Oldal 577 [577]
SL seszszzas ON
HISTORIC GARDENS (OF VIRGINIA
directly in front of the house had a walk through the center and
large elm trees on either side of the driveway around it.
The dwelling, a large rambling frame structure, seemed to have
been designed for comfort rather than architectural beauty. It
was surrounded with wonderful old trees—elm, maple and walnut.
Most conspicuous of all, however, at Carpet Hill, were the beau¬
tiful grounds which comprise four acres, including lawns and flower
garden, in addition to a large acreage in vegetable garden, orchards
and meadow land. On two sides of the lawn was a hedge of purple
lilac, which was beautiful and fragrant when covered with its count¬
less spring blossoms, but decorative for two seasons with its com¬
pact foliage. ‘he flower garden to the right of the house was out¬
lined with boxwood about thirty inches high. [he borders were
filled with hyacinths, pinks, snapdragons, hollyhocks, a wealth of
yellow day lilies, and many other old-fashioned flowers. Outside
the large circle were beds of lilies of the valley, and two smaller
circles of roses. Sweet violets formed a carpet underneath the
trees near the garden, and many spring bulbs bloomed under still
other trees.
Some distance to the left were the orchards and the vegetable
garden. ‘he squares for the latter, each of which comprised one¬
third of an acre, were outlined by flower borders which showed a
profusion of bloom. Conspicuous among the flowers were holly¬
hocks, peonies and Harrison roses. Here, during the War Between
the States, the family silver service was buried for safe keeping.
Three crops of potatoes were raised over it before any one dared
unearth it!
The vegetable garden was oblong in shape and had grass walks
throughout. In the center was a large summer-house covered with
wistaria and trumpet vine, and some of the borders outlining the
squares were wide enough to have dwarf pear trees planted among
the peonies. Ihe orderly rows of currant and gooseberry bushes
were also here, as well as a huge strawberry bed and picturesque
grape arbor. The orchard proper was very large and contained
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