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BG EG OLD SALT o VELE NEVY May’’) separating this lawn from the flower garden. To the east were the rosebushes, with a famous old microphylla known far and wide, the flowering shrubs, pyrus japonica, calycanthus, crepe myrtle, bridal wreath and mock orange, lilac and snowball, then the bowknots of flowers as they came in season—tulips, hyacinths, lilies of the valley, pinks, heartsease (the name pansy was not the name in those days for these old favorites), ageratum, verbenas, geraniums, heliotrope, mignonette, etc.—flowers, old-fashioned, simple, true, like everything else here. In the centre of each knot, stood a stately evergreen, the boxedged grass walks radiating from it; each flower border, too, having a narrow grass walk around it, bordered each side by the box. The rare cactus, lemon trees, cape jessamine, Japonicas or camelias of such waxen beauty, from the greenhouses, were massed around the porches of the house in summer; but in the garden itself there were no forced flowers or shrubs—none not indigenous to the place, and consequently everything grew luxuriantly. Then another hedge, six feet high, four feet wide—but this was of althea—often said in old Virginia to be the "Rose of Sharon." Beyond this hedge were the vegetable plots, grass walks running across, gravel walks running lengthwise, bordered with currants, gooseberries and raspberries, with stately apple and damson trees marching along. To the east wall of the garden grew the ravishing fig bushes—the delight of all, young and old. As Main Street was neared, a part of the garden was latticed off for the stable, yards, etc., while the fruit trees and vegetables held sway on one side full to the street. If to live in the memory of our friends is not to die, then the gracious owners of this home live on—for their personality, their delightful hospitality, the dignified simple luxury of their home and garden, will never be forgotten by any who knew them. Inter folias fructus. Mary MASon ANDERSON WILLIAMS. [89 |
