66 Macgregor Skene. 
taries of the Herault. The garden bears the name “ L’ Hort de 
Dieu ”—the garden of God. It was the highest point ever culti¬ 
vated on the mountain, and from this fact is probaby derived the 
name. 
In 1903 it was a mere desert, the typical mountain pasture of 
the Cevennes, a stretch of loose shingle with a miserable vegetation 
of Festuca glauca and Sarotliamnus purgans : and for the trans¬ 
formation which has taken place since then Professor Flahault is 
responsible. A laboratory had to be built and its foundations were 
laid on the site of an old “ bergerie ” which had sheltered shepherds 
and their flocks in the early years of last century. Modern science 
and ancient romance come into contact; for in this very “bergerie” 
did Jean Cavalier nurse his wounded and store his arms, and from 
it his lieutenant Castanet descended on Valleraugues to secure 
hostages for his captured wife. 
“ And O, how deep the corn 
“ Along the battlefield.” 
The situation of L’ Hort de Dieu made the start very difficult. 
Before the laboratory was built Professor and labourers alike had 
a walk of nearly five miles to and from their daily task. Even now 
the nearest baker’s shop is five miles away, and the postal service 
sometimes ceases to be a matter for jesting. Despite all difficulties, 
however, progress has been rapid. The laboratory is a building of 
the solidity necessary to withstand the storms of autumn: it is 
capable of accomodating about a dozen people. Beside it there is 
a bothy for the labourers. During the erection of these buildings 
the garden itself was not neglected. To clear the ground of 
Sarothamnus purgans was the first task, and it was no light one. 
Then it had to be prepared for planting the trees: the process is 
simple enough under ordinary conditions, but L’ Hort de Dieu 
was entirely denuded of humus, and on the Aigoual there was 
no manure of any kind. Weeds from the road used to be carefully 
guarded and deposited in a hole to serve in the future as leaf- 
mould. The planting went on, however, and at the end of three 
years over 6,000 seedling trees had been put into the ground: 
rockeries had been built : an experimental kitchen garden had 
been laid out : and a whole series of pasture plots, under various 
conditions, were under observation. Nor must we forget the 
director’s particular hobby: a mile-and-a-half of well-planned and 
well-kept paths traverse the garden in all directions. Irrigation is 
carried out by means of about half-a-mile of canals fed by numerous 
springs. 
