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EXCELSIOR 
VIKVV ii\ THE (iKOUiNDS OF Mii8. EDWIN 8TEVEMfc>, iHO-BOICKISr, NEW JIEKSiE\ 
[DRAWN AND ENGRAVED EXPRESSLY FOR MOORE'S RURAL NEW-YORKER.) 
FOR THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, AUGUST ZD, 1871. 
1 Entered according to Act ol Congress, in the year 1ST1, by D. D. T. MOOltB. io tho ollice of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.] 
lititbscapc ©arbening. 
THE STEVENS CONSERVATORY. 
It is far too generally supposed that we 
have really no suburban residences in this 
country that will compare at all favorably 
with those of European cities. It is true 
that rural adornments have not been studied 
as thoroughly here as abroad, neither do our 
wealthy citizens as a class care to spend 
very large sums upon ornamenting their 
grounds; stiil there are many notable ex¬ 
ceptions, and these should not ho overlooked, 
for it is to the wealthy that we must look 
for encouragement of art, whether it he in 
gardening or elsewhere, It cannot be ex¬ 
pected that that those who are in moderator 
circumstances can make so elaborate a dis¬ 
play upon their grounds as those who have 
plenty of means; still they can do some¬ 
thing, and if the whole cannot he copied, 
then a small section can be taken as a 
model and this worked up to perfection. 
We give the accompanying illustration of 
a view in the grounds of Airs. Edwin Ste¬ 
vens, Hoboken, N. J., as a splendid model for 
those who have a suitable location for intro¬ 
ducing a conservatory into rural situations. 
Of course this bouse is a very expensive one, 
and the arrangement of the surrounding 
grounds with walks, terraces and statuary, 
has cost more than u majority of our read¬ 
ers could afford, but the model and lesson is 
here, and as little or much of it can he cop¬ 
ied or learned as one’s means will permit. 
r l'b is conservatory is one of the finest speci¬ 
mens of garden architecture to he found 
near our city. Its location has also some¬ 
thing to do in producing the fine effect, it 
being placed against a high bluff, covered 
with trees, this forming a splendid back 
ground, and in the foreground a terrace 
slopes down ten to fifteen feet to a level pla¬ 
teau, where there are various flower beds 
filled with choice plants, the whole sur¬ 
rounded by large old trees, planted nt least 
half a century ago. 
The original estate of the late Edwin 
Stevens lias been encroached upon by the 
city of Hoboken until there is only about 
thirty acres left, unoccupied bv streets and 
buildings; but this portion is probably safe 
from further inroads of the kind, as it is a 
hold promontory jutting out into the North 
River and not in the line of city improve¬ 
ments. From just above the conservatory 
there is a large plateau of several acres cov¬ 
ered with grand old trees, in the midst of 
which stands the Slovens Mansion, over¬ 
looking New York City, Staten Island, the 
Narrows, aud surrounding country. Thorn 
arc also two large cold graperies upon tiie.se 
grounds—one a modern structure with all 
the modern improvements, such us curvili¬ 
near roofs, Ate. There are many choice 
plants in these grounds <o which we shall 
take occasion to refer at some future, time. 
It is but justice to say that Mr. A. Al. Hen¬ 
ning, the gardener who lias charge of the 
place, is a man of experience in such mat¬ 
ters, and uses it to the best ad vantage. 
•—-♦-*-*- 
LAWN GRASS. 
I would like you to tell me the name of 
the grass seed used for lawns. I suppose 
it is obtainable nt nil seed stores, but at what 
price, and Imw much is needed per acre. 
Is it anything like “Timothy’’ or “Red- 
Top,’’ or is it entirely distinct from either? 
— II, E, L., Branchport. N, Y, 
Seedmen sell a mixture of various species 
of grasses under the name of lawn grass. 
Timothy is loo coarse for lawns: but red top 
and Kentucky blue grass mixed will make 
an excellent sward. The quantity required 
per acre depends somewhat, upon the quality 
of seed. If the blue grass is cleaned from 
UK- chaff four quarts is sufficient; if not 
clean apply a larger quantity. Sow a bushel 
of red-top in addition, as this seed is always 
sold in the chaff, and is both light and cheap. 
\V« usually add a little white clover, say two 
pounds per acre; this is not necessary or ad¬ 
visable, however, if the soil is rich. 
ERRORS IN GROUPING. 
At least one person in three of those who 
plant trees in groups or bells for ornamental 
purposes commit errors in consequence of 
not taking “ one long look abend.’’ Proba¬ 
bly in many instances mistakes are made in 
consequence of the ignorance of the parties 
directing the planting of the trees, as they 
judge of the future size from the specimens 
in band, the largest being selected for center 
of groups or back ground of belts. A few 
years, however, is only required to develop 
and show errors, and the tall, slim arbor vine 
or Irish Juniper of to-day is soon overtopped 
by the stocky Norway or Hemlock spruce. 
Even in the first plantings in the New York 
Central Park many such blunders wore com¬ 
mitted, although 800u rectified, and the same 
thing is constantly occurring, not only in 
public, but private grounds, in all parts of the 
country. 
Planting ornamental trees is a work re¬ 
quiring some forethought, as it. is not alto¬ 
gether for the present, immediate effect that, 
it is done, but for limy far distant, and one 
needs to have the future form, size and gen¬ 
eral appearance of the trees in his “ mind’s 
eye at the beginning, If he would avoid 
making blunders that never eTtii be correct¬ 
ed. It. requires a practical and intimate ac¬ 
quaintance with all the trees used ill form¬ 
ing groups, not only ns they appear in their 
native forest, ns well ns when cultivated, for 
some show the effects of culture differently 
limn other*’ 
Minowre-. « 4 KII YEAR. 
TERWIw. -ijiinKle An.. Eight C« 
NEW YORK CITY AND ROCHESTER, N. Y. 
WHOLE NO. If ZD. 
(OL. XXIY. NO. 8. 
nV'T’Tr'-rva .f ® IleeUmnn Ht., New York. 
UuUnlo Hi., llocliratrr. 
