Have been off on a vacation, peering into other folks' gardens and
admiring other people's flowers. Visited the Public Garden of Boston and
saw that there had been a marked improvement within ten years. The
massed beds of several sorts, with their contrasting borders, were very
attractive, specially the maroon Coleuses with border of Centaurea.
There were few varieties of Geraniums, and these were mostly massed in
beds, some all scarlet, others wholly pink.
At Forest Hills Cemetery there was the finest display of flowers and
tropical plants I ever saw, and they are very artistically and
tastefully displayed. I saw several beds with artistic designs on a
ground work of Sempervivum, evidencing great skill in the arrangement
and culture. The entrance gateway to Forest Hills Cemetery is very
beautiful in design, and here we saw that graceful climber Ampeclopsis
Veitchii, in the perfection of its beauty, covering the front almost
entirely. I had noted it in various stages of growth, clinging to the
dwellings in all parts of the city, requiring no aid but its own little
rootlets. It is a native of Japan and was introduced in this country
twelve years ago. It was slow at first in being duly appreciated, but
now is widely known and extensively propagated. Probably the finest
plant is owned by Mr. George L. Conover of Geneva, N. Y. It covers the
entire front of his two-story square house, and has become so famous
that horticulturists from all parts of the country have been attracted
by it, and a great many people have visited Geneva for the special
purpose of seeing this fine plant. It has proved to be perfectly hardy,
only the first year the young and tender plant needs some protection
during the winter. Florists are growing them in great quantities to meet
the increasing demand. It can be obtained for twenty cents. I received a
small plant last year and kept it in my window box during the winter. It
died down, however, and I quite forgot about it, till it sprang forth
anew in April. Since putting it in the ground it has grown rapidly, and
I shall value it now more than ever.