2 FLOWERS AND GARDENS OF MADEIRA 



and fertile land. In order to clear the ground of 

 the forests, which we are told clothed the island 

 to its very shores, the drastic measure of setting 

 fire to it was resorted to: hence the destruction 

 (as old historians assert that the fire raged for over 

 two years) of all the forests on the south side of 

 the island. 



Some feeling of disappointment entered my 

 mind when I first looked on the Bay of Funchal. 

 As compared to the wooded appearance the north 

 of the island presents, the south side, viewed from 

 the sea, appears to have much less vegetation. 

 Large stretches of pine woods, it is true, have 

 been replanted, and though they are used for 

 timber, and are felled before they attain any great 

 size, regulations exist which oblige any person 

 who cuts down a tree to plant another in its place. 

 Though I should imagine it is more than doubtful 

 whether this regulation is carried out to the letter, 

 the plantations are replanted, or the stock of 

 timber would otherwise soon become exhausted. 

 The fact that the south side of any island is 

 naturally the most suited for cultivation has also 

 led to the destruction of the woods, and on 

 approaching the island it is very soon seen that 

 every available inch of ground is cultivated in 



