The MOUNT VERNON GARDENS

THE MOUNT VERNON LADIES' ASSOCIATION MOUNT VERNON, VIRGINIA —From a fire screen panel embroidered by Nelly Custis and probably worked at Mount Vernon By permission of the Most Reverend Henry St. George Tucker The Washington Family on the piazza at Mount Vernon,from the water-color of Benjamin H. Latrobe (1796) THE MOUNT VERNON GARDENS

With notes pertaining to the Domestic Life of George and Martha Washington

THE MOUNT VERNON LADIES' ASSOCIATION MOUNT VERNON, VIRGINIA Copyright, 1941, by THE MOUNT VERNON LADIES' ASSOCIATION OF THE UNION TABLE OF CONTENTS

BACON'S ESSAY OF GARDENS— An Excerpt pages 6-7 THE MOUNT VERNON GARDENS— A Foreword ppages ag ei4. 8-13 PLAN OF THE GARDEN THE FLOWER GARDEN— A Catalogue of the pages I5-18 THE SEAT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON— Based on the Plan drawn by Samuel Vaughan in 1787 pages 20-21 PLAN OF THE KITCHEN GARDEN page 22 THE KITCHEN GARDEN— A Catalogue of the Plants pages 23-24 WASHINGTON'S DIARY— Excerpts Concerning Planting-1785 pages 25-26 BARTRAM ORDER— A List of Nursery Stock pages 28-33 BOOKS ON AGRICULTURE AND GARDEN- ING IN THE MOUNT VERNON LIBRARY DURING WASHINGTON'S LIFETIME pages 34-39 THE BOTANICAL MAGAZINE or GARDEN DISPLAYED— A Quotation page 40 OF GARDENS

An excerpt from the essay by FRANCIS BACON (1561-1626)

OD ALMIGHTY FIRST PLANTED A GARDEN: AND, INDEED, IT IS THE PUREST OF HUMAN PLEASURES. IT IS THE GREATEST REFRESHMENT TO THE SPIRITS OF MAN; WITHOUT WHICH, BUILDINGS AND PALACES ARE BUT GROSS HANDY-WORKS: AND A MAN SHALL EVER SEE THAT WHEN AGES GROW TO CIVILITY AND ELEGANCY, MEN COME TO BUILD STATELY, SOONER THAN TO GARDEN FINELY; AS IF GAR- DENING WERE THE GREATER PERFECTION.I DO HOLD IT, IN THE ROYAL ORDERING OF GAR- DENS, THERE OUGHT TO BE GARDENS FOR ALL THE MONTHS IN THE YEAR: IN WHICH, SEVER- ALLY, THINGS OF BEAUTY MAY BE THEN IN SEASON. FOR DECEMBER, AND JANUARY, AND THE LATTER PART OF NOVEMBER, YOU MUST TAKE SUCH THINGS AS ARE GREEN ALL WIN- TER: HOLLY; IVY; BAYS; JUNIPER; CYPRESS- ; YEW; PINE-APPLE-TREES; FIR-TREES; ROSEMARY; LAVENDER; PERIWINKLE, THE WHITE, THE PURPLE, AND THE BLUE; GER- MANDER; FLAGS; ORANGE-TREES; LEMON- TREES;AND MYRTLES,IF THEY BE STOVED;AND SWEET MARJORAM, WARM SET. THERE FOL- LOWETH, FOR THE LATTER PART OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY,THE MEZEREON-, WHICH THEN BLOSSOMS; CROCUS VERNUS, BOTH THE YELLOW AND THE GREY; PRIMROSES; ANE- MONES; THE EARLY TULIPPA; HYACINTHUS ORIENTALIS; CHAMAIRIS; FRITELLARIA. FOR MARCH, THERE COME VIOLETS, SPECIALLY THE SINGLE BLUE, WHICH ARE THE EARLIEST; THE YELLOW DAFFODIL; THE DAISY; THE

