442 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
[ May 28, 1885. 
pitted; bat our earliest will not be ready before the end of the month, 
for we have only just stopped the shoots, and shall allow them to break 
again before they are potted. Later plants of these sections will be 
placed in 5 and 6-inch pots as soon as the whole of the large-flowering 
sections are in their largest pots. Ano her good batch of cuttings should 
be inserted of various kind*, and the plants grown on without stopping, 
while others may be pinched twice, and these will be found very service¬ 
able for decoration. A batch of old strol plants should be placed outside 
in rich soil for supplying cuttings during the first week in August for 
flowering in 3 and 6-inch pot s.—B. N. 
INTERNATIONAL HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION 
IN PARIS. 
An International Horticultural Exhibition is being held in Paris, extend' 
ing from the 20th to 31st of this month, which, though not strictly inter' 
national, reflects all tlie more credit on the efforts of our French brethren, 
seeing the great merit of this fine Exhibition is almost entirely due to them¬ 
selves. With the exception of one or two exhibitors from Belgium, and one 
from Germany, no foreigners were present, and among these the English 
formed no exception. The Societe Nationale et Centrale d’Horticulture de 
France are therefore to be congratulated upon the success of their own 
unaided efforts. 
No place could be better chosen for the Exhibition than that in which it 
was held. This was in the Pavilion de la Yille and the grounds adjoining 
in the Champs Elysees, close by the Palais de l’lndustrie. The Pavilion 
itself is a spacious apartment admirably adapted for the purpose, as its 
dimensions admit of the ground being laid out in curving walks and capa¬ 
cious flower beds on green turf. On entering the building the effect is 
very telling, the masses of colour being toned down by the undulating banks 
of green with which the sides are furnished. The first beds are filled with 
Azaleas from Ghent, and consist of the usual small well-flowered specimens 
with which most are familiar ; the one on the right is furnished by M. Ad. 
d’Haene, and that on the left by M. A. Dalliere. Then there is a bed of 
Calceolarias of a good dwarf strain and well marked, exhibited by M. Loise- 
Chauviere, and this is matched by a corresponding bed filled with Zonal and 
Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums by M. Ad. Foucard, of which the best that can be 
said is that they were “ fair market stuff.” Messrs. Thibaut et Keteleer of 
Sceaux had a bed of Ciladiums, Japanese Maples, and Bromeliads, and 
corresponding with this on tlie left was a mass of Anthurium Schertzeri- 
anum exhibited by M. Bertrand, which called forth the admiration of all 
who saw it. It was remarkable, and deservedly obtained the prix d’honneitr 
offered by Messrs. Vilmorin in this class. Between these two beds was 
an isolated object, which by its beauty could not fail to attract atten¬ 
tion. This was a large mass of Odontoglossum vexillarium, exhibited 
by M. Bergman, gardener to Baron Alphonse de Rothschild at Fer- 
rieres. It was splendidly grown, and so full of bloom that we did not 
venture to undertake the task of counting the number of its flowers. 
From the same garden came a fine plant of Yanda teres. The other 
large beds which occupied the centre space were filled with Begonias 
by M. Cavaroc of Bievres, with Rhododendrons by M. Houore Defresne 
of Vitrv, M. Moser of Versailles, and MM. Croux et fils of Vallbe d’Aul- 
nay. The two latter groups were very good, admirably grown and bloomed, 
reminding us more of what are exhibited from the Surrey nurseries than 
anything we have ever seen before on the Continent. There were 
among them all the familiar names which are met with in the Waterer and 
Standish strains, such as “The Queen,” “Mrs. John Clutton,” “Minnie,” 
“ Sophia Western,” and “ Perfection.” 
In one of the largest of the centre beds M. A. Truffaut of Versailles made 
a fine display of miscellaneous plants, composed of ornamental-foliaged 
plants, a large collection of well-grown Orchids, and an extensive and very 
interesting collection of Bromeliads. A bed of Crotons and Arads from 
MM. Chantrier Freres of Mortefontaine, and one of Arads and Bromeliads 
from M. David of Versailles completed the arrangement of the central beds. 
The whole of one side of the great pavilion was furnished by M. Chantin of 
Avenue de Chatillon, Paris, with large and well-grown specimens of Palms, 
Ferns, Cycads, and other ornamental-foliaged plants. In the recess begin¬ 
ning the other side there was a splendid group of Palms by M. Saison- 
Lierval, large, luxuriant, of a deep green colour, and showing superior 
cultivation. A large space further on was creditably filled by M. L. Dallbe 
of Rue de Javel, Paris, which was more varied and better assorted than that 
of M. Chantin. 
Another length of the same side was occupied by M. Louis Landry, Rue 
de la Glaciere, Paris, with a lot similar to the former ; but the most brilliant 
gem of the whole Exhibition was to be found at the end of this side. It was 
from the famed Garden of Ferrieres, and for perfection of culture and beauty 
of grouping could not be surpassed. All looked fresh, bright, and luxuriant. 
The Crotons ware especially good, the most striking varieties being Baron 
James de Rothschild, Andreanus, Albert Truffaut, Williamsi, Prince of 
Wales, Georges Lesueur, Disraeli, and a beautiful seedling with long narrow 
green leaves with porphyry red veins. Anthurium Warocqueanum was 
splendid, as was also Medinilla magnifica,but we have not space to mention 
all the well-grown specimens that formed this collection. 
In a small recess close by were some bouquets—at least so they were 
called ; size seemed to be their chief merit. Imagine a large Turnip or Man¬ 
gold Wurtzel thickly stuck all over with White Lilac, Tea Roses, and Gar¬ 
denias, and you have a good idea of the Parisian bouquet of the present day. 
