302 
THE FLORIST. 
at Suresnes, where the Baron’s seat was formerly, and indeed his 
gardening establishment is still there, until the alterations at the 
Chateau at Boulogne are fully completed. M. Bergman most kindly 
showed us everything at Suresnes, and then accompanied us to 
Boulogne. At Suresnes the houses and conservatories had been taken 
down, as the place is sold, but we noticed a fine wall of Peaches in 
excellent condition; but the dessert Grapes, especially the Black Ham¬ 
burgh, were sadly affected with mildew, though it was not so observable 
in the vineyards, of which there are a number in the vicinity, and we 
afterwards understood that it would not materially injure the produce 
of the Vines in the neighbourhood of Paris. M. Bergman is forming 
a large garden for the Baron at Boulogne, including a set of Pine pits, 
vineries for forcing Grapes, an immense orangery, and the usual con¬ 
veniences for supplying a first-class establishment. We looked over 
the flower-garden adjoining the Chateau. The garden forms a long 
parallelogram, with a raised terrace walk on one side and a large and 
unique fountain in the centre. The beds for flowers are arranged in 
long borders, following the shape of the ground and accompanying the 
walks. The flowers are disposed in lines; not altogether in the striped 
or ribbon fashion of the English, but a more mixed manner ; the effect, 
however, to our mind, is more beautiful, for the reason that there is 
less of formality in the arrangement, and of course far greater variety. 
Some of the borders, however, had the plants partly in lines and partly 
mixed. For example: one border, with an Ivy edging 12 inches wide, 
had next a row of Phlox Drummondi, pegged down ; next white 
Petunia; then scarlet Geranium, followed by the orange Erysimum 
and white Chrysanthemum, backed by blue Salvias and Gladiolus, 
which formed the centre of the bed : in another arrangement, the white 
Nierembergia filicaulis (which blooms very profusely here), was placed 
next the Ivy edging; then a row of a cerise-coloured Geranium ; 
then mixed Petunias, followed by orange, and backed by mixed plants, 
principally Salvias, Pentstemons, and Gladiolus ; dwarf Dahlias took 
the place of these, in some cases, for the centre lines, and a good mix¬ 
ture of Verbenas was introduced in others, as were also Phloxes, Antir¬ 
rhinums, and Lobelias. In all cases the combination of colour, when 
seen from a distance, was harmonious as well as effective ; indeed, we 
never before saw a garden in which showy colours of every variety 
were so effectively contrasted and blended together ; in which respect, 
with all deference to many of our most noted gardens, it formed a 
contrast in all respects favourable to French taste. The water in the 
fountain is made to fall down the sides in a series of small cascades ; 
the other two compartments are filled with flowers, forming raised beds, 
to match the cascades; these are filled with the painted leaved Caladium 
(bicolor) and Canna, mixed with the Lobelia Victoria, a fine showy 
kind. We cannot take leave of this place without expressing our 
best thanks to M. Bergman for his great courtesy and kindness, nor 
yet of adding our testimony to the talent and taste which he every¬ 
where displays. 
(To be continued.) 
