collection of plants of sufficient merit to receive the commend- 
ation of Robert Buist, the well-known plant grower of 
"Pratt's Garden" at Lemon Hill. Upon a visit in the year 
given, he wrote: "We observed a plant of Nandina domestica 
in full flower — it is the largest we have seen. Here is like- 
wise a plant of andropogon schaenanthus, which the doctor 
says makes a very delicious tea; an uncommonly large plant 
of Laegerstraemia Indica, that stands the open air; some 
very fine China Orange trees, and several other valuable 
plants. The greenhouse is 40 ft.; a pit 36 ft.; besides fram- 
ing. The kitchen garden contains one acre, which is 
judiciously cropt, and well stocked with fruit trees, among 
the latter is a very rich cream colored plum, streaked on the 
part exposed to the sun and transparent; it is said to be a 
seedling, and of a rich flavor. A pear orchard of consider- 
able extent is just beginning to bear, and contains 150 
varieties. It bids fair to rival some of the old orchards." 
Another great garden was that established by George 
W. Carpenter, at "Phil-Ellena" in the year 1838. The 
