84 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN. BULLETIN 
divide the various plots, and each intersection is marked by 
a square basin from which spouts a single jet of water. These 
pools are surrounded on four sides by large dome-shaped, 
latticed retreats covered with climbing roses. One of the nine 
plots is devoted entirely to roses of both bush and standard 
variety. Four broad stairs lead to a second formal garden, 
consisting of three distinct plots which are again divided into 
quarters. Here also the central feature of each plot is a pool. 
These plots are unique in that they are composed entirely of 
various species and varieties of dwarf. evergreens closely 
planted in geometric patterns and clipped level. The dark 
green of the evergreens serves to bring out the design of the 
beds. From this garden four ramps lead to a higher level, the 
southern boundary of the formal gardens, planted to an ave- 
nue of plane trees. A moat separates the two gardens just de- 
scribed from a third which adjoins the chateau. This garden 
is composed of flower beds of various designs surrounded by 
hedges of box two feet high. Two specimens of the Fortune’s 
palm (Trachycarpus excelsa) are planted in this garden, but 
their location in the design is a question. Ramps of greater 
dimensions, bordered by trees clipped square, lead up to a 
point of vantage from which all three gardens can be viewed. 
A heavy border planting to screen certain buildings on adjoin- 
ing estates would improve the appearance of the gardens of 
Villandry. 
Continuing west from Villandry, but on the north bank of 
the River Loire, stands the castle of Langeais, considered one 
of the best examples of military architecture in France. The 
base of this chateau was once washed by the River Loire, but 
the river is now confined to its channel by a system of levees. 
To the rear of the castle is a court, surrounded on three sides 
by buildings, containing a square parterre which, in the sum- 
mer of 1919, was not planted. 
Recrossing the Loire to the south and a few miles west is 
the chateau of Usse, built in the fifteenth and sixteenth cen- 
turies. It stands on a low hill, and ramps lead down to the 
gardens beneath. The setting of the building against a solid 
green background of trees and the ivy-clad balustrades of the 
ramps are pleasing features of this chateau. 
The chateau of Azay-la-Rideau stands in the midst of fine 
groves of trees, and, as at Chenonceaux, an avenue of planes 
leads from the gate to the main entrance of the building. The 
rich and elegant ornamentation of the doors and windows and 
the towers at the corners of the building reflected in the ponds 
and moats of placid water make a charming picture. Azay-la- 
Rideau and Chinon, a distance of approximately twelve miles, 
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