184 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
December 5. 
about five inches in diameter, and sell at sixteen sous a 
piece; but smaller fruit may be had, at from fifteen to 
twenty sous a dozen. The Pomegranate, from its singular 
structure, as well as its beautiful crimson berry-like seeds, 
which form, indeed, the only edible part of it, seldom fail to 
arrest attention, and it is a favourite model with artists who 
are fond of fruit painting. It is as plentiful here, at 
present, as the Pine-apple is in London during the autumn 
months. But I have not yet seen either Pines or Bananas. 
The Parisian shopkeepers have a remarkable skill in 
showing off their goods; but those whose especial province it 
is to please the palate, would seem to understand, above all 
others, the art of captivating the eye. Let us glance, just 
for a few moments, into the window of a Restaurateur, such, 
for instance, as that of M.-, on the Boulevard des 
Italians, and we see a picture that it would be difficult to 
surpass on canvass. First of all, is a miniature aquarium, 
with a fountain playing in the centre. Several gold fish are 
swimming about, and the border is studded with Ferns and 
Mosses. On every side, all round, and gradually rising to 
the height of about two feet at the circumference, are fancy 
baskets, and dishes of fruit, flowers, fowl, game, fish, veget¬ 
ables, and confectionary, all arranged in the most tantalising 
manner, yet with remarkable skill, in point of artistic effect. 
Here, in front, are half-a-dozen of lobsters, that seem to 
hear the playing of the fountain, and would fain jump into 
the water, but they have only strength to indicate that life 
is still left. On the other side are some large salmon. To 
the right and left are some beautiful Grapes, Apples, and 
Pears, just as if brought from a banquet-table, after being 
only tasted. Further on is a noble buck, with one or two 
hares crouching among the brake, and these are set off with 
several prepared dishes of different colours. Then comes a 
basket of luscious Grapes, Pomegranates, or Oranges. At 
various points, near the salmon, are bunches of Asparagus, 
and dishes of Brussels Sprouts, Endive, and Cauliflower; 
then more Pears, Grapes, and Apples, interspersed with 
preserved fruits, such as young Figs, and Rcine Claude 
Plum. Further on, at one side, are more Pomegranates; 
and on the other, a dish of Oranges. Yonder is a fine piece 
of beef, studded with parsley of the neatest curl, supported 
on the right and left by a couple of tender chicken. Then, 
as if to form the design of a curtain, a long string of moor 
fowl are suspended from the ceiling at both corners near the 
window. But all these are only the skeleton-work, so to 
speak. You should see how they are set off with preserved 
fruits, neat plants of Erica liyemalis, Caffra, autumnalis, 
and other late-flowering varieties; also several sorts of 
Camellia, as alba and variegata, together with neat, dwarf 
Orange-trees in fruit and flower. Nor must we forget the 
Ferns, which are extensively employed in this way by many 
of the principal shopkeepers. 
Here, then, we have something that might task the skill 
of Lance, or any other famed painter, and which (not for¬ 
getting the lobsters) may be well called a living picture. 
But enough of it; for though we can admire a picture, we 
are not gourmands. 
Passing from fruits to flowers and plants, I may first 
remark, that the Pomegranate ( Punica granatum), is some¬ 
what common here, as an ornamental shrub. Its pretty, 
red flowers, and general habit, make it a particular favourite 
with all who are fond of balcony, or window-gardening, but 
it is frequent in other situations, where large plants in 
boxes and pots are required. It makes a beautiful shrub at 
any season, on account of its small, clear, green foliage. It 
is somewhat hardy, but in keen frost, or cutting winds 
during winter, it is slightly sheltered. Along with the 
Punica granatum, I may notice Habrothamnus fasciculalus, 
which is grown in the garden of M. Bondoux, RueLoureine, 
as a standard in the open air, at least during six months 
out of the twelve. M. Bondoux has lived in the vicinity of 
London for about two years, and he states that the Habro¬ 
thamnus is hardy enough to be treated in the same manner 
with us ; but still, I think that is not quite certain, and many 
of your readers will be unwilling to admit such a statement. 
