HONOURED BY PARIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 170, 19 July 1924, Page 17

HONOURED BY PARIS.

ASPARAGUS COMES INTO ITS OWN. QUEEN OF BEAUTY 'ASSISTS.' (By GEORGE CECIL.) Beauty and the arts, literature and wine, scientists and politicians, laundresses and anglers, have long been feted in Paris. Indeed, almost everything and everybody is honoured in turn, for the Parisians delight in rendering homage where they believe it is due. And now asparagus, after decades of pining for its own.

Just one hundred years ago a famous vegetablo-gaTden suburb of Paris produced its first crop of asparagus, and the renown of the beds has increased as the years have rolled by. So the local authorities recently arranged a special fete and procession, which included a Queen of Beauty (no function of this kind is complete unless loveliness is dragged into it) and two poets, who, preceding the Queen's car, twanged lyres and recited odes to the honoured vegetable. Appropriate music (of a most delicate and ultra-refined nature) was played by a military band, while at the head of the cortege there marched eight gourmets of the highest repute. The Queen, in place of n sceptre, carried an enormous bunch of asparagus in her right . hand, the left being employed in waving salutations to the crowd. To a favoured few Her Majesty blew chaste kisses. Asparagus was employed in the decorating of the lady's person, for the Royal robe was of the three tints to be found in the feted vegetable, as also were the Queen's shoes and stockings. Points d'asperges nestled in her hair, and the crown was of asparagus rampant—jewelled with clusters of tips. A truly regal and imposing figure; one which did honour to the fete. The Town Hall Function. The procession having reached the Town Hall, the Maire. supported by his adjutants, a vast collection of municipal officials, the depute of the district, and the Minister of Agriculture, received the Queen of Beauty and asparagus. Embracing the lady (officially) upon both cheeks, his Worship thanked her, in an inordinately long speech, declaring that Paris would never forget the niovj ing sight of her asparagus-decked I beauty. Each of the adjutants spoke to the same effect; a similar privilege was extended to the municipal officials; and the depute and the Minister were so eloquent that, if applause is any eritcrion, they might have repeated their efforts. Mercifully, the twain refrained. The festival closed with a banquet, asparagus, very properly being the principal dish. The Queen sat next the Maire, the first , toast of the occasion being 'Tepavtaute Reine de Beaute." She was, in fact, referred to in all the subsequent toasts, for the Frenchman, being an ultra-gallant fellow, never loses an opportunity of harping on his favourite theme. Conquering woman rules France. Favours to Come. Connoisseurs .fonly hope that the impetus thus given to the industry will have an effect upon the activities of asparagus-growers throughout the country, for of late years this most esteemed of dainties has.not been cultivated to advantage, gardeners having been content to rest on their laurels. "The asparagus," avow scientific gourmets, "will, if left to its own devices, recede in flavour." The threatened calamity is so terrible a thing that it will not bear thinking of for a single instant. Consequently, the Government, determined to uphold the prestige of the agreeable product, is offering money prizes to interest market gardeners. Great things are expected, and equally great things no doubt will be achieved. It is proposed next summer to hold an exhibition, in Paris of asparagus from all parts of France. Famous experts are to judge the raw material, and distinguished gastronomists will, at an official dinner, devour the winning exhibits, Excitemei t already runs high.