DecMnber 12, 1B67. I 



journaij of horticulture and cottage gardener. 



445 



last described, while the yocng shoots in siunmer Beem as 

 attractive as tlioac of the Furze. 



Willows are not such favourites as the plants just named, 

 but in severe winters all the kinds are laid under coutributiou. 



Of Brambles and Briars, the former certainly are partaken of 

 when in a younR state, and largo beds are eometimea killed ; 

 but of the latter I am not able to say anything. 



Scotch and Spruce Fir, and similar kinds, are all greedily 

 devoured when in a small state, and within roach. The bark 

 of trees ot any cunaiderable size, however, seoma to be less 

 palatable than other things. 



Ash and Hazel are both great favourites, especially the 

 former. 



Oak, Elm, and Alder, are not so much sought after os Ash 

 and Hazel, yet are not exempt from attack. 



Of Maple, lieoch, and Hornbeam, I have not had so much ex- 

 perience, and, tberc'fore, cannot say anything. 



Poplar, Dogwood, and Birch, are not generally attacked, but 

 are all liable to suffer in hard weather, where rabbits are 

 numerous. 



Yew and Juniper, contrary to what might be expected, are 

 very often much eaten by rabbits, notwithstanding the sup- 

 posed poisonous quality of the first named. 



Elder gonorally escapes, it being, I think, about the last 

 tree they will attack either in the young or advanced state. 



Amongst plants of less height, the young growth of the 

 Heath is eagerly sought after, and the plants are often killed. 

 On dry ground Nettles and Foxglove often escape, and on wet 

 or damp ground, the Scutellaria nodosa, a rampant plant 3 or 

 i feet high, is seldom interfered with, as is likewise the Sedge, 

 bnt the soft Kush is laid under contribution ; and Grasses of 

 all kinds, and most other herbaceous plants suffer in like 

 manner where the number of rabbits is great. 



The above being only a hasty glance at the subject, perhaps 

 some one better versed in it will state how the more choice and 

 ornamental shrubs and trees fare. A knowledge of those which 

 are proper for planting as cover for game is much wanted. — 

 H. B. 



NOTES ON SOME OF THE GARDENS IN PARIS. 



{Concluded fivm page 401 .) 



My next visit was to the Jardin des I'lantes, the horticultural 

 portion of which presents much that is worthy of notice by 

 English gardeners. Scientific men of European celebrity have 

 received their education at this place. Tbo gardens were laid 

 out in the year Ki.'i."), and Buffon, the celebrated naturalist, 

 became director, in 17S2. The animals preserved at Versailles 

 were transferred to this place, and the collection has now 

 become very numerous. The bedding-out is extensive, and 

 like all other gardens which I saw about I'aris, is on the mixed 

 system. Great numbers of bulbs and annuals are grown here. 

 The conservatories, which are largo and very old-fashioned, 

 contained numerous Palms, Camellias, Oranges, itc. 



Not far from the Jardin des Plantes is the great wine market, 

 near the Bordeaux new railway, occupying many acres of ground. 



I next called on M. Charles Verdier, the celebrated Hose 

 grower. Hue de M:ircli(j aux Chevaux, and was fortunate in 

 finding him at home. 1 was shown all over his extensive 

 grounds, in which are vast numbers of Koses, principally on 

 their own roots, Gladioluses, Pieonies, and other nursery stock. 

 In the houses are large numbers of young Palms. 



Next day being Sunday, I went to the Madeleine chnrch, and 

 afterwards by train to Versailles. In order to see as much of 

 the country as possible, I mounted one of the third class car- 

 riages, which aio 6xed on the top of the second class. The ' 

 embankments by the side of this lino are planted with choice 

 trees and shrubs, and their efleot is delightful, offering a re- 

 markable contrast with what we usually see in the eastern 

 counties of England. From this railway may be seen hundreds 

 of acres of vineyards. The Vines aro about 5 feet high, and 

 about the same distance apart, but the crop was gathered at the 

 time I iiassed. Large vegetable gardens may also be seen from 

 this line, but the cultivators are not very particular about keep- 

 ing down weeds. 



