Stranica 202 [202]
THE UPPER JAMES
pride of the old Scotch gardener and his six slave assistants to
keep blooming with all the loveliest flowers; his peonies, lilacs, roses
and many others too numerous to mention made of it a riot of colour
through the seasons. Jhe lower part was devoted to fruits, there
being grapes, raspberries, gooseberries and other small fruits in
profusion. ‘he apples, cherries, pears and quinces kept the table
supplied, and in summer the slaves were kept busy preserving them
for winter use.
Though the ancient glories of the garden have departed, the
trees and shrubs have increased in beauty through the years, there
being at present some thirty varieties of trees surrounding the house.
In the winter the many shrubs and evergreens make of the place
a veritable “‘greenyard’’; the holly trees, of which there are twenty¬
three, being especially beautiful with their green foliage and red
berries.
Though the arbor-vitae hedge has long since gone, many
feathery cedars still drape the lawn with their graceful forms.
Through the years the old plantation has kept its grace and
dignity as one of the best of the old “before-the-war’’ homes.
BEVERLEY RANDOLPH KENNON.
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