Stranica 429 [429]
OCR
Historic: GARDENS (OF -VIRGINIA — —= —_——————E—_—>————__y—xqx—x===E ezaz ——_—__—— SE 8 eT Nemi small. - aes =————= zett Hill is still called " larletons Wood, for it was here that his men encamped while waiting for their leader. How long the old garden at Castle Hill has been in existence it would be difficult to say, but probably somewhere between the granting of the land in 1727 and the completion of the present house in 1765. It has no intricate plan, no winding walks. It is simply a great square, bounded on the north side by a high brick wall against which stand fig bushes, and enclosed on the other three . sides by a Colonial arrowhead picket-fence. The garden lies in four deep terraces. At the top stands one of the great box-hedges, for which Castle Hill is famous. The highest terrace, where one enters the garden through an arch in the hedge, and down a flight of old brick steps sunk deep in the bank, is devoted entirely to flowers. here are the old garden shrubs and flowers, some so old that their names are now almost forgotten. [he borders are a tangle of lovely color, and the air is filled with a penetrating sweetness that goes to one’s head like wine. Leaving the upper terrace by more old steps, deep set in the terrace side, a broad turf walk leads down to the second and down more steps to the third level, and so to the lowest terrace of all. The great square beds on each side of the walk are bordered by fruit trees, and grass paths lead everywhere around the terraces. Beginning on the second level, a grape arbor stretches over the broad turf walk, and as one passes down from terrace to terrace, one sees the orderly rows of vegetables stretching away on either side, for the Castle Hill garden is not only beautiful and full of old world charm, but it is noted throughout the countryside as the best vegetable garden. No changes have been made since it was first laid out by Dr. Thomas Walker, of Indian fame. In Colonial days, he was Major and Quartermaster-General of the Colonial forces in Virginia, Member of the House of Burgesses, and the Committee of Safety. In this garden have walked many famous men—Wash| 266 |
