FLOWERS OF THE FRENCH RIVIERA. 



81 



northern parts of Europe in mid- winter, to spread and maintain 

 the reputation of the Riviera as the very place to grow flowers 

 out of doors at the time when they become terribly scarce any - 

 where else. 



I will not venture on a ground already w T ell beaten in 

 attempting to describe the beauties of the Var and of the Mari- 

 time Alps, or in contrasting the vigorous and blooming vegetation 

 of the gardens on the Riviera during the colder months of the 

 vear with the desolate aspect of our pleasure-grounds when 

 covered with snow or beaten by the winter gales. 



I will therefore approach the subject from a purely horticul- 

 tural point of view, and w T ill limit my remarks to a short account 

 of the climatic conditions of the French Riviera, and to a review 

 of the principal kinds of flowers grown there for profit, with brief 

 remarks on the most approved varieties and on the most note- 

 worthy features of cultivation and disposal. 



My endeavour will be to give a faithful account of what is 

 being done in the present year (1893), as it must be borne in mind 

 that the production of, and the trade in, cut flowers are under- 

 going frequent and material changes from one season to the 

 next. 



The mere difference in latitude cannot account sufficiently for 

 so large a discrepancy as exists between the coast of Kent or 

 Sussex and that of Provence. The climatic conditions peculiar 

 to the Riviera must be traced in a large proportion to the effect 

 of the sheltering hills and mountains which keep off the north 

 winds, turn away the currents of cold air, and radiate the heat 

 they receive from the sun on warm clear days. 



Sunshine, in fact, is the great boon of the district. It may be 

 very well said that the main difference between the climate of 

 Southern England and that of the Riviera is not so much in a 

 higher temperature as in a greater amount of sunlight. In fact, 

 the proportion of sunny to overcast days is nearly three times 

 greater in Cannes than it is in London, and although the total 

 rainfall is nearly the same at both places, the number of wet days 

 is about three times greater in England. 



The sea acts also as a moderator. Its deep waters never 

 sink, even in the middle of winter, to a lower temperature than 

 48° Fahrenheit. All the coast, and more especially the head- 



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