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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 twentythree, 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. [123 ]
