252 



WINBOW OAIiDENING. 



" They are of the greatest utility in these decorations, and are largely used in all 

 parts. So are most all kinds of fine-leaved plants, from Phormium to Ficus. 

 Young Palms are also cultivated to an enormous extent about Paris ; and so is 

 every green and graceful-leaved plants, from the Cycads to the common trailing 

 Ivy, — used to make living screens of. 



•' The wide staircase at the Hotel de Ville, ascending from the entrance hall, had 

 also a charming array of plants so placed that the visitors seemed to pass through 

 a sort of floral grove ; fine-leaved plants arching over, but not rising very high, 

 and having a profusion of flowering things among and beneath them. 



"As the bank of Primu- 

 las and the groups of tall 

 plants were placed opposite 

 this staircase, and reflected 

 in the great mirror behind, 

 the effect when descend- 

 ing the staircase was fasci- 

 nating indeed. A still finer 

 effect was produced in a 

 room near the great dancing 

 saloon, and through which 

 the guests passed to the 

 magnificent ball room. 

 Against each pillar in this 

 saloon was placed a palm 

 with high and arching leaves 

 like those of the Sieforthia 

 elegans, and others with 

 larger leaves and pendulous 

 leaflets. These meeting, 

 or almost meeting across, 

 produced a very graceful 

 and imposing effect, while 

 round them were arranged 

 other plants, distinguished 

 either by beauty of leaf or 

 Fi„ e.-Begonia. flower, and the groups at 



each pillar connected by single rows of dwarf plants, closely placed however, and 

 well mossed in, as in the case of the more important groups. 



" The very close placing of the plants is a peculiar part of the arrangement. 

 You can not notice any dividing marks or gaps. Yet there is no awkward crowding. 

 " These arrangements were infinitely varied at the great balls, both public and 

 private; rocks, water grottoes, and similar decorations, were occasionally intro- 

 duced, both indoors and in the open air, and in the gardens behind private houses. 



