308 



THE PARKS AND GARDENS OF PARIS. [Chap. XIX. 



near the Don and the Volga, where it forms bushes and dwarf 

 trees, frequently accompanied with suckers." 



Without attempting to throw any light on the origin of the 

 Paradise, M. Carriere of the Jardin des Plantes has studied its 

 characteristics, compared them with those of the Doucin, and 

 described both in the ' Flore des Serres ' : — 



Paradise, 



" Roots much ramified and tidy, short, 

 remaining near the surface, and never 

 tap-rooted. Shrub, bush-like, much 

 branched, the branchlets rather long, 

 and with a lateral tendency, the adults 

 covered with a smooth bark of a reddish 

 colour; lightly pubescent in the case 

 of the young shoots. Leaves lanceolate, 

 elliptical, of a light green above and 

 velvety beneath, finely denticulated, 

 acuminate at the ends, but principally 

 at the base. Petiole broadish and 

 channelled. Calyx, with divisions 

 acuminated and recurved, often con- 

 torted, as long as the peduncle. Petals 

 straightly elongated at the base, faintly 

 keeled, borne on a thin base, prolonged 

 into a sort of keel. Ovary on a slender 

 base, pubescent. Fruit higher than 

 brond, lightly ribbed, skin white, flesh 

 sweetish, almost insipid; ripening in 

 July." It flowers more abundantly, 

 and eight days earlier, than the Doucin. 



DouciN. 



" Roots rather long and strong, tap- 

 rooted. Tree not much ramified, 

 straight in its growth, with branchlets 

 short, large, in adult specimens covered 

 with a deep dull brown bark ; very 

 tomentose, and whitened in the case of 

 the young shoots. Leaves broadly oval 

 or nearly oboval, lightly blistered, 

 shining on the upper and pubescent on 

 the lower surface, rather broadly den- 

 ticulated, scarcely acuminate at the 

 apex, abruptly contracted and round at 

 the base. Petiole broad, scarcely chan- 

 nelled. Calyx with divisions usually 

 horizontnl, occasionally recurved, rather 

 large. Petals suboval, nearly blistered, 

 keeled, borne on a base short and 

 rather broad. Ovary on a stout sup- 

 port, covered with a tomentose down, 

 white and thick. Fruit de])ressed, 

 broader than high, not ribbed, the skin 

 of an intense green, marked here and 

 there with brownish spots : flesh of a 

 high and agreeable flavour ; ripening 

 in Auaust." 



The Paradise stock has been known in France for between 200 

 and 300 years. The Doucin would appear to be not quite so 

 ancient, but has been known for at least 160 years. It is used to 

 form low trees, pyramids, wall, espalier, and even standard trees 

 less vigorous and more suitable for gardens than those grafted on 

 the Crab stock and occasionally for cordons on bad and poor dry 

 soils. It is most probably a vigorous and deep-rooting variety of 

 the same species as the Paradise, healthy everywhere, and 

 succeeding well where, in consequence of its habit of surface- 

 rooting, the Paradise would suffer and prove useless. Apples 

 grafted upon the Doucin come into bearing earlier than upon the 

 Crab, and it is admirable for all forms of garden-trees in size 

 intermediate between the very dwarf cordons and bushes and the 

 tall and vigorous orchard-trees. 



