344 



THE FLORIST. 



THE PARIS EXHIBITION. 



In the latter part of September I visited the French metropolis, accom- 

 panied by a friend, to have a peep, after the example of many of my 

 countrymen, at the world's fair, called the Palais de Y Industrie, and 

 well does the exhibition at Paris merit the name. It is a palace, and 

 the industry that has filled it to overflowing, with such stores of " goods," 

 is in itself a source of wonder ; it differs in several features from the 

 exhibition in Hyde Park in 1851, and, perhaps, some persons versed 

 in the art of nice comparison might point out wherein that was superior 

 to the present ; but I must say, after a diligent examination, my con- 

 viction is, that it does great credit to those who have designed and 

 erected the beautiful structures, and equally so to universal industry 

 which has filled them with so much beauty and usefulness. In the 

 centre of the principal building is a noble fountain, surrounded by a 

 well kept and often renovated parterre of flowers, the Asters, chiefly of 

 a dwarf kind, being very numerous, and very gay and fine. The sea- 

 son has been favourable for these flowers, and everywhere in Paris they 

 Virere in profusion in pots, but I was told that they are grown in the 

 open ground, a ,d when in full flower lifted, and three or more plants 

 put into a pot and well watered, the colours being carefully chosen to 

 make a good display. But the peculiar feature of Paris, and, indeed, 

 of France, in a floricultural way, is the number of large Orange trees, 

 some in boxes six feet square, all trained to one shape, like a bottle 

 brush, which gives them a stiff formal appearance. The flowers are 

 gathered and sold for distillation, so that there was but little fruit. 

 The Pomegranate and the Nerium are also cultivated largely, and with 

 the Orange, are the most generally used for ornament. 



In the immediate neighbourhood of the Palace there has been a con- 

 tinuous " Grand Horticultural Exhibition," got up and carried on at 

 the expense of a number of " the trade." Amongst the plants I saw 

 none that could be called a specimen in England. There \vas a nice 

 display of Gladioli and of Asters, and of Dahlias in pots, which made 

 a pretty show ; but the Dahlia flowers were small, the plants were 

 grafted to induce blooming in a smafl state. There was also a bank of 

 Pelargoniums, all very simflar, and bearing a strong likeness to 

 *' General Washington." 



The vegetables were numerous and fine, a striking feature being 

 Gourds of various shapes and colours : but the most interesting feature 

 was an extensive display of fruit, chiefly Pears, many of which were 

 fine specimens, and a collection of models, admiiably executed, attracted 

 great attention. One variety was of enormous size, and the fruit must 

 have weighed 6 or 7 lbs. each. 



In one part was an extensive collection of tools and implements of 

 horticulture, heating apparatus, seeds, &c., &c., amongst which some 

 neat small pots made with a nick from the rim to the hole in the 

 bottom, and which are used for propagating, appeared worth the atten- 

 tion of amateurs in England, as furnishing an easy and sure means of 

 increasing any favourite plant- without the necessity of hot-beds, bottom 

 heat, or bell glasses. 



