66 
Thomas Weiss, son of Florist Thomas Weiss, who once had 
greenhouses upon Manheim Street near Pulaski Avenue. 
In the vicinity were the beautiful grounds and gardens of 
James E. Caldwell, Mrs. Sharp, Thomas Jones, and also 
those of Judge F. Carroll Brewster, whose wife was sister 
of Dr. William P. C. Barton, the author of "Compendium 
Florae Philadelphicae," published in 1818, — the first Flora 
of Philadelphia and its surrounding territory. 
Manheim Cricket Club now covers the grounds of 
"Caernarvon," once the home of Wister Price, and the one 
time delightful homestead is now the "Ladies' Club House." 
One who loves nature, and who knew the charms of this 
favored section, can hardly withstand a feeling of resent- 
ment, for while the "grassie grounde" is all around, there is 
much near that is offensively intrusive, and the quaint attrac- 
tions of flowers, and book, and leisure hour have gone 
forever. 
Here yet is the remains of a once notable tree, a Virgilia 
Lutea, a native American tree, but at this place first intro- 
duced to cultivation. The tree once had a diameter of four 
feet at six feet above the ground, and reached an elevation of 
46 feet. Its best days are now past, and it stands "fast bound 
in misery and iron." 
Upon Wissahickon Avenue, directly opposite Manheim 
Street, stands the residence of E. B. Gardette. We refer to 
it not on account of its gardens, and fine trees, but to state that 
in Philadelphia here was first shown the "love-apple," or 
tomato, — the plant originally being grown for decorative pur- 
poses, it being a member of the "Night Shade Family," and 
supposed to be deadly poisonous. At this same place it is 
also recorded, that melons or canteloupes were first in 
America grown, the seed being brought from Tripoli, by 
Commodore James Barron, who lived upon Main Street near 
Manheim Street. 
Across the fields from Gardette's may be seen upon 
Indian Queen Lane the stately front of "Carlton." It is a 
beautiful mansion, surrounded by spacious, well kept grounds, 
