The Washington times., 1914-05-31
Plants Brought FROM All Over
World by Illinois Congress-
man and Wife to Beautify
Their Home.
Grounds Make a Safe Refuge
For Songbirds, With Foun.
tain and Great Crystal Gaz-
ing Globe.
By MARY EDNA MOVES.

There may be women in Washington
subject Of gardening and who may love
to make gardens. but doubt IL there
is any ore who knows more about this
subject than Mrs. Henry T. Rainsy,
wife of Congressman Rainey Of Illinois.
The making OF the Rainey garden has
not been a pastirle, fad. or a fancy,
with either Mrs. Rainey or Mr.. Rainey,
II has been a life work. That is the
real rsason for its success. They
planned their garden with the same care
they would have given a home, for the
garden is their home. During ths last
eleven years that Mr.. Rainey has been
in Congress. they have spent at least
six months of the year In Washington,
and the remainder of the time at Car
rollton, and during the season when
their garden is the spot that claims
them during the greater part Of their
waking hours. Congressman and Mrs
Rainey are both accomplished artists
with the brush. as well as being mag
ters of landscape gardening, and theiy
garden is their masterpiece.
Libraries have been ransacked for
books on plant and insect life and there
are few flowers that have not been OBJ
tanned and given q trial in Illinois soil.
and incidentally there is no destroying
insect which can escape with its life
from the Rainey garden. Many original
ideas have been carried out in this gar
den, which has a personality OF Its own,
as all gardens should have, and do have
when they are the result OF care anu
thought ard real love of the work,
rather than n bought and paid product.
A =
When one enters Walnut Hall, the
home of the Raineys, he Is still in sight
Of the town Of Carrullton. The entrance
to the old Colonial place IS particularly
attractive, and in keeping with every
detail of the place. Two massive square
stone posts. from which swing heavy
iron gates. form the portals through
which you pass up long. well-kept
driveway to the front of the house. The
house is one of the two-story anG 4
half rambling type, built of yellow
brick many years ago By Mr.. Rainey's
grandfather. wide porch extends
across the entire front of the house, and
during the spring and summer rambler
roses and blossoming vines form a riot
Gus mass Of color on the sides and !
posts. In the wide center hall into |
which open the various rooms OF the |
house is found the same type of furni- |
ture which was in vogue at the time !
the place was built, Mrs. Rainey hav-
ing made a point of retaining the cid !
Colonial style in every detail of her |
home. In addition to the original fur
of the home, she has added |
many interesting things which she
he 70
of china and another Of bedspreads are
among her most valued as well as inter-
asting belongings.
A wide lawn. perfectly kept. extends |
FOR several acres across the front of the |
place. Directly in front of the house !
S huge fiagpole. from which Old Glory |
waves in grand estate every day of the |
year. Huge trees. from which the place |
.ook its name, guard the house on either |
side and form a veritable wall about the |
estate, which comprises nearly 800 acres. |
Grass Like Velvet.
The garden proper is to the right Of
house is a velvet-like grass walk under /,
, vine covered pergola strung with eiec- |
Tic lights. This walk leads directly to !
he large fountain. In which live count !
ess gold fish which dart IN and out |
,mcng the lilies. The fountain Is cleo |
rically lighted and at night is partic- !
ilarly beautiful Little wonder tnat an 1
invitation to dinner party at the home |
If Congressman and Mrs. Rainey is
,leasurbably anticipated.
Another feature Of the garden is the |
yazing globe which has been recently |
Idded. When the globe was placed IN |
he garden. the stone pillar or rest for !.
t was set in place and as the sun
vent down the globe could be arranged. |
t was left in the grass until the next !
lay Getting up very early. as all
gardeners do, Mrs. Rainey discovered |
o her amusement that the larks and |
quirrels were having a parade around |
md around the globe, apparently admir-
ng themselves with much stisfaction !
md thereby showing their approval of !
hs newest arrival In their haven. The
,arden is a real sanctuary for the birds,
which find houses and feod placed in
he trees about Walnut Hall Ill during
he year. They seem to know that no
,ame law Is needed there and they