[6] ALMOND-TREE IN BLOSSOM, THE -TREE IN BLOSSOM; THE CORNELIAN-TREE IN BLOS- SOM; SWEET-BRIAR. IN APRIL FOLLOW THE DOUBLE WHITE VIOLET; THE WALLFLOWER, THE STOCKGILLI-FLOWER, THE COWSLIP, FLOWER-DE-LICES, AND LILIES OF ALL NA- TURES; ROSEMARY-; THE TULIPPA; THE DOUBLE PIONY, THE PALE DAFFODIL, THE FRENCH HONEYSUCKLE, THE CHERRY-TREE IN BLOSSOM, THE DAMMASIN AND PLUM-TREES IN BLOSSOM, THE WHITETHORN IN , THE LILAC-TREE. IN MAY AND JUNE COME PINKS OF ALL SORTS; SPECIALLY THE BLUSH PINK; ROSES OF ALL KINDS, EXCEPT THE MUSK, WHICH COMES LATER;HONEYSUCKLES, STRAW- BERRIES, BUGLOSS, COLUMBINE, THE FRENCH MARIGOLD, FLOS AFRICANUS, CHERRY-TREE IN , RIBES, FIGS IN FRUIT, RASPS, VINE- FLOWERS, LAVENDER IN FLOWERS, THE SWEET SATYRIAN, WITH THE WHITE FLOWERS; HERBA MUSCARIA, LILIUM CONVALLIUM, THE APPLE-TREE IN BLOSSOM. IN JULY COME GILLIFLOWERS OF ALL VARIETIES, MUSK- ROSES, THE LIME-TREE IN BLOSSOM, EARLY PEARS AND PLUMS IN FRUIT, GENITINGS, QUADLINS. IN AUGUST COME PLUMS OF ALL SORTS IN FRUIT; PEARS, APRICOCKS, BER- BERRIES, FILBERDS, MUSK MELONS, MONKS- HOODS OF ALL COLOURS. IN SEPTEMBER COME GRAPES, APPLES, POPPIES OF ALL COLOURS, , MELO-COTONES, NECTARINES, COR- NELIANS, WARDENS, QUINCES. IN OCTOBER AND THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER COME SERVICES, MEDLARS, BULLACES, ROSES CUT OR REMOVED TO COME LATE, HOLLYOAKS, AND SUCH LIKE. THESE PARTICULARS ARE FOR THE CLIMATE OF LONDON; BUT MY MEANING IS PERCEIVED THAT YOU MAY HAVE FER PERPETUUM, AS THE PLACE AFFORDS ... NOTE: Many of these plants, undoubtedly brought to Virginia by the first colonists, may be found in the Mount Vernon Gardens to this day. [ 7 1 THE MOUNT VERNON GARDENS

FOREWORD N 1797 the celebrated English architect, Latrobe, while visiting the home of Wash- ington, made a sketch of the Mansion, showing the family seated at tea on the piazza. This intimate portrait by a contemporary seems to offer a happy introduction to the gardens and grounds of Mount Vernon. Time and fame have conspired to make legendary figures of George and Martha Washington. Therefore the following con- temporary "pen portraits", as they are called, are presented to bring them nearer to the modern visitor to Mount Vernon. Our first pen portrait of Washington bears the date of 1760, when he was twenty-eight years old and was described by his friend, General Hugh Mercer, as six feet two inches in his stockings, and weighing 175 pounds . . . He is wide shouldered . . . neat waisted . . . has rather long legs and arms. His head is well shaped though not large, but is grace- fully poised on a superb neck. A large and straight, rather prominent nose; blue-gray penetrating eyes, which are widely separated and overhung by a heavy brow. His face is long rather than broad, with high, round cheek bones, and terminates in a good firm chin . . . His movements and gestures are graceful, his walk majestic, and he is a splendid horseman." In an article appearing in the London Chronicle a year before the surrender at Yorktown, General

[8] Washington was described as "now in the forty- seventh year of his age. He is tall, a well-made man. His features are manly and bold, his eyes are of a bluish cast and very lively. There is a remarkable air of dignity about him, with a striking degree of gracefulness." Of the many words of praise of Martha Washing- ton, the following seem most appropriate: "She was rather small in stature, but extremely well formed with a pleasant countenance and dark hazel eyes and hair, with those frank and engaging manners so peculiar to, and captivating in, Southern Ladies." Niemcewicz, a distinguished Polish visitor, who spent a fortnight at Mount Vernon in 1798, wrote of her: "Mrs. Washington is one of the most delightful persons one can meet. Good, sweet, and exceedingly pleasant, she likes to talk, and talks well . . ." Gen- eral Lafayette writes of her as "the ideal of a true woman, a charming matron and an exemplar in every relation in life." Add to this the testimony of her granddaughter, Nelly Custis, that "life at Mount Vernon had been most delightful, that the domestic atmosphere was always peaceful and lovely, and that there was at all times perpetual harmony between her grandmamma and the General." Under such favourable conditions and in spite of long absences from home, Washington gradually ex- panded his ideas for the development of his property. He had started his career as an engineer and it is interesting to note how this early training influenced his whole life. Thus the balance between buildings

191 and grounds was not accidental, but the result of careful planning, intended to meet the requirements of a busy plantation, without sacrificing either beauty or usefulness. The drawing on the center page is an adaptation of the sketch made by Samuel Vaughan, a friend of Washington's, during a visit to Mount Vernon in 1787. This is probably the most complete contemporary outline of the home grounds and repre- sents the realization of Washington's plans, the result of his increasing knowledge and appreciation of the laws of design, gained through the study of books known to have been in his library. This contained all the best known agricultural and horticultural books of the period Latrobe, who painted the portrait of the family at tea, records his impressions thus:"The ground on the west front of the house is laid out in a level lawn, bounded on each side with a wide but ex- tremely formal serpentine walk shaded by weeping willows, a tree which in this country grows very well upon high, dry land. On one side of this lawn is a plain kitchen garden, on the other a neat flower gar- den laid out in squares, and boxed with precision . . . For the first time since I left Germany I saw here a parterre stripped and trimmed with infinite care into the form of a richly fleurishedfleur-de-fis, the expiring groan, I hope, of our grandfathers' pedantry." The Polish visitor before-mentioned,described the grounds less critically, but in similar vein:"The whole planta- tion, the garden, and the rest proves well that a man born with natural taste may guess a beauty without *See list of Garden Books in Washington's Library.

