Paris Exhibition.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5684, 18 November 1889, Page 2

Paris Exhibition.

I FROM OUH SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT]

Paris, September 25,

The random papers in which I have sought to give a general idea of the exhibition would bo materially incomplete wore I to omit all notice of the gardens and grounds of the Trocadero ; in themselves a living exhibition of the choicest trees, plants, and flowers in the world. The area utilised for the purpose is very extensive, the hothouses and conservatories on a great eesile, and there is a completeness about the whole which has probably never before been attained, and must be invaluable for the purposes of ecieucc. The rosaries contain veritably thousands of rose trees, all known varieties from every part of the world being represented. In May and June the effect of these in flower was gorgeous ; the blending of color from the pale roses of the far East to the brilliant crimson and the gleaming gold of Western Europe, is most effective. For a length of more than 500 yards along the Seine, to the left, of the central garden with its beautiful fountains, extends a belt of fruit trees. On my first visit, late in the spring, the air was redolent with perfumed fragrance; the apple, the pear, the poach, the apricot, the fig, and the almond were all in bloom, the buds on some just bursting, on others the young fruit disclosed by the falling , flowers. Tho trees are all trimmed with tho greatest care, so that no superfluous wood appears, and in some instances have been trained into queer shapes, cones, pyramids, and other geometrical shapes, to the sacrifice it must be conceived of their bearing powers. The exhibition of vegetables is admirably arranged. A market garden, similar somewhat to tliow* in tho environs of Paris, but of some considerable extent, is laid out, and there is to be seen every description of vegetable, frtm tho most common to the most choice and delicate, under cultivation in the most approved manner, and the most favorable circumstances. A system of irrigation is shown in work such as is now most ordinarily in use in certain central departments in France. By au ingenious contrivance, entirely simple in application, the water filtering through beds of prepared substance serves, after the fashion of tho Nile, as a fertilising us srellasa moistening agent.

Throughout tho grounds there are groups of conifers—pines in every known variety, cedars, cypresses, junipers, and other trees whose elegance and reiruliirity of form commend them to the landscape gardener. There are also masses of climbing plants, clematis, jasmine, wistiria, ivy, &c, trained and displayed to the best advantage. On one side of and a little below the Trocadero Palace there is a perfeut brake of fern trees flourishing in all their natural beauty, and close by a splendid maple, shadowed by whose foliage are a choice collection of the rare conifers of Japan. A labyrinth bordered and covert d in with the verdure of trees of every kind leads from here by devious ways to a " cool grot to," where, in a miniature lake of translucent water, are to be seen the most lovely and rare aquatic plants, among which are especially to bo noted magnificent specimens of the ni/mphea hybrtih's of Latour Mariuo. In front of the labyrinth ie v group of azaleas, a blaze of brilliant color, and in marked contrast a bed of heaths with their dark foliage and flowers of delicate rose and violet. It is impossible, however, to give by description more than a faint idea of tbeinterest and beauty of these gardens, displaying aa they do in perfection, either in the open air or under glass, the arboriculture and horticulture of every region under the sun. I may note, however, specifically the exhibits from Japan, inter alia a series of lovely lilies, planted in large white porcelain vases with blue mouldiugs, which show off to perfection the exquisite variegation of delicate coloring. The great feature, however, is the exhibition of dwarf forest trees, some of more than a century's growth. Under normal circumstances these attain prodigious altitude, but under specific treatment —the real secret of Which is religiously kept— they are only a few inches high, although in structure, foliage, and proportion perfect.

