Part 2

Hemlock Glen of the “Monks,” situated on the Wissahickon, above Kitchen’s Lane. Photograph by E. C. J. From “Meehans’ Monthly.”

PAGE 64

Charles J. Wister, who preserves the traditions of “Grumblethorpe,” and following in the footsteps of an illustrious line, is honored and beloved wherever known. Photograph by Samuel R. Gray.

PAGE 72

Elliston P. Morris, the owner of the “Deshler-Morris” mansion which President Washington occupied, and the possessor also of one of the finest gardens in Germantown. Print of “The Germantown Independent-Gazette.”

PAGE 74

R. Robinson Scott, an eminent Germantown horticulturist, and the discoverer of the famous fern known as “Scott’s Spleenwort.” Photograph copy by E. C. J. Print of “Fern-Bulletin.”

PAGE 78

Thomas Nuttall, a noted naturalist, lecturer and explorer. An exceedingly rare spleenwort keeps before us his name. From “Botanists of Philadelphia,” by John W. Harshberger, Ph. D.

PAGE 79

“Wyck,” a marvel of quaintness and exquisite beauty. The oldest house and garden in Germantown, and the richest in intellectual associations. Photograph by Gilbert Hindermyer. From “Home and Garden.”

PAGE 83

Johnson Homestead, at northwest corner of Main street and Washington lane, a house renowned in local history, whose garden is its equal in absorbing interest. Print of “The Germantown Independent-Gazette.”

PAGE 88

Cliveden, the centre of the Germantown battle ground, and the home of many beautiful plants. Print of “The Germantown Independent-Gazette.”

PAGE 90

Upsala, celebrated for its stately beauty, and its possessions of rare and unique plants. Photograph by J. H. Russ.

PAGE 94

Joseph Meehan, a noted botanist and horticulturist, whose writings form an integral part of our best floricultural magazines. Print of “Floral Exchange.”

PAGE 100

Prof. Thomas Meehan, a noted scientist, educator and writer, the author of the greatest books upon our native flora, and the nestor of American Horticulture. Print of “Meehans’ Monthly.”

GERMANTOWN

RARE AND NOTABLE PLANTS

In the presentation and consideration of our home plants of special interest, it should be kept in mind that nearly all, if not quite all, were transplanted to the positions they now occupy, and that there is here no disposition to compare or contrast with other plants of greater age, of more historic worth, our rare and notable plants of “nature” and cultivation.

Our purpose is rather to show that, with our town’s increase in girth and years, we have had a like advance in intelligence and culture, and that our old mansions, gardens and those who keep them have earned for Germantown the title,--“the most beautiful suburb in America.”

We have no yew trees 3000 years old, no oak trees of 2000 years’ growth, no “Burnham beeches,” nor have we other plants of great age equal to those of older countries and especially England, but such as we have we shall in outline endeavor to present, and direct attention to the fact that they have merited and received the attention of visitors, who have had opportunity for observation abroad. About ten years ago, George Nicholson, curator of the Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew, London, was the guest of Prof. Thomas Meehan, and spent some time here. After leaving he said:

“Germantown is a place which every foreigner interested in American trees should visit, as the people of this suburb of Philadelphia one hundred years ago were especially interested in the introduction and cultivation of rare trees, and the first cultivated specimens of several American trees were originally planted here, and may still be seen. The roads of Germantown are shaded with beautiful rows of native trees, and behind them stretch the green lawns of innumerable villas.”

John Walter, editor of the London Times, while here expressed similar views, and many other visitors and writers who passed through Germantown have left us a record of their “impressions.”