TRANSACTIONS OF c;ALESBURG HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'. 365 



• 



" We can never hope, with our climate, to have such parks and lawns. 

 The atmosphere of Europe, especially in England and Scotland, contin- 

 ually charged with moisture, is especially adapted to the growth of grass 

 and to perfect lawns, while our grass is often scorched with excessive 

 heat." 



The Professor then gave an interesting account of his travels in 

 Scotland and England. The parks in and around London are well kept 

 and arranged, but do not compare with those of Paris, the French 

 excelling all other nations in the beauty of their parks and lawns. He 

 noted with sorrow the fact that Central Park, N. Y., is rapidly going to 

 waste. It is a bad sign when the authorities of any city neglect its parks 

 and refuse to assist in educating the tastes of its citizens. 



In conclusion the Professor mentioned the Black Hamburg grape 

 vine, at Hampton Court, called the " Queen's Vine," which is thirty 

 inches in circumference and trained into a grapery which it fills. 



Mrs. Standish being called upon, said she had tried to observe all 

 the interesting things possible on her visit to Europe. The first interest- 

 ing feature of the trip through England was a profusion of blue flowers 

 growing along the route, which afterward proved to be Hyacinths of 

 the single variety, which grew wild. The European Holly grows every- 

 where, and the Laurel, with its handsome, glossy leaf, abounds in the 

 parks and adds greatly to their beauty. The parks in and around Lon- 

 don are ornamented similar to our American parks, but they have the 

 advantage of a finer climate. Among the bedders there the variegated 

 Geranium grows nicely. The finest bedding was found in Paris, the 

 French displaying better taste and greater skill in arrangement. The 

 ribbon borders were very fine and arranged with great care and beauty. 

 The variegated Geranium seemed also to be the favorite in France. A 

 notable feature in Paris was the fact that all unoccupied ground was 

 beautified in some manner, and made a very favorable impression upon 

 strangers. At Versailles the bedding plants as well as the orangeries 

 were very nice, and perfect arrangements were made for wintering the 

 orange plants inside. At the artificial Swiss lake, that sprung into being 

 in a single night, to gratify a desire of Louis XIV., there is a beautiful 

 avenue bordered with Linden trees, v/hich form a perfect arch. They 

 comprise every variety of the Linden possible to be obtained, and by 

 frequent pruning the effect is very fine. 



The above is but a meager outline of the narration by Professor and 

 Mrs. Standish, which was replete with interesting minutiae, which should 

 be heard to be appreciated. 



On motion of Mr. Hale, the subject chosen for discussion at the 

 next meeting was, "Effects of Climate on Horticultural Pursuits." 



On motion of Dr. Humphrey the Society then adjourned, to meet 

 on Tuesday evening, January 20th next, at the residence of Mr. David 

 Sanborn, at seven o'clock sharp. 



