Well, I'd start with the book "Minnesota Gardens" by Susan Davis Price, which is full of useful info for you in your era. Then Google "Minnesota gardens" and see many more threads to track down. Minnesota was surprisingly active in horticulture from that era on and you should be able to find a lot of good info.

Thank you for the reply! I will give the book a look.

MJ

I am restoring an old convent garden in California. My garden was planted in 1865 by the Sisters of Mercy from Ireland. I have pictures posted on the Garden Guides web site under my profile, user name is "joyfell". http://www.gardenguides.com/ The Convent garden was meant to be very formal, but through many periods of neglect has become less so. Miles of Boxwood hedge make it most costly maintenace wise. Somewhere I have some articles I will find to forward to you.