JO J having ever seen its model. The General has never left America; but when one sees his house and his home and his garden it seems as if he had copied the best samples of the grand old homesteads of England." As Latrobe indicated, the flower and kitchen gar- dens were on opposite sides of the Bowling Green, as they are today. The former lay to the north and in it were many cherished plants and brought by famous visitors, some of which have survived until this day. On the north side of this garden was the "sun house", with the adjoining "stove house", where the great palms, the orange and lemon trees in tubs were kept. Here also the mistress had her still, with its charcoal fire to perform the mysteries of distilling sweet perfume from rose, lavender, geranium and other flowers, not "born to be a moment's orna- ment", but to live in haunting essence for years. On the south side nearest the Mansion was the family kitchen, with easy access to supplies of fresh vegetables and fragrant herbs from the kitchen gar- den. The records show that there were berries and in variety—currants, raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries, quantities of peaches, nectarines and cherries. Nearby also were the offices for household uses, the dairy and the smoke house, the latter full of bacon and hams, dear to the hearts of all Vir- ginians. Bountiful meals were served at three in the afternoon or at a late hour in the evening—with wine from the vineyard below, or apple cider from the orchard and that popular drink of the fermented juice of the pear, called "Pearree". From sunrise to sunset, and often until midnight or later, the area surrounding the mansion was the scene of varied activities, necessary to the successful management of a large household, with guests arriving at any hour the difficulties of travel allowed. The sacred obliga- tions of hospitality were ever before the master and mistress of the house, for Mount Vernon seems never to have been without visitors. Among them came on a lovely afternoon in June 1798,"Mrs. Washington's daughter-in-law, Mrs. Stuart, with her four daughters and her husband, in a carriage drawn by four horses with three post boys and two negroes on horseback". Referring at random to Washington's Diaries, we find that in October, 1797, there were no less than sixty-six visitors, many of them dinner and over- night guests. During this period appear the names of young George Washington Lafayette and his tutor, the Spanish minister, the Vicomte d'Orleans, two British Commissioners, and many others. When the company was large we are told that ". . . the table was laid in the 'great hall' . . . with a service of porcelain of Sevres." There exists a "weekly garden report", dated 1797- 1798, which gives an interesting clue to the planting in both gardens. In these "reports" the flower garden is called the"high" and the kitchen garden the "low" garden. Reference is made to pruning the peach trees and to "nailing them to the wall", and to "dressing the wall trees", predecessors of the espalier trees now in the restored kitchen garden. Miller's Gardener's Dictionary seemed to be a familiar book of reference.

[ Washington's constant concern for his gardens is shown throughout his diaries, in his letters to his managers and in other records. In November, 1788, he directs his manager to find for him "a compleat kitchen gardener with a competent knowledge of flowers and shrubs". It is the purpose of this small booklet to present to the public a reminder of the days when George and Martha Washington walked under the trees and through the gardens at Mount Vernon. Here they found the refreshment and happiness described by General Washington in a letter written to the wife of General Lafayette, upon his return at the close of the Revolutionary War:"From the clangor of arms and the bustle of a camp, freed from the cares of public employment, and the responsibility of office, I am now enjoying domestic ease under the shadow of my own Vine, and my own Fig tree; and in a small Villa, with the implements of Husbandry, and the Lamb- kins around me, I expect to glide gently down the stream of life, 'till I am entombed in the dreary mansions of my Fathers."

[ 13 1 gfczn 9f gZOWeR gARDe_Ai MOUNT VERNON , VIRGINIA THE FLOWER GARDEN ./1 Catalogue of the Plants

Common Names Botanical Names Adonis: Pheasant-Eye Adonis autumnalis Apple Pyrus Malus Aster Alpine Aster alpinus New England A. novae-angliae Stokes Z. Stokesia laevis Babys-Breath Gypsophila repens Balloon-Flower Platycodon grandiflorum Basil Ocimum Basilicum Boxwood Common Buxus sempervirens English B. sufruticosa Bugle-Weed Ajuga reptans rubra Bugloss Anchusa italica Buttercup Creeping Ranunculus repens Candytuft Perennial Iberis sempervirens Canterbury Bells Bellflower Campanula persicifolia Carpathian Harebell C. Carpatica Catmint Nepeta Mussini Cherry Sour Prunus Cerasus Chive Allium Schoenoprasum Golden Garlic A. Moly Chrysanthemum Arctic Daisy Chrysanthemum arcticum Crown Daisy C. coronarium Ox-Eye Daisy C. Leucanthemum Cockscomb Celosia plumosa Columbine Aquilegia var. Coneflower Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta Purple R. purpurea Coreopsis: Tickseed Coreopsis grandiflora 1151 Cornflower: Bachelors Button Centaurea Cyanus Crepe Myrtle Lagerstroemia indica Crocus Saffron Crocus sativus Daisy English Bellis perennis Damson Plum Prunus domestica institia Dragonhead False Physostegia virginiana Fall Daffodil Sternbergia lutea Feverfew Matricaria capensis Fig Common Ficus carica Fivefinger Potentilla grandiflora Flax Linum perenne Forget-Me-Not Myosotis alpestris Foxglove Digitalis purpurea Gaillardia Gaillardia grandiflora Gas-Plant Dictamus albus Geranium Scented Pelargonium var. Globe Thistle Echinops Ritro Golden Marguerite Anthemis tinctoria Gold-Flower: St. Johns Wort Hypericum Moserianum Grape-Hyacinth Muscari botryoides Heliotrope Heliotropium peruvianum Garden Valeriana officinalis Honesty Lunaria biennis Horse-Mint: Bee-Balm Monarda didyma Hydrangea Oak Leaf Hydrangea quercifolia Indigo False Baptisia australis Iris: Flag Dwarf Iris pumila Florentine; Orris Root I.florentina German I. germanica Siberian I. sibirica Spring I. verna Ivy English Hedera helix Jacobs Ladder Polemonium caeruleum Japanese Rose Kerria japonica Kings Spear Asphodelus luteus Lavender Lavandula officinalis Lavender-Cotton Santolina Chamaecyparissus Lemon-Verbena Lippia citriodora Lilac Common Syringa vulgaris

