REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 53 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



In shrubs and flowers there were many interesting things. Among the flowers 

 were magnificent beds of Japanese anemones and of the European cyclamen, both in 

 full bloom. Much use was made of some of the free flowering begonias, the large beds 

 of which were very fine and full of bloom. One of the most striking of these was 

 Begonia gracilis semperflorens, of which there are rose-coloured and white varieties 

 and one red strain called Vernon. 



One of the most attractive flower beds seen was one of the original form of the 

 China aster, as found growing wild in China. This is a single flower with bright' 

 blue petals and a large yellow centre, and is a most profuse bloomer. It seems singular 

 that after florists have worked on this flower so much during the past half century, 

 and have produced so many varied and beautiful forms, that the original type so 

 long neglected should come back to us now as a first-class novelty. 



The time was all too short to permit of more than a passing glance at a part of 

 the wonderful variety of economic and interesting botanical products with which- this 

 charming place abounds. 



AT BAEOIs" ALPHONSE ROTHSCHILDS. 



On invitation from Col. G. B. Brackett, in charge of the fruit exhibit of the 

 United States, a day was delightfully spent with him and others in inspecting the 

 estate of Baron Rothschilds at Ferrieres, 20 miles from Paris. The estate covers an 

 area of 6 by 20 miles, the greater part of which is used as a large game preserve, 

 where deer and other animals are abundant, and where game birds are seen at every 

 turn. Twelve hundred acres of this area is maintained in the most perfect manner 

 as a park, where a vast number of species and varieties of trees and shrubs find a 

 home. The great masses of Rhododendrons, Laurels, Yews, Aucubas, Hollies, Box and 

 other comparatively tender things, all in the highest condition of health and vigour, 

 demonstrated the highly favourable character of the climate of that district. The 

 most striking feature about this beautiful park is the perfection in which everything 

 is kept ; among the many thousands of trees and shrubs no unsightly forms are met 

 with, and no evidence of sickliness, partial defoliation or neglect, but every specimen 

 retains the original grace and beauty with which it has been endowed by nature, and 

 every object is so placed as to give it sufiicient room to grow without crowding. The 

 w^ealth of varieties was wonderful. The unusual care shown in every particular was 

 evident from the fact that the little lakes and ponds, in which wild water-birds of 

 many sorts disported, had their surface skimmed several times a day by men in boats, 

 to remove fallen leaves which at that time were dropping freely from the overhanging 

 trees. The displays of tropical plants and the massive flowers beds about the palace-like 

 mansion were very effective. 



About 400 men were employed on these grounds, which furnished help sufficient 

 to keep every department in good order. There was a very good aviary, with several 

 buildings specially constructed to suit the habits of the hundreds of different sorts of 

 birds kept there. The fruit garden was a perfect paradise; forty men were employed 

 in it. There were wonderful collections of pears, peaches, nectarines and apples, 

 most of them in full fruit. Many of the trees were trained against walls, but a very 

 large number were grown as cordons, espaliers and pyramids, and nowhere could a 

 misshapen branch or an unnecessary twig be seen, but every specimen was trained 

 on the most approved principles, and' the trees were laden with fruit. 



The vegetable garden, which employed 25 men, covered a considerable area, fur- 

 nishing ample room for the growing of all sorts of vegetables in the open air, while 

 hot-beds and green-houses were available for the growth of such as were too tender 

 to stand outside exposure, and for the growing of vegetables out of season. 



There were splendid green-houses for orchids, roses, ferns, carnations, palms and 

 other plants requiring special temperatures and treatment, where every species was 

 grown under the most favouztible conditions, and other houses provided where the les3 



