324 HORTICULTURAL TOUR. 



es, like so many vegetable balloons. Two men were now 

 employed, on step-ladders, in the work of shearing off the 

 twigs that had presumed to discompose the rotundity of 

 for jn. The apology for this sort of treatment of orange- 

 trees, is to be found partly in ancient custom, and partly 

 m the necessity of restraining the exuberance of growth, 

 with the view of accommodating great numbers of trees in 

 the prescribed limits of the winter-repository. The dispo- 

 sition to form numerous flower-buds is likewise thus pro- 

 moted. The flowers only are sought after, being much 

 used, not only in perfumery, but in giving flavour to sweet- 

 meats or hors-d'eeuvres. The fruit is never seen upon such 

 trees, nor is it desired. The winter-repository, for it can 

 scarcely be called a greenhouse, is situate at the lower extre- 

 mity of the summer orangery. It is of great size, being 

 170 feet long, by 27 in breadth. At one end of it stands a 

 cast in metal, of the celebrated Farnese Hercules, the pon- 

 derous figure revolving on a pivot, so as to be easily pre- 

 sented in different aspects. 



From the orangery, a wide berceau walk, covered with 

 hornbeams, conducts to the remains of the chateau. On 

 each side of this covered walk are some very beautiful 

 evergreen trees, particularly thuyas, both oriental and oc- 

 cidental, of uncommon magnitude. 



We dined along with Mr Chatillon at the Pavilion, as 

 the remaining wing of the chateau is now called, and were 

 served on rich ancient plate, with such attendance as con- 

 vinced us that the Duke had been very particular in di- 

 recting attention to be paid to the Society's deputation. 



After dinner, and as soon as we had, according to the 

 continental custom, sipped a cup of very strong coffee, 

 without either sugar or cream, we proposed to visit the 

 gardens of Mr Parmentier, whose fame, as a cultivator of 