[ i6] Lily Crown Imperial Fritillaria imperialis Glory Gloriosa var. Guinea Hen Flower Fritillaria meleagris Madonna Lillium candidum Tiger L. tigrinum Yellow Day Hemerocallis Flaw Lily-of-the-Valley Convallaria majalis Magnolia Northern Magnolia soulangeana Southern M.grandiflora Maltese Cross Lychnis chakedonica Marigold Pot Calendula officinalis Meadow-Rue Thalictrum aquilegifolium Monkshood Aconitum Napellus Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris lactiflora Mullein: Rose Campion Lychnis Coronaria Narcissus Jonquil Narcissus Yonquilla Poets N. poeticus Nectarine Prunus Persica nectarina Osmanthus Osmanthus Aquifolium Pansy Viola tricolor Peach Prunus Persica Pear Pyrus communis Peony Paeonia officinalis Phlox Moss Pink Phlox subulata Summer Perennial P. paniculata Pink Annual Dianthus chinensis Grass D. plumarius Maiden D. deltoides Sweet William D. barbatus Plum Common Prunus domestica Poppy Iceland Papaver nudicaule Opium P. somniferum Primrose: Cowslip Primula veris Rocket Hesperis matronalis Rose Austrian Copper Rosafoetida bicolor Cabbage R. centifolia var. R. chinensis var. Damask R. damascena French R. gallica var. Harrison Yellow R.foetida Harrisoni

[ Mary Washington Moss R. muscosa var. Musk R. moschata var. Red Leaf R. rubrifolia Scotch R. spinosissima Sweet Briar R. rubiginosa Virginia R. virginiana var. York R. alba Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Sage Garden Salvia officinalis Sea Lavender Statice latifolia Sea-Pink: Alpine Thrift Armeria alpina Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus Sneezewort Heknium autumnale Snowball Viburnum Opulus var. Snowdrop Common Galanthus nivalis Solomons-Seal Polygonatum multijkrum Speedwell Common Veronica officinalis Spike Flowered V. spicata Hoary V. incana Spiderwort Common Tradescantia virginiana Squill: English Blue Bells Scilla nutans Sun-Rose Helianthemum Chamaecistus Sweet Alyssum Alyssum maritima Sweet- Calycanthusfloridus Thyme Common Thymus vulgaris Tobacco Flowering Nicotiana affinis Tuberose Polianthes tuberosa Tulip Greigs Tulipa Greigi Lady T. Clusiana Parrot T. Gesneriana var. dracontia Turkish T. acuminata Wild T. sykestris Vervain Verbena Aubletia Violet Sweet Viola odorata Wallflower Cheiranthus Allionii Wall Rock-Cress Araks albida Windflower Anemone Pulsatilla rubra Yarrow: Milfoil Achillea Millefolium A. Ptarmica

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NON113A cili?UeS,b76 412i---soseyr. cwis THE KITCHEN GARDEN LI Catalogue of the Plants

Beds Borders Espalier fruits Nepeta, Mussini Radish followed by Pepper Thyme Swiss Chard Germander Sage, Officinalis Winter Savory Beet San tolina Sweet Basil Germander Spinach followed by Celeriac Santolina Onion followed by Eggplant Espalier fruits Chives Parsnip Rosemary Peas followed by Carrots Rosemary Cabbage, early & late Rosemary Snap Beans Rosemary Horseradish Lavender Endive followed by Turnip Lavender Calendula Winter Savory Peas followed by Tomatoes Winter Savory Fig Lettuce followed by Pepper Lavender Beet Lavender Fig Hollyhock Okra Pennyroyal Potatoes followed by Corn Sweet Marjoram Spinach followed by Cucumber Quince & Hollyhock Snap Beans Fig & Hollyhock French Marigold Lettuce followed by Summer Squash Chives Lily-of-the-valley Violet Onion followed by Swiss Chard Rue