There can be no doubt, however, that if the Habrothamnus 
can be grown out-of-doors, and flowered as profusely in 
England as near Paris, it would be a valuable acquisition 
to the pleasure-ground, and the experiment ought, therefore, 
to bo tried. But apart from the question, as to hardiness, 
the mode of training it adopted by M. Bondoux is worthy 
of particular notice. The plants in his establishment, to 
the number of several dozens, have clean, straight stems, 
from four to seven feet in height, with heads of vigorous 
branches shooting out and hanging down regularly all round. 
They have every appearance of good health, and, when 
loaded with flowers, are remarkably beautiful. The standard 
fashion of growing ornamental plants has been successfully j 
adopted with the Viburnum tinus (Laurustine), the Laurus : 
nobilis, and others, adapted for large pots or boxes; the I 
Habrothamnus evidently ought to be added to the list. 
M. Bondoux has been successful in raising a new variety 
of this elegant plant, but what its characteristic features are 
I cannot say, as I have not seen it flower. From M. Bondoux’s 
description, however, it would seem to differ but very little 
from the species, except in the colour of the flowers, the 
particular tint of which is said to be a beautiful mixture of 
crimson and carmine. This variety was sent out this year | 
at fifteen francs a plant. Another variety, raised by M. j 
Bondoux, called Zephirene, is to be sent out next spring. 
The. flower-markets, for some time, have been plentifully 
supplied with Chrysanthemums; and it is astonishing to see 
the neat, dwarf, dense bushes which the Parisians grow of 
this popular flower. Sometimes, to be sure, one may be 
deceived on this point, for several plants are made to assume 
the appearance of one. But still, single plants, not more 
than twelve inches high, and loaded with bloom, are not at 
all rare. We all know that essential point in the culture of 
this plant is to keep it full of leaves to the bottom of the 
stem. In this respect, Chrysanthemums are managed 
admirably here. But I shall probably have a little to soy 
on this subject at a future time. 
Among new varieties to be sent out next year, one or two 
good ones raised by M. Pele, of the Foubouvg St. Marcel, 
deserve a passing notice. They are, for the most part, 
about the size of Daisies, but as yet unnamed. No. 1 is a 
reddish-purple, tipped with sulphur-yellow; very regular, 
and well filled at the centre. No. 2 is clear rose near the 
circumference; the centre yellow, and very dense; the 
structure of this flower is somewhat singular. No. 3 is a 
lilac-rose, tipped with white. No. 4, a brilliant tint, between 
carmine and violet, tipped with gold or sulphur-yellow ; the 
diameter of this is about two inches. These are very 
profuse bloomers, and, when well grown, must obtain a pro¬ 
minent place in every good collection. 
M. Pele is somewhat noted for his seedling Chrysanthe¬ 
mums, and he has a fine collection; but he was more 
successful last year than the present. He never sends out 
plants till they have been sufficiently proved; and though 
this year he has a vast number of good colours, the flowers 
are not compact and full at the centre ; these will, therefore, 
be of no use. A dozen or two more varieties, not yet in the 
trade, may be seen here and there among the different 
growers. 
Of Dahlias, many fine sorts have been introduced this 
year; but now, with the facilities of travelling and transit 
between London and Pans, it may be difficult to mention 
anything in this way which is not also to be seen in the 
English collections. I shall, therefore, only notice one or 
two which, it is probable, are not yet known with you. 
Grand Sultan, a superb Dahlia, deep violet, and clear lilac 
at the margins. M. Schcenberg, equally good, but not so 
large as the preceding; the petals are double, and of a 
beautiful deep rose colour. Prince Murat, a robust and 
magnificent flower, of a purple-rose colour. Le Marechal 
Saint Arnaud, brilliant scarlet. Triomphc d'Essones, clear 
cherry-red. La Duclicsse Eugenia, salmon colour, shaded 
with rose. These are all of this year’s introduction, and are 
as yet very rare here. 
The open flower-markets are, at present, and have been 
for some time, freely supplied with Roses in pots, such as 
the Quatres Saisons, Souvenir de Malmaison, and others. 
The autumn and winter-flowering Heaths, too, are very 
abundant; and with Veronica Andcrsonii, which is a 
favourite here, they give a different feature to the bouquets, 
because of the spike arrangement of their flowers. Bouquets, 
just now, are for the most part made up as follows :— 
Centre—Camellia alba, or variegata. 
1st circle—Heliotropes. 
2nd „ Crimson Roses, half open. 
