Exotic trees in France

274. The idea of cultivating and naturalising foreign trees in France was first projected by Du Hamel, in the time of Louis XV. He procured many seeds from America, raised them in the royal nurseries, and distributed them among his friends. A vast plantation of exotic trees was then made at St. Germain-en-Laye by the Marechal de Noailles. Lamoignon naturalised on his estate at Malesherbes a great number of these trees; and, at the age of eighty-four, Deleuze observes, saw spread generally in France plants of his own introduction. M. Vilmorin has also formed extensive plantations on his estate at Barres, near Nogent.