One was a pillar 6 to 8. feet high with a spiral shaft formed of an alternate 
line of Roses and white satin about a foot wide, and the top ending in a 
Tam o’ Shanter bonnet made of Roses and Hoteia japonica. Other bouquets 
there were—at least so they were called. One was a child’s wheelbarrow 
made of bamboo cane filled with plants of La France Roses in full bloom. 
The rest of the Exhibition was contained in a series of temporary struc¬ 
tures covered with stout calico, which w.ra erected in the grounds sur¬ 
rounding the pavilion. In one of them was housed a large number of 
well-grown half-specimens of Azalea indica from M. A. A. Peeters, of St. 
Gilles, Brussels; a splendid lot of A. mollis and pontica varieties from 
Croux et fils, and a similar lot from Moser of Versailles. In the same 
annexe were the vegetable and salad plants, among which the most inter¬ 
esting and instructive was that of M. Vilmorin, Andrieux et Cie. of Paris. 
It consisted of about fifty varieties of Peas in pots, a complete assortment 
of Cos and Cabbage Lettuce, Spinach, Alpine Strawberries, Radishes, and 
Leeks. Of the latter the Monstrueux Carantan was the most remarkable 
for size ; and a very creditable exhibition, both as regards quality and 
quantity, was made by M. A. Cusin, gardener to Dr. Beni Barde of Sceaux. 
The exhibition of vegetables was very extensive and very meritorious, but 
it is not necessary for us to enter into particulars of all the exhibits, except 
that we should specially mention the highly creditable exhibition of forced 
Strawberries in pots from M. Lherault of Argenteuil, to which was 
awarded the gold medal of the City of Paris. He also exhibited bundles 
of the Monstrous Asparagus for which he is so famed, and which, though 
marvellous to look at, suggests the sight of a pretty little mouth attempting 
to attack it. There were many exhibits of forced Strawberries, all of which 
were very creditable, but the generality of them were not set up with any 
great taste. 
The structures set apart for the forced Roses were well filled, the space 
being laid out in beds and planted in masses graduated in height, the highest 
plants on standards forming the ridge, and the heights diminishing to the 
side 3 . The principal exhibitors are M. Charles Verdier, who is a large 
exhibitor, M. Rothberg of St. Denis, and M. Margottin pere of Bourg-la- 
Reine. Rivalling M. Verdier we find M. Leveque et fils of Ivry with a 
collection equal in extent and quality. 
Of fruit trees in pots some excellent examples were exhibited by M. E. 
Salomon of Thomery. TheGrape3 were very fine, as were also the Cherries, 
but we could not say much in favour of the Peaches. A very good collection 
of Grapes in pots was shown by M. Jules Margottin fils of Pierrefitte, near 
Paris. In this collection we remarked a variety called Gradiska, which 
seeni 3 to be well adapted for pot culture. It is a white Grape of ovate 
shape and appears to set well. At one end of this tent were two large 
banks of annuals and perennials shown by MM. Vilmorin Andrieux & Co., 
which formed quite a study in themselves. The same house contributed 
Calceolarias, double Cinerarias, and Petunias of very select strains. 
In an annexe to the pavilion was a very extensive collection of Indian 
Azaleas exhibited by M. Royer Duval of Versailles. They w'ere like the 
Belgian plants grown as “half specimens,” and made a brilliant display. 
In the same compartment there were numerous well-grown plants of 
Clematis, but though well grown they could not compare with what is 
seen in our own exhibitions. They were shown by M. L. Christen of 
Versailles. 
To give a detailed report of such an Exhibition as this is would occupy 
more space than we have at our disposal, and as the exhibitors are not very 
well known in this country, a mere record of their names can have but little 
interest for our readers. The opening day of the Show reminded us of 
home experiences, for it rained in torrents, and the wind blew almost a 
hurricane, threatening the safety of the canvas-covered structures forming 
the annexes. The paths were inches deep in mud, but the activity of the 
management was equal to every emergency, and liberal supplies of good 
gravel soon made all right. 
HANDLIGHTS. 
Pekhaps there is no more useful appliance in a garden than 
handlights. They are indispensable for wintering Cauliflower plants 
Lettuces, indeed anything requiring slight protection from frost in the 
winter and spring, as well as sheltering plants in the quarter of the 
garden which necessitates the employment of something portable. They 
are also useful for sheltering plants of doubtful hardiness, and in summer 
after they have done duty in placing over plants raised from cuttings or 
seeds, or for forwarding ridge Cucumbers or Yegeial le Marrows, admirable 
for striking cuttings of Pinks, Carnations ; indeed ii every garden they 
are extremely useful, and never are long idle, as they serve so many 
essential purposes in plant-raising and forwarding. 
They are not so much in use as their usefulness warrants, and that 
they are not so common as we might expect is probably due to their 
expense, as to secute them in iron frames, to say nothing of zinc or 
copper, they are rather expensive at first, and the breakage of glass in 
them is something fearful to contemplate ; in fact, they are generally 
in such a plight for repairs that I do not wonder at their being relegated 
to such out-of-the-way places as we sometimes see them, as if owners 
were ashamed to use them. I do not know of anything in a garden that 
is so much neglected and so abused as handlights by the breakage of 
glas3; even if the tops be crossed for ventilation the boot toe is often 
pushed through the upright gla«s at the sides. The first cost and the 
after cost in repairs caused me over a dozen years ago to have some made 
of wood instead of iron or other description of metal bars, using no glass 
at the sides, but having the roof of glass, and of that form admitting light 
from all points, and I have found them to answer admirably ; the first 
cost not being great, and the breakage of glass is reduced to a minimum. 
