The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-05


TO last for another century. In December,
1880, lie greenhouses were partially de-
stroyed by fire and of the rare plants
presented to Washington. and carefully
preserved after his death. only three-a
lemon tree a century plant and a sago-
palm-were saved. The last shoot Of the
lemon tree persisted about four years ago.
Of the century plant and the sago-palm
a few vigorous descendants remain.
Just outside the entrance and form
ing a perfect square. are two ~ and two
poplar trees, planted by Washington The
memory Of Lafayette IS kept green by the
splendid Kentucky coffee tree oyerhang-
Ing the south wall. This tree and two
hYdrangea bushes were brought from
Monticello to Mount Vernon and planted
there BY the French hero. who. in COM
mon With other distinguished visitors, was
invited TO leave his cign manual on these
historic gardens. Four fine calycanthus
bushes. also originally from the estate Of
Thomas jefferson, and much more than
. century old, are known by the names OF
adams. Jefferson, Madison and Monroe
Washingtons closest successors in the
presidency They adorn the northwestern
portion Of the flower garden. in the corner
of which stands a little hexagonal build
ing originally erected for q seed house.
Eventually 1t became the school room In
which Eleanor and George Washington
Parke Curtis received the rudiments of
their education
within the walls and separated from
them by broad and smooth walk, Is the
wonderful lockwood, planted just one hun
dred and fifty years ago, and forming an
inner boundary for the entire garden. As
In the days of Washington, it is kept
smoothly and sparely clipped to the width
of three and the height of four feet. The
flower beds. designed and outlined by
him, are quaint enclosures of lockwood
In and about them roses, syrngas and ge-
raniums still dispense their fragrance
throughout the summer and cosmos, al
thea nasturtium. Gamma and southern
wood flourish as of yore
Near the southern walk, within the
shadow of a pear tree planted by Wash
ington. hourishes a large, climbing rose
bush. planted also by him. Each year.
for more than a century and quarter
II has borne blossoms of delicate, sea-
shell pink. This the master of Mount YER
non. In honor of his mother named the
Mary washington rose. Upon another rose
tree in the northeast corner he bestowed
the name of the little dark-haired, dark
eyed, pink-cheeked maiden who fitted
about her grandmother's distinguished
husband, while he labored among his
joieed in the Mount Vernon gardens as
fondly as did he, and who, in sunshine
and shadow, loved him always and feared
him not at all Both these historic rose
bushes are about six feet in height and
both bloom from early spring until late
autumn
1.-THE Nellie GUSTS rose is as white as
snow 1t Is of the double variety, with
thick, soft vevety petals, and a perfume
Adaa tQafF a
tradition preserved by the slaves of the
plantation, and by them handed down to
the illustrious representatives of the
houses of Washington and Custis, 1t was
within the shadow of this rose-bush that
Lawrence Lewis, favcr1te nephew OF
Washingtons, told Nellie Custis that he
loved her and received her promise that
she would be his wife. This promise came
to fulhIment at early candle-light' on
February % 1799-a day as bright and
genial as an early May day. On this, the
last anniversary of his life, 1.-The general
gave In the marriage service the brides
hand to his nephew, who was tall ana
finely proportional, and bore striking
resemblance to his mothers illustriou5
brother.
wherefore. though to this day the rose
bush has kept the secret of the charming
eourtship that led to a supremely happy
hNiiNaAS -
later lovers a magic influence. This be-
| neacent spell was first discovered by a
visiting friend Of the youthful Mrs.
| Lewis who presented to her hesitatng
lover an exquisite rose from this BUSH
with results satisfactory to both. Since
then countless other maidens, by varying
methods. have obtained for their timid
or Indifferent sweethearts blossom or
a bud from this charmed rosetree.
n
Vernon. from years OF experience and
observation. is firm believer in the
matchmaking powers of this rose.
Though still on the sunny side of middle
life. he is a gallant of the old school,
| and feels no small degree of pride In the
happy marriages which he as CUSTODIAN
of the rose, has assisted in bringing about.
However, he confesses to at least one
matrimonial experiment that later proved
a failure Not long ago, woman visit
Ing the beautiful old garden said to him:
Five years ago l followed your IN
struetions in reference to the Nellie Gusts
rose. They brought me husband now
wish to know whether this garden affords
| ANYTHING that will enable me to get rid OF
him.
with a twinkle in his eyes and In the
| sympathetic tones that betokehed thS
warm hearted Hibernian, Gardener Whe-
Ian replied: NO, madam. fou nave u
get an axe for that
"If unable to present to her falterlng
lover one of its roses or buds, maiden
should tell him the story OF the rose tree
| within its shadow, or within what might
he considered hearing distance or 1t. me
smell is said to be potent, also, If the
youth who does not know his own mind
can be brought near enough just to inhale
the fragrance of its blossoms When all
the roses have fallen, the maiden desper-
ately in earnest yet has an additional
resource to gather a few of the petals
and contrive to place them under her
sweethearts pillow"
AT SOUTHERN CLUB.
AT the table d'hote dinner to be served
this evening in the rathskeller the follow
/ ,,,t11 1aa yandarad nv "a l.