E 23 I Beds Borders Spinach followed by Rutabaga Lavender Santolina Boxwood Sweet Potato Thyme Lavender Boxwood Mint Mugwort Strawberries Grapes & Boxwood Cabbage followed by Celeriac Parsley Broccoli followed by Endive Sweet Marjoram Cucumber followed by Celery Parsley Peas followed by Corn Germander Lettuce followed by Turnip Parsley Endive followed by Rutabaga Santolina Rhubarb Santolina Early Cabbage followed by Tomato Lemon Balm Sweet Fennel, Foxglove, Rosemary, Inula Angelica, African Marigold Lemon Balm Rue Lemon Balm Onion followed by Pole Beans Lemon Balm Asparagus

Dipping Well in Kitchen Garden

[ 2,4 1 Excerptsfrom WASHINGTON'S DIARY Among many such entries in Washington's diaries the following, made in the spring of 1785, have been selected as representative. February 22nd. Removed two pretty large and full grown Lilacs to the No. Garden gate, one on each side, taking up as much dirt with the roots as cd. be well obtained. Also a mock orange to the walk leading to the No. Necessary. I also removed from the Woods and the old fields, several young Trees of the Sassafras, Dogwood, and Red bud, to the shrubbery on the No. side the grass plat. February 23rd. Planted trees on the South Shrubbery similar to those of yes- terday, except the Lilacs for which I thought the ground too wet. Brought down a number of young Aspan trees from one Sam!. Jenkin's near the old Court House, to transplant in to the Serpen- tine Avenues to the Door. As they came late I had the roots buried until they could be transplanted in the places they are intended to grow. February 28th. Planted all the Mulberry trees, Maple trees, and Blackgums in my Serpentine Walks, and the Poplars on the right walk, the Sap of which and the Mulberry appeared to be Moving. Also planted 4 trees from H[ell] Hole, the Name unknown, but of a brittle wood which has the smell of Mulberry. March and. Planted the remainder of the Ash Trees in the Serpentine walks, the remainder of the fringe trees in the Shrubberies, all the black haws, all the large berried thorns, with a small berried one in the middle of each clump,6 small berried thorns with a large one in the middle of each clump, all the swamp red berry bushes, and one clump of locust trees. March 3rd. Planted the remainder of the Locusts, Sassafras, small berried thorn and yellow Willow in the Shrubberies; as also the red buds, a honey locust and service tree by the South Garden House, like- wise took up the clump of Lilacs that stood at the corner of the South Grass plat and transplanted them to the clusters in the Shrubberies and standards at the South Garden gate. The Althea trees were also planted. March 4th. Planted two more Service trees at the North Garden Wall, one on each side of the gate; two catalpas (large) West of the Garden House; 28 Crab-trees, and the like number of Magnolia; besides a number of little sprouts from 6 Inches to two feet high of the last mentioned tree. The Magnolia had good roots wch. were well enclosed with the Earth they grew in. Also compleated my Ser_ pentine walks with Elm trees. March 7th. Planted all my Cedars, all my Papaw, and two Honey locust Trees in my Shrubberies, and two of the latter in my groves— one at each [side] of the House, and a large Holly tree on the Point going to the Sein landing. Began to raise the Bank of Earth and to turf it, along the Northernmost row of Trees in the Serpentine Walk on the right.

March i4th.

Planted the young peach Trees which I brought from Mr. Cockburn's in the No. Garden, viz, 4 on the South border of the second walk (two on each side of the middle walk), 2 in the border of the walk leading from the Espalier hedge towards the other cross walk, and 3 under the South Walk of the Garden; that is two on the right as we enter the gate and one on the left. The other Peach tree to answer it, on that side and the two on the West Walk, parrallel to the Walnut trees were taken from the nursery in the Garden. * * * * * * * * March 31st. * * * * * * * * Planted the Scarlet or French honey suckle (as my Gardner calls it, and which he says blows all the Summer) at each Column of my covered ways, as also against the circular walls between the Store house, etca. and the two New Necessaries. Also planted the Gilder Rose and Persian Jessamine opposite thereto on the Walks leading up to these necessaries, 4 of the first and six of the latter on each Walk.

[ 26 1

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Printed below is an inventory of the nursery stock sent as replacements by Bartram of Phila- delphia and captioned "List of Trees Shrubs 8z0 had of Jn° Bartram to supply the place of those of his catalogue of Mar: 12 which failed/Nov': 7th 1792." This manuscript, preserved in the Library of Congress, and bearing General Washington's planting directions for the Bowling Green, well illustrates his watchful care in every detail of the development of Mount Vernon.

N9 2.d Ulez europeus E grows from 3 to 4 feet high. Embellished with sweet scented flowers of a fine yellow colour.

a. 3. Hyperieum kalmeanum 3 to 4 ft. Profusely garnished with fine gold coloured blossoms-2 plants.

4. Hyperie: Angustifolium 3 to 6 ft. Evergreen, adorned with fine yellow flowers. e. 5. Tazus procumbens 3 to 6 ft. Evergreen—of a splendid full green throughout the year—red berries.

