684 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
June 25, 1898. 
flagstones, asphalt, or whatever the paving material 
consists of, and you need not travel far for demonstra¬ 
tion for this assertion; but a space of about 4 ft. 
radius is left from the stem, and this, covered with 
iron gratings, so that the roots can get the required 
air and moisture. This practice, I am aware, is 
carried out in some parts of England, but, I believe, 
in rather a half-hearted manner. Then again, I 
observed in the case of young trees that were 
planted in gravel walks on sloping ground, soil would 
be placed round, a little distance from the stem, in 
basin form, so as to hold the water given them from 
municipal watercarts, or to catch and retain the rain 
that might fall. I mention this just to form a com¬ 
parison, and, I think, you will generally admit that 
it goes to show how much the French authorities 
value their public trees. The species of trees used 
for planting in streets aqd public gardens about 
Paris are much about the same as we are accus¬ 
tomed to see at home, namely, Horse Chestnut, 
London Plane, Limes, and broad-leaved Oak, except 
the Catalpa bignonioides, which, with them, are 
almost as common as any of the former with us. 
I noticed, too, that the Magnolia conspicua was 
planted much more freely than we are accustomed 
to see it here in England. 
Bedding in Public Gardens. 
The French, as do the English in the matter of 
bedding out their public gardens, show great skill 
and taste, and by the enormous quantity of choice 
plants used give an abundant proof that the man¬ 
agement is dealt with in no mean spirit by the proper 
authorities, financially and otherwise. Judging from 
the general pleasing and instructive effects of these 
plants, I should say that the public gets good value 
for its money. The Begonia and Ganna, as might 
be expected, were well to the front, both in quantity 
quality and effectiveness. The Begonias, however, 
were infinitely beyond anything that 1 ever saw, or 
expected to see, both in size and substance, and 
planted, as they were, in masses, the effect was truly 
magnificent. These remarks, in the case of the 
Begonia, not only apply to public gardens, but also 
to private ones, and for superiority there was very 
little to choose between them ; in fact, I may say 
wherever I saw the tuberous-rooted Begonia, either 
planted out or in pots, to say the least they were in 
a general state of excellency, and a credit to the 
growers. I will here quote the opinion of one of our 
leading nurserymen, who took a tour through France 
last autumn. Respecting the Begonias, when ques¬ 
tioned by one of the leading growers as to what the 
Begonias were like over there, his reply was, " Those 
that you grow inside, where one expects to see the 
finest flowers, are simply rubbish to those grown in 
France outside in every possible way, except in 
variety.” Only in this latter respect are we able to 
keep pace with the French growers. If it was not 
for this question of colours and varieties one would 
be inclined to lose all heart in Begonia growing, after 
seeing those grown in France. With me, as with the 
authority just alluded to, this was a very noticeable 
and—I hope I may be pardoned for mentioning this 
—gratifying feature. One more remark concerning 
the Begonia, that is, it was admitted by all growers I 
came in contact with that they never saw the Begonias 
looking better than they were last autumn, especially 
the seedlings; in fact, the seedlings did so well that 
one of the leading private growers in the suburbs of 
Paris informed me that in future he should treat his 
tuberous Begonias for bedding purposes as annuals. 
The general system of bedding, as a rule, was of a 
mixed character, and in some cases large pot plants 
were employed by way of relief; but this was more 
the exception than the rule. The general idea 
appeared to be, with some exceptions, to form huge 
masses of plants of different species and colours, so 
as to give a very imposing appearance, especially 
when seen from a distance, and with that object, in 
my humble opinion, it was a great success. For 
this purpose very large flower beds were used, much 
larger than we are accustomed to see them in 
England, and when filled with such gorgeous subjects, 
as Cannas for instance, in various shades of colour in 
flower and foliage they would naturally have a bold 
and telling effect, and when once seen not easily for¬ 
gotten. 
In some of the public gardens I noticed that large 
plants in tubs were used in addition to tall bedding 
and other plants, plunged about in the grounds. 
