48 
[Ft mi I: ..EY, 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
A COUNTRY RESIDENCE— Homestead of the Publisher—Flushing, Long Island, (N. Y.) 
As it is customary to give in this journal, from 
time to time, sketches and somewhat minute de¬ 
scriptions of various kinds of dwellings, which 
may be suggestive in plan or mode of construc¬ 
tion to tiiose contemplating building, we have 
thought it not out of place to insert here the ac¬ 
companying engravings, which were recently 
presented to the Agriculturist as a “ New-Year’s 
Gift.” And as so beautiful a gift demands from us 
at least a fitting acknowledgment, we may be al¬ 
lowed to say here, that nougn we employ a num¬ 
ber of different artists, yet whenever we have re¬ 
quired an engraving done promptly, and in the 
best style, we have usually gone to the well known 
establishment of Messrs. N. Orr & Co., (Nathan¬ 
iel Orr& S. M. Wood,) 52 John-st. The drawings 
were executed by Mr. Charles Gildemeister, 
the successful designer and architect of the 
Crystal Palace. 
We might add here, that our thanks are also due 
to the readers of the Agriculturist, for, after long 
devoting our entire time, energy, and substance, to 
the firm establishment, and the elevation of the 
character of this journal, the generous patronage 
and the kind efforts to extend its circulation by 
its older friends and supporters, have at length 
placed it in such an independent position that we 
have felt warranted in securing a pleasant home, 
to which we can look forward as a permanent 
abiding place for ourselves and our children. By 
so much, therefore, our subscribers have a person¬ 
al interest in this dwelling. We are happy to say 
that we have ample grounds for experimental 
cultivation, and for raising choice seeds, etc., 
which will be annually shared by our readers 
through our seed distribution. 
When we recall the rude but cherished log 
dwelling in the western woods where we were 
born, and the subsequently cleared up farm on 
which we received our primary agricultural edu¬ 
cation, and then look around upon the beautiful 
trees, and plants, and flowers, that in their season 
cluster about our present home, we can but be 
thankful that “ the lines have fallen to us in 
pleasant places and we shall labor harder than 
ever to help develop these blessings—these de¬ 
sirable home adornments—around the rural dwel¬ 
lings of all our readers. 
The Location, in the town ofFlushing, Queens 
Co., L. I., is beyond the business and thickly set¬ 
tled portions of the village, but near enough to he 
convenient to schools, churches, etc. Flushing 
has attractions for the lovers of horticul¬ 
ture,not excelled by any other town in our country. 
Almost every dwelling, even to the humblest cot¬ 
tage, is more or less surrounded with flowers and 
shrubbery. This place has long been noted for its 
Nurseries—which are among the oldest in the 
country. We thought to refer to these particu¬ 
larly, but can do so only briefly. First, we may 
name the establishment of Parsons &, Co. Scat¬ 
tered over some 400 acres in different parts of the 
town, they have about 125 acres of fruit and orna¬ 
mental trees. If we mistake not, more attention 
is here given to the propagation of rare plants, 
and those difficult of cultivation, and especially 
of evergreens, than at any other establishment in 
the country. There are several propagating 
houses, and more than an acre of cold frames, 
for starting and protecting seeds and slips or 
cuttings of various trees. Ten large green-houses 
are devoted to cultivating a numberless variety of 
plants, including especially the rare orchids, ca¬ 
mellias, ericas, azaleas, etc. The visitor will be 
amply repaid for atrip here to see tbe thousands 
of plants gathered from all parts of the world. 
Second in importance may be named the Blood- 
good Nurseries of King & Ripley, some 75 acres, 
mainly devoted to hardy ornamental and fruit 
trees. Both of the above establishments are 
every way reliable. Third, we may name the 
Linnsean Nursery, which in former times, under 
the care of the two elder Princes, both now de¬ 
ceased,was the most noted, and only extensive 
nursery then in the country. Fourth, we may note 
the grounds of Daniel Higgins, who has some 40 
or 50 acres devoted to various nursery purposes, 
but principally to ornamental trees. Then there 
is the Nursery of Geo. D. Kimber, devoted also in 
part to ornamental trees. There are, besides, sev¬ 
eral persons who cultivate garden plants for sale. 
Altogether, we doubt if a more interesting variety 
of trees and plants can be found in the same 
