LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK 
In considering the gardens belonging to the State of 
New York, its most favored garden centre is undoubtedly 
Long Island. Here soil and climate combine to encourage 
both vegetables and flowers. And on the shores, particu- 
larly of the south side and eastern end, the most satisfac- 
tory bloom is obtainable as a rule with less trouble than is 
expended upon the flowers of the interior. Not that Long 
Island is secure from periods of drought and visitations of 
rose-bugs, but on the whole the plants weather the obstacles 
better here than in other places of this latitude. There is a 
marked softness in the winter climate especially near the sea. 
Possibly nowhere else except in southern California does 
the Privet hedge make as remarkable growth as on the 
south shore, and near the west end there are highly prized 
specimens of old Box. Southampton, at the eastern end, 
in proportion to population has probably a greater number 
of gardens than any town in the State, almost all of them 
designed and developed by their owners, who have thus 
delightfully expressed their love for flowers. 
Most soul-satisfying, unique in many points, and over- 
flowing with bloom all summer is Mrs. Wvckoff’s garden 
at Southampton. Within three hundred yards of the 
beach it is truly a seaside garden, but the great Privet 
hedges, fourteen feet high, make perfect windbreaks for 
the protection of its bloom. Connected by arched open- 
ings in the Privet there are other enclosures for various 
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