Le Jardin Fleuriste de la Ville de Paris. 65 



host of such plants all in fine condition, and arranged as closely and 

 well as possible, everything being clean and orderly. Then, on the 

 other side, another very fine span-roofed structure for palms. And 

 such a noble collection of healthy palms in a fresh green state ! They 

 were arranged in three longitudinal beds, while all along the sides 

 of the house ran a belt of the smaller and younger kinds, plunged in 

 tan to give them a little encouragement. To look along the path- 

 way between these long beds was like glancing into a fresh young 

 tropical palm grove, in such perfect health were the plants. When 

 it is considered that many other great houses are in the garden, 

 and a large field of pits and frames, the reader will agree that 

 examining or relating the particular interest of each subject is out 

 of the question, and particularly when it is stated that there are 

 nearly 400 kinds of palms alone in this establishment. Though 

 it is essentially a business garden, and one in which an almost innu- 

 merable host of plants have to be annually developed, no slovenli- 

 ness of arrangement or culture was apparent in any part. The 

 plants generally are clean, well-grown, and well-arranged. Seldom 

 indeed do we see such efficient economy of space in gardens as 

 is the rule in these houses. Under the benches are packed 

 quantities of Caladiums, Fuchsias, Cannas, and hosts of things 

 that may be efficiently preserved in such places in winter; and 

 even after the great Arums, &c., are potted off in spring, they 

 are thickly placed underneath for a short time, every available 

 inch being taken advantage: of. Some of the houses are large 

 lean-to's, and instead of the back wall being left naked, or with 

 one shelf placed against it at the top, there are a series of shelves 

 one above another, six altogether, and on these a multitude of 

 plants are accommodated — Coleuses, &c., in the warm houses; 

 Lantanas, and the like, in the cool ; they keep readily enough on 

 these during the winter, and, if drawn a little or discoloured, a few 

 weeks of bright sun in spring in the frames before putting out 

 in the open air, soon puts that to rights. In the large span-roofed 

 curvilinear houses, with a narrow passage through the centre, 

 there are a series of shelves affixed to erect irons on each side of the 



