GHENT, 41 



the beautiful tiger-spotted and Canadian lilies (L. tigri- 

 nura and L. Canadense), which were also in flower. The 

 false acacia (Robinia pseud-acacia), which with us ap- 

 pears commonly in the form of a large shrub, or at best as 

 a small tree, is here nearly 50 feet high, and, of one tree, at 

 three feet from the ground,, the stem measured 4 feet 9 

 inches in circumference. 



A department is set apart as a winter garden, or as an 

 evergreen grove, the trees consisting of hollies, savines, cy- 

 presses, pines, and evergreen oaks. 



There is a large pond for aquatic plants, supplied with 

 water from the river Lys, which washes the inclosure wall 

 on one side of the garden. During the domination of the 

 French, this river Lys gave name to the Department in 

 which Ghent is situate. 



The rosary of this garden is extensive. The roses are 

 in general trained tree- wise, from three to six feet high ; 

 those with slender stems bein"; furnished with stakes. 

 This mode, it may be noticed, answers many kinds of 

 roses better than keeping them clipped down like bushes. 



There is a quarter appropriated to fruit-trees, especially 

 pear-trees, of which the collection is ample, having been 

 furnished by MM. Thouin of the Jardin des Plantes at 

 Paris. They are planted close, or at six feet apart ; but 

 being trained in the pyramidal form or en quenouille, this 

 distance proves sufficient, at least where fruit is not the 

 principal object. Some of the more slender stems were 

 furnished with stakes; but high winds are not here of 

 frequent occurrence. Several of the trees shewed a 

 sprinkling of fruit, and we were told that in some sea- 

 sons they are much more productive. A large specimen 

 of the weeping cherry, standing on its own roots, is distin- 

 guished by the whole plant inclining to droop, and by the 

 fruit having long stalks. Against the garden wall are 