These plants were more particularly in evidence at 
the Tuilieries, in Paris, and at the Palace Gardens at 
Versailles, and consisted of such plants as Aloes, 
Citrons, Bays, Myrtles, Palms, Pomegranates, &c 
The arrangement of these plants, however, was in a 
measure somewhat varied to restrict formality. 
Some were arranged in groups, some in lines to form 
avenues, whilst some of the larger ones were stood 
out singly. In all cases they looked very conspicuous, 
but to my mind too formal and hardy in keeping 
with the general system of French bedding which, 
although the flowers are tastefully blended, is some¬ 
what of a promiscuous nature. If the appearance 
of some of the tubs and plants was any criterion, I 
think the authorities must be of the same opinion as 
myself, as some of them appeared to be just dragging 
out a natural existence, and looked a remnant of 
former times. These latter remarks apply more to 
the place just alluded to 
Carpet bedding was not in evidence to any great 
extent, at least, not carpet bedding in the true sense 
of the term, although it still lingers there as in 
England, and I noticed some very clever and, to me, 
original designs worked out. Whilst speaking of 
carpet beddiog I observed in many private gardens, 
as also in public gardens, that there was a fancy for 
bedding on what we might call a semi-carpet style, 
that is, instead of using dwarf plants the designs 
would be worked out with plants of a taller habit. 
I also noticed, too, in this particular kind of bedding 
in some cases very tender plants were used, such as 
Crotons and Dracaenas of sorts; also Anthurium 
andreanum and one or two more of that section. It 
was in villa gardens where I saw these tender plants 
used, and where this style of bedding appeared to 
find special favour. 
I was very much struck by the absence of the 
Dahlia as a bedding plant ; in fact, I do not remem¬ 
ber seeing it grown anywhere except in one private 
garden to any marked degree, for reasons of their 
own. Perhaps the French do not favour this autumn 
subject for that purpose. Of climbing plants the 
Bignonia sanguinea seemed to be a general favourite, 
and by the manner it luxuriated it appeared to be 
quite at home, the dark red, tubular flowers showing 
up with very striking effects. With the exception of 
the above-mentioned plant, which, by the way, is 
very common, as I noticed it in many cottage gar¬ 
dens, and on old, disused walls, I did not come across 
anything very striking among the climbing plants ; 
in many places where one would expect to find them 
they were conspicuous by their absence. 
Jardin d’Acclimatisation. 
As the period of my visit to France was very 
limited, and as I had then no idea of writing this 
paper, it consequently did not occur to me to take 
any special notes, so what I bave recorded here is 
principally from memory. That being so I do not 
think I have anything more to add that I can re¬ 
member on Paris gardening proper. I will now deal 
with a few notes I have made on private gardens 
outside Paris. As we are all more or less interested 
in private gardens, perhaps these few remarks might 
be more congenial to your minds than the preceding, 
but before I proceed I will just say a few words on 
the Jardin d’Acclimatisation. This garden is situated 
just outside of Paris, and is similar to our Zoological 
Gardens, with a dash of the Crystal Palace thrown 
in, and it is with the latter part of the establishment 
that my remarks will touch upon. 
Whoever is head of the management of the horti¬ 
cultural department, well, to say the least, it is a 
credit to him and his staff. The bedding, which is 
somewhat extensive, would compare favourably with 
any that I saw, either in public or private gardens, 
for taste, neatness, and in quality. Mostly all the 
principal bedding plants were represented and 
labelled, Begonias (tuberous) and Cannas playing the 
most important part. The glass department was 
somewhat extensive, and appeared to be in capital 
order, fitted up with the latest improvements, includ¬ 
ing the electric light. The principal and most interest¬ 
ing building in this department is the conservatory. 
