84 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
April 29. 
NOTES FROM PARIS. 
The Revue of the 1st inst. contains a notice, by Gustave 
I leuze, of Allies Cilicia, stated to have been discovered in the 
summer of 1853 by M. Kotschy in the valley of Gousgula, 
on Mount Taurus, in Cilicia (Asia Minor). 1 can scarcely 
suppose that this species has not been at least mentioned 
in English botanical works; but as it appears to be of 
recent introduction, I may just transcribe one or two of the 
particulars given by M. lleuze, taking account, however, of 
ilie fact, that he has given no authority for the name. Abies 
Cilicia is distinguished by its pyramidal habit of growth, 
and it attains a Height of nearly 120 feet: its cones are fully 
seven inches long and two inches in diameter; the leaves 
are said to bo silver-coloured, a property which gives a 
singularly agreeable aspect to the whole tree, which, besides, 
when loaded with its long, light brown cones, looks like an 
immense candelabrum. A branch with several cones was 
lately sent from Cilicia to M. Yilmorin with a quantity of 
seed. 
According to M. Tchihatcheff, of Cilicia, the axes of 
the cones are persistent after the fall of the scales, and then 
the general aspect of the tree is greatly changed, if not 
improved. The plants begin to bear cones when they are 
about ten years old. 
M. Allard has a few observations on two varieties of 
Turnip, which ho recommends to the notice of kitchen- 
gardeners, and he states, with reason, that French gardens 
are not so well stocked with good sorts of Turnips as they' 
ought to be. The two varieties figured are the Chou-rave 
blauc and Chou-rave violet hatif do Vienne, These are recom¬ 
mended for their earliness and tenderness. 
M. Du Breuil, always busy in his own particular province, 
has an interesting paper on the most economical and expe¬ 
ditious mode of trnininy fruit-trees; and he remarks, that 
the opening of railways throughout France is being followed 
by the best results with respect to the cultivation of table 
fruits; for fruit-growers are now beginning to reap the 
beuefit of a ready conveyance to market. Never has there 
been a time when so many fruit-trees were planted, and 
never have cultivators been so much occupied with the 
raising of new and improved varieties. Hut one point has 
hitherto been too much overlooked, that is, the economical 
side of the question. Fruit-growers have racked their brains 
to discover new forms of training the trees; but all this only 
demonstrates that, with time and intelligence, the branches 
may be made to assume the most varied and the most 
whimsical forms. Enough of importance is not attached to 
those conditions to which all the others ought to be sub¬ 
servient, namely, that the branches of fruit-trees should 
take that form which involves the least delay, the least care, 
and the least space, compatible with the greatest amount of 
fertility; or, in other terms, such a form as will give the 
greatest profit with the least outlay. 
The forms generally adopted, says M. Du Breuil, for 
Pears cn espalier of a certain height, are such as require 
from sixteen to eighteen years before they quite cover the 
surface allotted to them, separately, that is, from about six¬ 
teen or eighteen square yards to each. It is too long to 
wait for the maximum product of these trees; for, during 
that time, the interest of the price of the soil, the construc¬ 
tion of the wall, and the expence of keeping up, are only 
half paid. The form proposed is called “Cordon oblique 
Simple,” which M. Du Breuil takes the credit of first intro¬ 
ducing to notice. Ho recommends the young trees to bo 
trained either in the. open ground, or against walls, as single 
brandies, the whole length from bottom to top, and in a 
sloping direction. But in order to cover the angles at the 
ends of the wall, or trellis, the trees at the extremities should 
be allowed to grow with several branches. All flic others 
are single stems, each having its own stick sloping side-ways 
to be trained to. 
By this new mode of training, says M. Du Breuil, a maxi¬ 
mum crop may be obtained about the fifth year; while the 
old arrangement of the trees requires from sixteen to 
eighteen years. It is also so simple that the most inex¬ 
perienced can understand it, and it has the great advantage 
of enabling any person to grow a variety of sorts on a 
narrow surface. Another advantage is, that all accidental 
vacancies may be speedily filled up. 