6. Buscus aureus E 3 to 10 ft. Elegant, called gilded box.

7. Daphne mezerium E. 1 to 3 ft. An early flowering sweet scented little Shrub.

7. Calycanthus floridus 4 to 8 ft. Odoriferous, its blossoms scented like the Pine apple.

E. 10. Asculus hippocastanum 20, 40, to 50 ft. A magnificent flowering and shady tree.

11. Evonimus atrapurpurius 6 to 8 ft. Its fruit of a bright crim- son in the autumn (burning bush) 3 plants.

[ 28 1 13. Franklinia 3, 15 to 20 ft. Flowers large, white and fragrant. Native of Georgia.

16. Kalmia angustifolia 1 to 2 ft. Evergreen garnished with crimson speckled flowers, 4 plants.

24. Halesia tetraptera 4, 10, to 15 ft. Flowers abundant, white, of the shape of little bells.

25. Viburnum opulifolium 3 to 7 ft. Of singular beauty in flower & fruit.

27. Virburnum alnifolium 3 to 6 ft. Handsome flowering shrub.

29. Sorbus Sativa E 10, 15 to 30 ft. It's fruit pear and apple shaped, as large and well tasted when mellow.

31. Sorbus aucuparia 8, 15 to 30 ft. Foliage elegant: embellished with umbells of coral red berries. e. 36. Stewartea malachodendron 5 to 8 ft. Floriferous, the flowers large and white, embellished with a large tuft of black or purple threads in their centre.

38. Styrax grandifolium 3 to 10 ft. A most charming flowering shrub, blossoms snow white, & of the most grateful scent (call'd Snow-drop tree.)

39. Philadelphus coronarius E 4, 6, 10 ft. A sweet flowering shrub (called mock orange).

40. Philadelphus inodorus 5, 7, 10 ft. His robe a silver flowered mantle. e41. Pinus Strobus 50, 80, 100 ft. Magnificent! he presides in the evergreen Groves (White Pine), 4 plants.

[ 29 1 *f42. Pinus communis E 20, 40, 60 ft. A stately tree, foliage of a Sea green colour, and exhibits a good appearance whilst young. (Scotch Fir.)

*43. Pinus Larix E 40 to 60 ft. Elegant figure & foliage.

45. Robinia villosa 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 ft. A gay shrub enrobed with plum'd and roseat flowers, 3 plants.

52. Prunus chicasa 6, 8, 10 ft. Early flowers, very fruitful; the fruit nearly round, cleft, red, purple, yellow of an inticing look, most agreeable taste & wholesome. (chicasaw Plum.)

57. Asculus alba 1, 4, 6 ft. The branches terminate with long erect spikes of sweet white flowers.

E 58. Juniperus sabina 1 to 5. Evergreen.

-I- 54. Asculus pavia 6, 8, 10, 12, 15 ft. It's light and airy foliage crimson and variegated flowers, present a gay & mirthful appearance; continually, whilst in bloom, visited by the brilliant thundering Huming-bird. The root of this tree is esteemed preferable to Soap,for scouring E.1 cleaning woolen clothes. (2 plants). c. 63. Myrica gale 2 to 4 ft. Possesses an highly aromatic, and very agreeable scent. (3 plants).

69. Mespilus pubescens 2, 3, 4 ft. An early flowering shrub of great elegance, produces very pleasant fruit. (2 plants).

E. f. 72. Colutia arboroscens 3, 6, 10 ft. Exhibits a good appear- ance; foliage pinnated, of a soft pleasant green colour, interspers'd with large yellow papillionacious flowers in succession.

77. Prunus Divaricata 6,8 ft. Diciduous, flowers white in raumes, stems diverging & branches pendulous.

[ 30 ] 78. Hydrangia arborescens 3, 5, to 6 ft. Ornamental in shruberies —flowers white in large corymbes.

79. Andromeda exilaris 1 to 3 ft. Evergreen.

80. Acer pumilum, s, montanum 4 to 8 ft. Handsome shrub for coppices foliage singular, younger shoots red.

84 Rubus odoratus 3 to 7 ft. Foliage beautiful; flowers of the figure, colour & fragrance of the Rose.

E. 92. Laurus nobilis 10, 20, 30 ft. Sweet Bay, a celebrated ever- green—leaves odoriferous. c. 101. Arundo donax 5, 6, 8 ft. Maiden Cane.

In addition to the above,— No 1. Mespilus pyracantha. Evergreen Thorn, a very beautiful flowering shrub; in flowers & fruit, evergreen in moderate climates, and not to be exceeded in usefulness, for hedge Fences &ca

October 30th 1792.

The following Letters in the margin serve to explain the natural soil & situation of the Trees, Shrubs &ca a. rich, moist, loose or loamy soil, in shade of other trees. b. rich deep soil. c. wet moorish soil. d. Dry indifferent soil. e. A good loamy moist soil in any situation. f. Any soil and situation. E. Exoticks.—

[ 31 ] [The following in General Washington's handwriting] is written on the same sheet

Directions for disposing of the Trees, Shrubs &c4, mentioned in the aforegoing list.

