BEAUTIFUL GARDENS IN AMERICA 
in summer-time. In the old days the property was known 
as Sequin and belonged to relatives of Sir Thomas Gates 
of the same name. Upon this land in 1619 were operated 
the first iron- works in the country. 
Characteristic of the gardens of the older period is the 
lovely view of the garden on the Valentine place over- 
grown and ripe as only a garden can be that has lived 
through the years; unpretentious, yet richer in that mel- 
lowed growth than the most costly planting of modern 
date. 
In Virginia, mountains cover a part of the State, and 
the temperature necessarily varies according to locality. 
The climate, at least of Albemarle County, brings out 
the Crocuses in February or early March; winter Jessa- 
mine in early February, sometimes January; Daffodils in 
mid-March; Lily-of-the- Valley and Cottage Tulip early 
in April; German Iris in mid- April. Roses and Sweet 
William appear in early May; Delphinium in late May; 
Hollyhocks in early June; Phlox, July 1. And thus before 
midsummer’s heat many of the best hardy perennials have 
come and gone. While summer bloom in the highlands is 
not necessarily destroyed by hot weather, unless unusual 
drought occurs, yet the autumn garden is apt to be a more 
refreshing sight with its fresh crop of Roses, the late 
Chrysanthemum, Cosmos, and indefatigable Zinnia. Of 
course to the south, and where altitude is lacking, the 
somewhat higher temperature will more or less alter these 
garden dates. 
221 