The trees are planted about fifteen inches apart, and | 
most kinds of fruit bearing trees may be trained in this 
form ; though it is chiefly adapted for Pears, Apples, Cherries, 
Apricots, and Plums, to bo grown against a wall from six to i 
eight feet high. 
Among the notices of French Societies there are a few j 
items worth mentioning. The Govei'iiment is making the | 
most laudable endeavours to stimulate the people in the i 
provinces, not only with respect to horticulture, but agricul- | 
turc, and everything else that can in any way dcvclope the j 
vast resources of the country, and occupy hands and heads 
that would otherwise be idle. As for agriculture in particu¬ 
lar, except the question of peace or war, no subject receives 
more attention here at present. The press teems with ! 
articles on new modes of farming, on machinery, drainage, | 
improvement of stock, the organization of Societies, and the J 
formation of schools and colleges for the training of young j 
farmers. 
But to return to the Horticultural Societies. I may ob- | 
serve, that the Prefet of the Loiret has presented the Society | 
at Orleans with the sum of 300 francs (.€12) to be given in j 
prizes to village schoolmasters who shall be found to have ! 
the best-kept gardens, and whose pupils show the greatest 
theoretical and practical knowledge of horticulture. In the 
Society’s programme there is a special clause bearing on 
this point, where it is stated, that besides the medal, a work ' 
on horticulture, or a sum of money for the purchase of j 
works or implements, will be given to those masters wbo are 
found to do most for the horticultural advancement of the 
young people under their direction. It may be said, 1 think, 
on our side of the channel, “they manage these things 
better in France.” But it must be recollected, that this 
same France, though blessed with a soil and climate suffi¬ 
cient, under proper management, for the supply of fruit and 
vegetables to all the nations of the west, is yet, at least, fifty 
years behind with respect to cultivation. 
The spring show of the Imperial and Central Society will 
be hold at Paris in the first fortnight of May, and that of 
the autumn, in the first fortnight of September. The par¬ 
ticular place of exhibition is not yet decided on; but the 
Society have made arrangements to insure a grand display 
during the three or four days of each show. Everything 
relating to horticulture will be admissablo. Examining 
committees will visit such products or crops as cannot be 
conveyed to the place of exhibition. The authors of new 
works on horticulture are also invited to compete for prizes. 
Following the example given by the President of the Com¬ 
missioners of the Great Industrial Exhibition, the Society 
will award prizes to working gardeners, distinguished for 
good conduct, professional attainments, and the good services 
they may have rendered to their employers. 
During the Great Exhibition of last year, the Australian 
Commissioners—Messrs. MacArtlmr and Bousfield—were 
requested by the Society of Aeclimatation to give some in¬ 
formation respecting the principal vegetable productions of 
that rich and extensive colony. The request was promptly 
complied with, and an interesting paper has been published, 
but it is too long to send you at present. 
Except in the speech of the Minister of Agriculture, on 
the occasion of the distribution of prizes awarded to the 
exhibitors of the Horticultural Exhibition, and which is 
given in your number for March 4, Vol. xv.,page 414,1 have 
till now seen no notice of the death of M. Pescatore , whose 
name has been prominently connected with the culture of 
Orchids for some years. In the last number of the Revue 
Ilorticole, one or two particulars of him are furnished by 
Gustave Heuze, who is, hy-tbe-by, “ Professeur a l’Ecole 
Imperiale de Grignon.” From this notice, we learn ) hat 
M. Pescatore died on the 9th of last December. He was 
born on the 10th of March, 1793, at Luxembourg, in the 
Netherlands. At the age of sixteen he enlisted in the 4th 
Hussars, of Ghamborand, and served in Spain for five years 
under General Suc.het. Returning to his native town, he 
became a banker a few years subsequently. In 1834, he 
left his native country, came to reside in France, and had 
himself naturalized. In 1812, he bought the ancient manor 
of Celle-Saint-Cloud, to which he became much attached. 
Six months ago, says his biographer, his friends but little 
thought that death would take him so soon from among 
them, for a constitution, apparently strong and vigorous, 
