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FROM THE BRYANT ROOM ARCHIVES
By Myrna Sloam ©September/October 2007
A View of the Mackay Estate by Stewart Donaldson
Part 12: The Vegetable and Garden Plots
NOTE: This is part 12, in a continuing series, taken from the memoirs of Stewart Donaldson (1907-1994) who grew up on the C.H. Mackay estate in what is now East Hills. Written in the early 1960s, Mr. Donaldson, the son of a coachman/chauffeur on the estate, donated these memoirs to the Bryant Library Local History Collection.
The outside gardens [located near the greenhouses in the northeast section of the estate] were laid out in plots, with grass surrounding each plot, and a road between each plot for easy access. Between the first plot (where the pools were) there was a terrace on which were planted tree-weeping wisterias. In late May, these were a mass of blue hanging blossoms across the entire garden….
The vegetables in the gardens were the usual old standbys. In the spring the hot frames were started by putting in fresh horse manure (about 2 feet deep) then soil over it, and then glass frames over the beds. [These were] left with a thermometer until the temperature reached a steady state. After probably two weeks, when the soil was warm enough, the seeds were planted. This was not done for many plants—only lettuce—due to a lack of space in the greenhouse. Other plants such as early cauliflower, or even early cabbage and broccoli, were raised in the greenhouse and [then] put in hot frames, so you could get early produce. The herbs were also grown in the gardens and were used for plantings, as well as for herb use. These were lavender, mint, sage, dill, parsley, chives and more. North of the hot bed frames (which were north of the bay tree house) were gardens where azaleas, euonymous trees, flowering shrubs and trees were propagated and grown for replacement purposes around the estate.
In the late fall, the outdoor vegetable and garden plots were cleaned of all vegetation, then plowed, harrowed, and planted with rye grass seed. Late in November or early December, well rotted cow manure was spread over each plot and left for the winter. In the spring (early March) the plots were plowed by John Jannotta and his one horse plow. The sides that the plow couldn’t reach, due to the grass edges, were turned over by hand-- by men with spading forks. Each plot was then raked over. Commercial fertilizer [was] spread before each planting and then the early vegetables such as peas, spinach, radishes, turnips, etc., [were planted.] The plots from now on, as each crop was picked and cleaned out, were turned by men with spading forks and re-planted with later vegetables. This went on through the summer. Weeding was done by hand and by hoe. Also, a large
one-wheel cultivator pushed by one man was used.
A great deal of watering was done during the growing season. I can remember standing on the steps of the palm house, looking east across the gardens and see 4 or 5 large sprinklers on at the same time. They would be turned on about 4:00 PM, run until 9 or 9:30 PM, then shut off and the next day moved to another spot. Of course, there was the usual amount of spraying and dusting to control the sucking and chewing pests and insects. Never a dull moment in the garden….
As a young boy I was always interested in flowers and gardening. One time, I guess when I was about 14 years old, I went to Frank Demak (Mackay’s gardener) and told him that I wanted to build a greenhouse. Frank laughed and said it would cost money to build a greenhouse. Well, I wouldn’t give up. I dug a hole about 6 feet deep and about 6 x 9 feet. I put up lumber sides and benches on 3 sides, with a stair on the east side. Then I went to see Frank again. He gave me three, 6 foot x 3 foot hot bed sash, and asked how I was going to heat it. He suggested that I see Mr. Lupton [Farm Supervisor of the Mackay estate] who might have a small stove. I went to Lupton and he said a coal stove would not do, as the coal gasses would kill the flowers.
Now, I went to the plumber, Dan Dickerson, and asked him what he had to heat the greenhouse. He said the only thing he had was a small laundry type coal stove and I could have it if I wanted it. I took it and put it in the greenhouse. I rigged up a chimney. Then, Frank Demak came to look it over and how he did laugh. Both he and Lupton said “you will never get anything, because the coal gas will kill them.” I would not give in. And did I surprise them the next spring with my plants. Snapdragons, tomatoes, peppers cabbage-- everything was wonderful. I was just a persistent nuisance, and I won. That tickled me to death more than I had ever before. Just to think that I had beaten the experts. And, they got a big kick out of it too.
To be continued in future newsletters…..
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Email: localhistory@bryantlibrary.org