We dwell with delight upon the picturesque view of a section of Mrs. Curtis's garden which might well have been taken from an English garden, so closely does it resemble that type which has been our inspiration more especially during the last ten years. In America the walled garden is found to be useful near the sea, and not undesirable in the cooler northern interior, but by many experts it is not advised in a warm climate, where it prevents the free circulation of air within its enclosure, from which condition some plants may suffer.
In the near-by hamlet of East Hampton, Mrs. Lorenzo Woodhouse has an ingenious scheme of connecting formal gardens that are as remarkable in conception as they are exquisite in color harmony. In length the plan is considerably greater than the width, and the long vista from end to end presents to the artist's eye a lovely picture of flowers, pool, and arches.
Near by, on Huntting Lane, the wild garden belonging to R. Cummins, Esq., is considered the best piece of work of its kind in the country. It is wonderfully composed with natural pools and streams, tea-houses and rustic bridges suggestive of the Japanese art, yet lovelier than the trim Oriental type of water garden because so delightfully wild and overgrown with massive plants, vines, and shrubs, without, however, being disorderly in appearance. It is an especially rare treat in early July at the season of Japanese Iris.
At the west end of Long Island, near New York, gardens are almost as plentiful as those in the region of the Hamptons. For lack of space the illustrations of the lovely garden at Manor House, Glen Cove, and the picturesque pool at Cedarhurst must alone represent this section. Later periods of bloom succeed the Tulips at the Manor House, giving continuous color all summer to this charming place. The view of Mr. Steele's garden at Westbury is a fine example of an ideal hillside planting leading to the flower-beds on a lower level.
Probably the oldest garden in New York State is the one at Sylvester Manor, on Shelter Island, between the shores of Long Island and Connecticut. This charming little flower-plot is reached by a short flight of descending steps. Some of its old Boxwood appears in the illustration of the pool which is a part of the garden scheme. The original owners of Shelter Island were the Manhasset Indians. "In 1651 Nathaniel Sylvester came from England with his young bride, and here they planted the Box, still one of the wonders of the place, and erected the first manor-house with its oak doors and panels and mantels fitted in England, and brick tiles brought from Holland. The present house was built in 1737 with enough of the woodwork of the old house to maintain symmetry in traditions, and stands to-day as it has stood the better part of two centuries, filled with its old furniture, paintings, and curios. Here is kept the cloth of gold left by Captain Kidd and many other things that time and space forbid mentioning." The old homestead has always remained in the family in direct descent.
PLATE V
At the hour of sunset
Southampton, L. I. Mrs. Peter B. Wyckoff
After an autochrome photograph by Miss Johnston—Mrs. Hewitt