The intention of giving the heights to which they may grow, is, that except in the centre of the Six Ovals in the west Lawn; —and at each end of the two large Ovals; none of the tall, or lofty growing trees (evergreens) are to be planted.—But this I would have done in all of them whether any thing occupies these particular spots, or not:—removing them if they do, to some other parts of the aforesaid Ovals.—/It each end of the Smaller Ovals, trees of middling growth (for instance those which Rise to 15, 20, or even to thirtyfeet) may be planted.— My meaning is, that in the Centre of every Oval (if it is not already there) one of the lofty growing trees should be planted; and the same done at each end of the two large Ovals;—and at the ends of the it Smaller ones, trees of lesser size to be planted. —The other parts of all of them to receive the Shrubs—putting the tallest, always, nearest the Middle, letting them decline more into dwarfs towards the outer parts.—This was my intention when they were planted in the Ovals last Spring— but I either did not express myself clearly—or the directions were not attended to.—I now hope they will be understood, and attended to, both.—The two trees marked thus (*) in the Margin, I would have planted by the Garden gates opposite to the Spruce Pines.—I believe common pine are now in the

[ 32 places where I intended these, but they may be removed, being placed there merely tofill up space.—If any of the these tall growing trees are now in any other part of the Ovals, except those here mentioned (and that you may be enabled better to ascertain this, I send you a list of what went from Bartrams Garden last Spring) I would have them removed, so as to conform to these directions;—and if there be more with what are now sent, than are sufficient to comply with these directions, there may be one on each side of the two large Ovals, makingfive in each.—You will observe that these Pinus Strobus (or white Pines) are the loftiest of all the Tall trees which now are, or have been sent; and that it is these which are to form your centre trees—and the end trees of the two large Ovals.— I must request also, that except the large treesfor the Centre & sides no regularity may be observed in planting the other in the Ovals.—This I particularly desired last Spring, but found when I got home it was not attended to.— When you have disposed of all the trees & Shrubs agreeably to these directions return this Paper, and the general list which accompanies it, back again to me; as I may have occasion for them in procuring plants in future.—

NOTE—If there are now growing in the Ovals, as many as 4 of the Hemlock Spruce (sent last Spring) let them be taken up when the ground is hard & deep frozen in the winter,& placed on the sides of the two large Ovals instead of the white Pines, wc.h you might have put there in consequence of the aforegoing directions.

[ 331 BOOKS ON AGRICULTURE AND GARDENING IN THE MOUNT VERNON LIBRARY DURING WASHINGTON'S LIFETIME

Abercrombie, John; The Hot - house Gardener . . •, London, 1789. Anderson, James; Essays Relating to Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Edinburgh, 1787- 96. 4 volumes. Anderson, James; A Practical Treatise on Peat Moss . . . , Edinburgh, 1794. Anderson, James; A Practical Treatise on Bogs and Swampy Grounds. . ., London, '797. Anderson, James; Recreations in Agriculture, Natural History, Arts,and Miscellaneous Literature, London, circa 1797, 12 numbers. Bartram, William; Travels through North & South Carolina, Georgia, East & West Florida, the Cherokee Country .. . Containing an Account of the Soil and Natural Productions of these Regions .. ., Philadelphia, 1791. Bordley, J. B.; Essays and Notes on Husbandry and Rural Affairs, Philadelphia, 1799. Bordley, J. B.; A Summary View of the Courses of Crops, in the Husbandry of Eng- land & Maryland . . ., bound with other pamphlets, labelled "Poems, etc.".

.34 Bordley, J. B.; Queries Selected from a Paper of the Board of Agriculture in Lon- don, or The Nature and Prin- ciples of Vegetation. . ., Phila- delphia, 1797. Bordley, J. B.; Sketches on Rotation of Crops. . bound with other pamphlets, labelled "Sketches and En- quiries". Bossu, N.; Travels through that Part of North America Familiarly Called Lou- isiana. . . to which is Added by the Translator a Systematic Cat- alogue of All the Known Plants of English North America. . London, 1771. 2 vols. Boswell, George; /1 Treatise on Watering Meadows. . . ., London, 1792. Bowler, Metcalf; A Treatise on Agriculture and PracticalHusbandry,boundwith other pamphlets,labelled "Agri- culture". Bucknall, T. S. D.; The Orchardist. . ., London, 1797. Cochrane, Archibald; /1 Treatise Skewing the Intimate Connection that Subsists between Agriculture and Chemistry. . London, 1795. Commerell, Abbe de; An Account of the Culture and Use of the Mangel Wurzel, or Root of Scarcity, bound with other pam- phlets, labelled "Agriculture". Dossie, Robert; The Handmaid of the Arts. . London, 1764. 2 vols.