About six or eight miles from Paris the country begins to pre- 

 sent a more picturesque appearance. Fine woods with the foliage 

 of various shades of red, yellow, and brown, and beautifully un- 

 dulated groun 1, with little villages in the valleys, and elegant 

 ch.'iteaux on the tops of the hills, afforded a striking contrast 

 to the country from which I started. Just beyond the station 

 of Puteaux, the hue traverses elevated ground, and affords an 



extensive view of Paris, the valley of 'the Seine, and the Boia 

 de Boulogne. Mont Valerien, the ba.se of which is skirted by 

 the railway near the station of Suresnos, rises to a height of 

 tioo feet above the Seine, and commands a magnificent view. 

 The train next utopped at St. Cloud, and I regretted not having 

 time to see that tine place. Having passed several more stations 

 I arrived at Versailles, and after a pleasant walk of ab mt half a 

 mile reached the palace. Oh 1 what a palace^what grounds — 

 what fountains — and what pictures. 



The garden front of the palace is 2 101) feet long, and the 

 grand fountains on the top terrace aro in proportiijn to the 

 vast building. Fountains may bo seen in every nook and 

 comer, and in straight Unes as far as the eye can see. I under- 

 stood that the underground work, where all the water-pipes are 

 laid, is almost as wonderful and extensive as the works above. 

 I forget how many fountains there are, bnt it was to this place 

 that the late lUike of Devonshire sent Sir Joseph Paxton to learn 

 all he could before operations were commenced at Chatsworth. 

 The long avenues which run in every direction, and reach as 

 far as the eye can see. are magnificent, and when once seen will 

 never be forgotten. One of the terrace gardens is all Box-work, 

 the opposite side being planted with flowers. There is not bo 

 much real flower garden here as I expected to see, and in what 

 there is Pelargoniums and other bedding plants generally used 

 in England aro all mixed in the beds. The pictures in the 

 palace are a most extraordinary sight, and if placed in one 

 straight line I was told they would extend eight miles in length. 



It was stated that 35,000 people were in the grounds at the 

 time of my visit. I must confess that I was much surprised to 

 see the way in which Sundays are spent in France. I saw men 

 ploughing, the opening of sewers, the building of houses, shops 

 all open, all sorts of goods carted through the streets, and 

 dancing, card playing, <tc.,in the evening. 



In looking over my notes I find there are several memoranda 

 which I have missed, one of which is, that I saw at the Lux- 

 embourg gardens some hundreds of the common sparrow, as 

 tame as barndoor fowls. It was a pleasing sight to me to see 

 some of my old friends so tame, unmolested, and well cared for. 

 They are well fed by the public, and on one old gentleman they 

 alight on his arms to be fed. — J. Pebkiss, Gardener to Lord 

 Heiiiiikcr, Thuinliam Hall, Suffolk. 



WHEN IS THE STONING PERIOD' 

 Wilt, you give mo some definite idea of what is meant by 

 the common phrase "the stoning period " of Peaches? Assum- 

 ing a Peach to bloom on the 1st of April, and to be ripe on the 

 1st of September, when may this stoning period be expected, 

 and how long does it last ? — G. S. 



[The time of stoning with Peaches varies according to the 

 season, and the time of perfecting the stone also varies; but 

 as to the fact, there need be no doubt. After the flowers have 

 fallen, and the fruit has set, it will swell gradually until it is about 

 the size of a Wolnut, and then for a time swelling will cease ; 

 and it is well not to over-excite the trees at that period. On 

 examining the fruit you will find the stone i.s forming, and 

 until that is firm and hard there will be little swelling of the 

 fruit, but as soon as the stone is hard the fruit swells fast to 

 maturity.] 



NOTES AND GLEANINGS. 



Thk next GAnDESEiis' Examixatiox by the Royal Horti- 

 cultural Society is to commence on the 17th inst. Candi- 

 dates for the Associateship of the Society must previously 

 have passed a preliminary examination by the Society of Arts ; 

 but any candidate recommended by a Fellow of the Royal Hor- 

 ticultural Society, or by the Director of a public garden, may 

 compete for certificates. 



Messrs. Svtton & Sons, Reading, have received an 



official annoimcement that the jurors have awarded them the 

 only silver medal for seeds in Group IX., classes fS 1 and ^.>. Their 

 contribution included a most complete collection of Grasses, 

 both seeds and dried specimens ; also samples of agricultural, 

 horticultural, and floricuUural seeds. 



WORK FOR THE W^EK. 



KITCHEN GAKDRN. 



CoxTisiE to trench, dig, and ridge every foot of ground at 

 liberty when frost permits. This is particularly to be observed 