Since the ojß'uing , of the Exhibition in May, there have been held in the Trocadero gardens periodical horticultural shows, when valuable prizes, donated with lavish hand, ,havo attracted floriculturists, fruit, und vegetablo growers, professional and amateur, from erery part of Europe accessible for the purpose. On these occasions enormous tents were especially erected, and the number, variety, and excellence of the exhibits altogether surpassed anticipation. I whs able to visit the general .show of flowers and vegetables held early thi.s month (September), and was especially struck with the latter, the specimens in sever.il classes of which surpassed anything I had ever seen in England or tho colonies. The ouiumbers were something to remember; one classed as tho " snake cucumber " must have been several feet long, but involved in twisted coils, much as a python when exhibited in confinement under a glass cage. Tlui variety of tubers, especially the potato, was legion, and all the green vegetables prodigious in growth. On the whole, I was somewhat disappointed with the fruit; but tho period of tho season was, of course, not propitious ; too lute for the small fruits, rather early for tho orchard, grapes, and wall fruit. As it was, not to speak of Oovent Garden, I have seen finer— much finer — grapes in Dunediu, and grapes, i should have conceived, would have been a speciality in France. The chrysanthemum show whs to be held late in October, and I was told would be something gorgeous, and put a fitting crown upon these altogether most successful exhibitions. the curiosities in the gardens of

ho Trocadero is the pavilion of the forests,

a most picturesque edifice, original in conception and di-wign, every species of timber grown in Franco having been used in the conduction, and shown iv tho polished paiuiols of.tho facade and the roujjhlyhewn supporting columns. Tho general effect is that of a rustic chalet, the building being embosomed in trees, whilst un artificial

wuter course supplying the fountains in the interior, gushes down through and by the supporting piles. The Aduiinistratorz of Forests, charged with the organisation of this section of tho Exhibition, have carried out vory effectively the idea of showing what tho State forests of France produce, side by side with the monster trunks exhibited by Brazil, Mexico, the Argentine Kepublic, and Australasia. Tho forests of France are, as a matter of fact, excellently managed; furrowed throughout by roads and traoks to facilitate the traveller

and tho chase, as well as the work of the foresters. Tho thinning out and topping are intelligently regulated* the inspectors and conservators constant in their attention to re-plnining , and being in nearly .a.ll cases scientific men, devoting their leisure to the collection of flora and fauna for the museums of the Department. Tho want of funds—for tho Parliament of the Republic ia wont, lika other Parlia-

monts, to starve departments that are simply useful—has precluded however a great deal being done which is seen by the administration to be absolutely essential in the interests of the country. The opportunity therefore has been taken to show in a very graphic liianuer the struggle which is constantly being maintained against the almost irresistible foruq of inundations by controlling torrents, keeping them within definite channels, and consolidating mountain slopes which menace ruin below. These results

have been in many instances effected by judicious planting and re-plantiog. Entire

territories have been, as it were reclaimed, and villages have re-appeared whose copulation had fled before the flood and the* landslips. That much, however, that has been done, is but little of what circumstances ia many parts of France urgently demand ; but this means the immediate expenditure of perhaps millions of francs. The Adminis- \ tratiou, laudably desirous that this matter / should be thoroughly understood, illustrate Athese works not only by drawings, plans, J T and models, but by a series of dioramas, which rendor clear, even to the uninitiated the character and effect of the various operations. These dioramas, perfect in execution and striking in effeot, are exhibited in a manner which favors the passing through a dark anti-chamber, the spectator finds himself in a forester's or a quarry man's hut, as the case may be, all the sarioundings being realistically complet, and through the window or open door he views what mighi be—so far as appearance—the actual scene. In a very favorable review of the work of the Forest Department, a leading Paris journal remarks and the words are well worth taking to heart:— " Let the new world meditate, in the face of these devastations, checked at so enormous a cost upon the dangers of cutting down the natural timber of a country ; whilst it takes account of tho view which the disappearance of the forests eventually entails. It should be understood how urgent it is to check the reokless destruction of woods which may seem to be inexhaustible, and that it is indispensable to regulate the felling of all timber. In South aud North America, and Canuda and Australia trees of marvellous size are cut down without method or arrangements for replanting; entire forests are sometimes burnt to clear the ground for purposes of cultivation. The present occupants hasten to enrich themselves, troubling not at all about the generations who are to succeed them."