1351 Duhamel du Monceau, A Practical Treatise of Husbandry Henri Louis; wherein Are Contained Many Useful and Valuable Experi- ments and Observations in the New Husbandry Collected Dur- ing a Series of Years, London, 1762. Gen til, Francis; Le jardinier Solitaire. The Soli- tary or Carthusian Gard'ner, Being Dialogues between a Gen- tleman and a Gard'ner; also The Compleat Florist, by Louis Liger D'Auxeme, London, 1706. Hale, Thomas; A Compleat Body of Husbandry. • • London, 1758-59. 4 volumes. Home, Henry; The Gentleman Farmer.. ., Dublin, 1779. Kennedy, John; A Treatise Upon Planting, Gar- dening, and the Management of the Hot-house, London, 1777. 2 volumes. Lambert, A Letter on the Construction and Use of the Improved Foot Plough, bound with other pamphlets, labelled "Agriculture". Langley, Batty; New Principles of Gardening, Lon- don, 1728. Lisle, Edward; Observations on Husbandry, Lon- don, 1757. 2 volumes. Logan, George; Fourteen AgriculturalExperiments , to Ascertain the Best Rotation of Crops, bound with other pam-

[ 36 phlets, labelled "Sketches and Enquiries". Marcandier, ; A Treatise on Hemp, London, 1764. Marshall, Humphrey; iirbustrum Americannum: The American Grove, or, An Alpha- betical Catalogue of Forest Trees and Shrubs, Native of the Ameri- can United States, Arranged Ac- cording to the Linnaean System. . . ., Philadelphia, 1785. Marshall, William: Planting and Rural Ornament, London, 1796. 2 volumes. Mawe, Thomas, and The Universal Gardener and Boto- Abercrombie, J.; mist, or A General Dictionary of Gardening and Botany, London, 1778. Maxwell, Robert; The Practical Husbandman; Being a Collection of Miscellaneous Papers on Husbandry, Edin- burgh, 1757. Miller, Philip; The Gardener's Calendar.. ., Lon- don, 1762. Miller, Philip; Abridgement of the Gardener's Dictionary, London, 1763. Peters, R; Agricultural Enquiries on Plaster of Paris, Philadelphia, 1797. 2 volumes (duplicated). Poellnitz, F.C.H.B.; Essay on Agriculture, bound with other pamphlets,labelled "Agri- culture". Price, Uvedale; An Essay on the Picturesque, as Compared with the Sublime and Beautiful; and for the Purpose

1 37] of Studying Picturesfor the Pur- pose of Improving Real Land- scape, London, 1776. 2 volumes. Sharp, James; A Description of the Utensils of Husbandry, Rolling Carriages, Cart Rollers, and Divided Rollers for Lands or Gardens, Mills, Weighing Engines, etc., bound with other pamphlets, labelled "Miscellanies". Spurrier, John; The PracticalFarmer, Being a New and Compendious System of Husbandry, Adapted to the Dif- ferent Soils and Climates of America, Wilmington, 1793. Varlo, Charles; A New System of Husbandry. . Philadelphia, 1785. Weston, Edward; New System of Agriculture. London, 1755. Young, Arthur; Annals of Agriculture and Other Useful Arts, London, 1786-96. 31 volumes (partially dupli- cated). Young, Arthur; A Tour in Ireland. . ., Dublin, 1780. Young, Arthur; Travels, During the Years 1787, 1788, and 1789 in France, Bury St. Edmund's, 1792. Young, Arthur; Travels. . (2nd edition), London and Bury St. Edmund's, 1794. 2 volumes. Young, Arthur; Rural Economy; or Essays on the Practical Parts of Husbandry. . . ., Burlington, 1792.

[ 38 ] Notes on Farming, bound with other pamphlets, labelled "Agri- culture". The Complete Farmer; or A General Dictionary cyr Husbandry; With the Useful Parts of Gardening, or Those Necessary for the Farmer and Country Gentleman, etc., London, circa 1767. The Farmer's Compleat Guide, through All Articles of His Pro- fession.. . London, 1760. Museum Rusticum et Commerciale; or, Select Papers of Commerce, Arts, and Manufactures.. ., London, 1764-66. 6 volumes. Catalogue of Plants, Exotic and Indigeneous in the Botanical Garden at Yamaica,(1792), bound with other pamphlets labelled "Miscellanies".

Reports of the National Agricultural Society of Great Britain, 1793- 96. Ioo numbers. Transactions of the Agricultural Society of New York, New York, 1792-94. 2 volumes (partially duplicated). Publications of the Philadelphia Society for Promoting and Im- proving Agriculture, I number, bound with other pam- phlets, labelled "Agriculture". Publications of the South Carolina Society for Promoting and Improving Agriculture, and Other Rural Concerns, 2 numbers, bound with other pamphlets, labelled "Agri- culture."

Curtis, William; Botanical Magazine or Garden Displayed, 6 volumes bound in 3; 2 at Mount Vernon.

Harris, John; Lexicon Technicum Magnum or A Universal Dic- tionary of Arts and Sciences. 1705. At Mount Vernon. Encyclopaedia; or A Dictionary of the Arts and Sciences and Miscellaneous Literature,Philadelphia, 1798. 18 volumes. A New and Complete Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, Compre- hending All the Branches of Useful Knowledge, London, 1763. 4 volumes. At Mount Vernon.

[ 39 1 "the garden yields /I soft amusement, an humane delight. To raise th' insipid nature of the ground, Or tame its savage genius to the grace Of careless sweet rusticity, that seems The amiable result of happy chance, Is to create, and give a god-like joy, Which ev'ry year improves." ARMSTRONG.

From The Botanical Magazine or Garden Displayed, London, 1792. Washington's Autographed Copy is now at Mount Vernon.

[ 40 ;