508. Gardens of Valencia. In the city the most celebrated garden is that of the Baron Manuel; but those of the Marquis la Romana, the Plaza de San Domingo, the capuchins, the nuns of S. Catalina, and the newly erected royal gardens, are also worthy of note. Perhaps there is not throughout Spain a people so passionately fond of flowers as the Valencians: many employ themselves exclusively as florists, and find it a profitable employment. It is true, they cultivate but few species; their collections consisting only of wallflowers, roses, anemones, violets, jasmines, and a few lilies; but from these they have obtained such a multitude of varieties, particularly pinks, anemones, and wallflowers, that they must be considered proficients in floriculture. The carna tions of Valencia are eagerly sought for; and were it not that the communication with the interior is tardy and difficult, the growers would derive considerable profit from the sale of this plant alone. It is the only place in Spain where they grow pinks of a blue colour: those of straw and lemon colour are common. The only gardener in Madrid who gained a livelihood by his profession was a Valencian. The Archbishop of Valencia has a country-house, and beautiful gardens, at Puzol, near the city.
