FLOWERS OF THE FRENCH RIVIERA. 



93 



decoration ; the latter are amongst the most valuable export 

 flowers. Yellow Marguerites bloom all the year round, but the 

 bright golden flowers are especially sought after from December 

 to May. Pruning tends to concentrate the blooming period to 

 winter and early spring. 



The habit and foliage of the yellow variety are just the same 

 as those of the vigorous white Marguerite, Comtesse de Chambord, 

 but the pale gold colour of its rays gives quite a peculiar charm 

 to it. It is generally called " Anthemis " on the Riviera ; it is 

 known also as the " Etoile d'Or " Marguerite. 



It is said to have originated at the Golfe Jouan from a chance 

 seedling, but nothing absolutely certain is knowm on the subject. 

 The plant is mostly multiplied by cuttings, which strike easily. 

 It grow T s into large bushes of three feet in height, and as much 

 in diameter, wmich are generally shortlived, the flowering power 

 of plants more than three years old being in most cases 

 apparently exhausted. 



The flowers, wdien borne on young vigorous plants, sometimes 

 exceed three inches in diameter ; they are scentless, and with 

 proper care can be kept fresh in water for ten days or more. 



Herbaceous Plants : Pinks, Bulbs, Mignonette, 

 Violets, etc. 



From time immemorial perpetual-flowering Pinks have been 

 grown on the Riviera, as they are in Italy, and especially in 

 Spain ; but until the last twenty years they w r ere only considered 

 as household favourites, kept in pots on window-sills or in small 

 gardens. A few gardeners used to raise some plants for sale. 



Since the fast trains have been established, which carry the 

 Riviera flowers to Paris in twenty hours and to London in less than 

 two days, the cultivation of Pinks, both in the open air and under 

 glass, has made a wonderful progress. Acres and acres are now 

 devoted to the growth of Pinks about Toulon, Hyeres, Cannes, 

 Antibes, Nice, and Beaulieu. Hundreds of glass houses, or 

 temporary structures simply made of two rows of glass frames 

 supported by wooden rails, give to the best class of winter-flower- 

 ing Pinks the help of some additional heat and of some useful 

 shelter. 



But acres upon acres are grown without any glass at all, straw 

 mats or canvas screens only being used to protect the plants from 



