Stranica 175 [175]
Historic GARDENS: OF -<VIRGINIA
——
five yards from the rear porch lies the garden, with its box-hedge
on the north, and the long central walk bordered on either side
with box, syringa and pink and red cydonia japonica (pyrus
japonica), with an intermingling of roses, jonquils and violets. In
winter, when the snow falls, the box-bushes look like huge frosted
cakes, and in summer the syringas, with their graceful sweeping
sprays of lovely white bloom, remind one of beautiful brides.
The plan of this apparently simple old garden is found to be
quite symmetrical and satisfactory, especially if considered as it
was originally and in its relation to the "Great House" and other
buildings, as well as to the general layout of the place.
The garden formed a part of a well-considered plan of the
grounds in the rear of the house, and there were flanking clumps
of tree-box between the house and the garden hedge. The garden
contained full half an acre and was, and is, divided in half by the
box-bordered main walk. Originally each half was sub-divided by
cross-walks into four equal squares. The cultivation of these
squares was done with spading forks. It was only after the War
Between the States that a plow was allowed to enter. [That marked
the end of the sod walks, which, by the way, stalled the plow,
until the grubbing hoe was used to loosen the matted grass-roots.
Formerly, a hedge of althea marked and helped to form the eastern
boundary, but it has now been supplanted by severely practical
wire mesh.
On this side is the grape trellis, extending the full length of
the garden. Then come the red raspberries, strawberries, and, in
their order, vegetables for all seasons; for this delightful old garden
is a charming combination of utility and beauty. On the south side
of the boxwood hedge, and protected by it, are the hot-beds and
cold-frames for lettuce, tomatoes, and all early vegetables.
In the asparagus bed of this garden, during the War Between
the States, some of the family silver was buried and successfully
preserved from the temptation of “the enemy,” and is still in daily
use in the old house.
[106]