, 286 Notes and Recollections of a Tour. 



wise of the bed, each of them containing ten or twelve plants, 

 which had been grafted in August, and which were now 

 nearly ready for removal. All the brick and wood work was 

 white- washed, — the surface of the beds raked level, and the 

 walks perfectly clean. Instead of being made a place of con- 

 fusion, as it too often is, much to the injury of the plants, 

 the pfopagating department was a perfect model of neatness. 

 No nursery establishment that we visited presented so much 

 system, and we only wish that our own cultivators might 

 have the opportunity to inspect a place so worthy of imitation. 



Our time being limited, our walk through the grounds was 

 rather hasty. A great number of fine trees and shrubs 

 are planted out in groups, and on the borders of the walks, 

 and a small spot of ground is entirely devoted to the magno- 

 lia, to which splendid tribe the proprietor has given much 

 attention, and raised one fine variety, M. Soulangedy^a. We 

 saw upwards of twenty species and varieties, among them 

 some very fine specimens. Half shady aspects are selected, 

 and heath soil mixed with the loam, which is naturally too 

 stiff for a majority of the kinds. In this way, all the Amer- 

 ican plants are grown to a large size, and in great beauty. 



We left no place with more regret than Fremont. The 

 hearty welcome with which we were received, — the kindness 

 with which we were entertained — united with our respect for 

 the skill and intelligence of the gentlemanly proprietor, made 

 us only wish for another day to devote to an inspection of a 

 place so full of interest. We shall ever bear a vivid recol- 

 lection of our visit to M. Soulange Bodin. 



Versailles., Sept. 20/A. — A day only was devoted to our visit 

 to this magnificent place, without at once reflecting upon its 

 extent, and the interest of the objects to be seen, includmg the 

 National Museum of Paintings and Statuary, which had 

 been collected by the king, occupying almost the entire pal- 

 ace. It was a morning of brilliant sunshine and beauty, 

 when we took our seat in the cars, on the Versailles Kail- 

 road, and after a ride of about twelve miles, we were set 

 down within a short walk of the palace. Our object was to 

 take a hasty view of the collection of paintings, intending to 

 occupy a larger portion of our time with the garden. But, 

 alas, we were deceived both in the extent and magnificence 



