Fdbrnary 23, isni. ] 
JOURXAL OF HORTICULTURE AHD COTTAGE GARDENER. 
159 
T he injurious effe3ts of the present winter upon vegetation 
are by no means confined to the British Isles ; indeed, our 
neighbours on the other side of the English Channel have even 
greater cause for complaint than our own cultivators. The average 
temperature in northern and eastern France appears to have been 
lower than here, while it has been equally prolonged, with pro¬ 
portionately disastrous results. Journeying from Calais to Paris 
and from the latter city through Normandy last week, it was 
strange to observe the total absence of all green vegetables, both 
in fields and gardens—this, too, in a country where salads and 
vegetables are much more generally grown and appreciated than 
in England. Here the loss is bad enough, but will be more severely 
felt in the early spring ; but there it is difficult to imagine how 
the gaps in the supply will be filled for some time to come. Those 
who succeed in procuring early crops of Radishes, Lettuces, and 
Endive will obtain good prices ; at present Watercress seems to be 
taking their place, and is served in a variety of ways with different 
dishes. Though Watercress has suffered to some extent, much 
has been preserved by flooding the beds with water to a sufficient 
depth, and now the cultivators are reaping their reward in prices 
three or four times higher than those usually obtained. 
The elongated and blanched form of Chicory named Barbe 
•du Capucin ” is also fairly abundant, and it is not uncomm.on to 
^ee men walking about the Parisian streets with large baskets on 
their backs loaded with this production, the long yellowish leaves 
and stems hanging over the sides. It is not, however, all Chicory, 
for the common Dandelion is grown in a similar manner, but does 
not produce such long attenuated leaves, though it is scarcely less 
esteemed when properly prepared. In the hotels and restaurants 
<leleraic is generally utilised at the present time, and is served in 
small tlfln slices with a sauce in which mustard and vinegar pre¬ 
dominate, and to some extent takes the place of the delicious little 
•early Radishes, which are as yet very scarce. Instead of the 
ordinary fresh salad, preserved Peas, finely sliced Carrots, &c., are 
mixed with the indispensable ingredients of oil, vinegar, pepper, 
and salt, into a vegetable salad of a rather more substantial, and 
■certainly very agreeable character. Concerning the ordinary Globe 
Artichokes, which are much in demand in France, complaints are 
general that the winter has dealt most severely with the home 
cultivated plants, a large proportion being killed, and though 
supplies are obtained from the South and from Algiers during 
winter, for spring and summer large quantities are grown in 
France. Seedsmen and others are eagerly inquiring respecting the 
•condition of the plants in England, and the prospect of obtaining 
supplies to make up the deficiency. Unfortunately these Arti¬ 
chokes are by no means largely cultivated here, and although some 
have found them profitable the demand is much more restricted 
than in France. 
The effects of the frcst are still more apparent amongst the 
Roses and shrubs, and nurserymen would have the prospect of ex¬ 
tensive business before them were it not that they also are victims. 
With regard to Roses, if one-tenth of the reports I heard are correct 
the damage must be exceedingly serious, and will prove the ruin 
of many small traders. In a few instances a careful system of 
protection has been provided, and plants have been housed as 
additional security with considerable satisfaction to the cultivators. 
No. 557.— Yol. XXII., Third Series. 
now they find how much the unprotected Roses have suffered. 
Amongst the shrubs common Laurel, Aucubas, Euonymus, and 
Hollies are the chief victims, and a terribly bare and browned 
appearance they present in many gardens. To render them any¬ 
thing like respectable hard cutting back will bo needed in the 
majority of cases, and there will be gaps to be filled. Tender trees, 
like Magnolias, which have stood out for years are also affected, and 
the list of killed and wounded w'ill, it is feared, be a long one. 
Visiting the principal florists’ .shops in the boulevards of Paris 
would, however, afford a very imperfect idea of the winter’s 
results. Plants and flowers are as abundant as in spring, and 
though the range of va.riety is more limited, there is ample to 
delight the intending purchaser or the mere spectator. The 
Parisian florists’ shops are in fact floral bower.s or artistic exhibi¬ 
tions worthy of something more than a cursory glance, and what¬ 
ever difference of opinion may exist with regard to the taste 
displayed in the special arrangement of flowers, there can be none 
respecting the general appearance of the shops themselves. In 
comparatively few instances in London is any attempt made to 
render such establishments attractive ; in Paris it is the rule, and 
one of our style is the exception. Nothing very pleasing can be 
found in a prominent display of bright red flower pots, or if these 
should be, which is frequently the case, none too clean, the effect 
is even more disagreeable. To avoid all this, forced and other 
plants in flower are placed in neat baskets of varied form, and 
arranged upon pedestals of different heights, while in recesses and 
as a background Palms, Ferns, and foliage plants generally are freely 
employed. Indian and deciduous Azaleas furnish abundant colour 
at the present time ; then there are forced bulbs like Hyacinths, 
Tulips, and Narcissus, the little white Roman Hyacinth being a 
great favourite as with us. Lilies of the Valley also are handsome, 
with long spikes of large pure bells, and well developed foliage. 
Orchid plants are much more frequent in the florists’ shops than 
was the case a few jears ago ; at this time of year Lycaste 
Skinneri, Coelogjne cristata, Cypripediums, and Dendrobiums are 
seen, both as fine specimens and cut flowers, and furnish an 
important attraction. Amongst the cut flowers Violets largely 
predominate, the supplies from the South of France coming 
exceedingly fresh, large, and sweet. Scores of hawkers and flower 
girls are seen every fine day in some of the principal throughfarts 
selling Violets at ten to twenty centimes (Id. to 2d.) a bunch, the 
selected flowers being of exceptional size and depth of colour. The 
fragrant yellow Acacias from the warmer southern regions are 
represented by long branches, in some cases of tree-like dimensions, 
and it is difficult to imagine how such a supply is maintained, 
however rapidly the trees may grow. Roses are scarce, but are now 
appearing in the markets in the usual Parisian style, cut with 
foliage and stems 2 or 3 feet long, and stately groups they form in 
massive vases. Chrysanthemums are over, but they have been 
in great demand until recently, ov/ing to the scarcity of other 
flowers, and it is said that fine blooms have been sold late in the 
season for four and five francs each. I have heard of 2;. fid. being 
obtained for a specially handsome Chrysanthemum bloom in 
London ; but 3s. to Is. each surpasses our record on this side of the 
Channel. 
Fruit at this time of y^ear is necessarily much restricted in 
supply, but handsome Pears of the Channel Islands type are dis¬ 
played in the fruiterers’ windows, also good Apples and quantities 
of black Grapes, chiefly Gros Colman. Of the last named, in one 
of the chief shops in the Palais Royal I saw some capital 
examples from M. Phatzer, who, with his partner M. Cordonnier, 
has established extensive vineries at Iloubaix on the English market 
garden principle. A few extra early Strawberries were shown, but 
they did not look particularly tempting. Imported Pine Apples 
were, however, unusually handsome, but the prices were somewhat 
higher than those avhich prevail in London for similarly fine fruits. 
Large quantities of Oranges are sold both in the shops and on the 
No. 2213 —VoL. LXXXIV., Old Series. 