I say interesting advisedly, for I never saw Nature 
more successfully imitated than it was in this particu¬ 
lar house, all formality as regards arrangement being 
entirely dispensed with. It was simply an arrange¬ 
ment made up of grotto-work, caves, rockwork, 
fountains, miniature bridges, &c., and shadowed with 
tree Ferns, Palms, Bamboos, and undulated with 
other suitable plants ; whilst here and there would be 
hollows, carpeted with Selaginella kraussiana, with 
stately Palms or Bamboos rising out singly, the whole 
growing most luxuriantly, and with very natural 
effects. The adjoining houses, however —as, indeed, 
all the others—were furnished in the usual way with 
pot plants and others planted out. Most of the 
stove and greenhouse plants were represented; so, 
too, were Orchids, though not in a very marked de¬ 
gree. Still, those that were there gave one the im¬ 
pression that no novice was attending their require¬ 
ments. I noticed one house filled with choice 
Vandas and Anthuriums growing together, showing 
fine spikes and spathes. Whether there was any¬ 
thing else in this house more prejudicial to the 
public than the plants just alluded to I am not in a 
position to say, as I was debarred from going inside 
by bars being placed across the doorway. Perhaps 
the usual “Please do not touch” had not had the 
desired effect. 
(To be continued.) 
-- 
HYBRID ORCHIDS. 
Dr. Masters occupied the chair on the occasion of 
Mr. Jas. O’Brien’s lecture on hybrid Orchids which 
was delivered before the Royal Horticultural Society 
on the 14th inst. 
In his opening remarks, Mr. O'Brien referred to 
the able lecture by Mr. H. J. Veitch on the " Hybri¬ 
disation of Orchids,” which appeared in the society's 
Journal for 1895, and also to the interesting remarks 
made by Mr. C. C. Hurst upon “ Some of the 
curiosities of Orchid Breeding.” These gentlemen 
had covered a good deal of ground, and he wished, 
therefore, to deal with the matter from a purely cul¬ 
tural point of view. Each year brought with it a 
number of hybrid Orchids from various sources that 
upon comparison with the parent plants might not 
appear to be any improvement, but the fact should 
not be lost sight of that flowering, as they did at a 
different season from either of the parents, they 
helped to lengthen the season of flower in their 
houses. In the case of Laelia Perrini many hybrids 
raised from it flowered in the dead of winter, and 
were thus proportionately valuable. Generally 
speaking, the hybrid progeny tended to approach the 
female parent in time of blooming. 
Many varieties of Cypripediuras had been brought 
into existence by unhappy crossing, of which it 
could only be said that they were weeds, and their 
kind. The synonyms, too, were very puzzling and 
exasperating, and he hoped to see this put straight 
before long. 
Passing on to the fertilisation of Orchids, the lec¬ 
turer said that cross fertilisation effected by insects 
was the now accepted theory, although self fertilisa¬ 
tion did undoubtedly take place in some instances. 
To this he thought were due the poor strains or 
forms of certain kinds that were occasionally found. 
With regard to the seeding of the plants in their 
native habitats he believed that the production of 
seed was not nearly so common as it appeared to be. 
Occasionally certain species were observed to be 
carrying numbers of seed capsules, but there were 
no seeds in them, He thought that these seedless 
capsules were caused by the irritation of the stigma- 
tic surfaces by dust or other foreign bodies. 
Lehmann had said that the number of seed vessels 
produced by Orchids was smaller in comparison to 
the number of the flowers, although in some wind¬ 
swept, exposed spots certain species would produce 
a lot of seed vessels, whilst the same species in 
more sheltered spots would bear but few. This went 
to support the lecturer’s contention that irritation 
by grit and dust was the real cause of the appearance 
of a number of capsules. 
Mr. O. Brien then went on to speak of the difficul¬ 
ties with which the Orchid hybridist had to contend 
in this country. First of all he had to arrange the 
temperature to suit the young plants. Again, much 
of the seed sown never possessed the power of 
germinating, and there were many failures on that 
account alone. Then there was the lack of sunshine 
throughout a considerable part of the year, and this 
had to be seriously considered. 
The question of affinity in relation to the govern¬ 
ment of crosses was next discussed. Crosses had 
been effected between apparently the most unlikely 
species and genera, whilst other plants which it was 
expected might be tractable, had yielded no results. 
Others again could ODly be employed in one way. 
Thus Laelia digbyana, although it had been exceed¬ 
ingly useful as a pollen agent, had, as yet, yielded no 
seed itself. 
Passing to the consideration of cultural details, 
Mr. O'Brien pointed out the necessity for affording 
