PORTUGUESE GARDENS 15 



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are flowerless. The whole horticultural energy of 

 the owner of the little strip of garden has been 

 centred in the loving care bestowed on his few 

 treasured azaleas. A tiny plant, not more than 

 a few inches in height, will be far more valued than 

 its overgrown neighbour, if it should happen tc 

 be some new variety, possibly only bearing a few 

 blossoms, but perfect in form, of immense size, 

 single or semi-double, of a brilliant rose-red, clear 

 pink, salmon colour, or pure white. The culture 

 of azaleas does not seem to be peculiar to the 

 natives of Madeira, as from Oporto come numerous 

 sturdy little trees of all the most highly prized 

 varieties. The effect of well-grown specimens in 

 pots, arranged along the stone ledge of the garden 

 corridor, or grouped round the stone or, more 

 correctly speaking, plaster seat, which generally 

 finds a place in all these gardens, is very pleasing, 

 and well repays the care bestowed on the plants all 

 through the heat of the summer months. 



A corner of the garden must be devoted to fern- 

 growing, without which no garden in Madeira is 

 complete. In the gardens of the rich a little green- 

 house, or stufa is considered necessary for their 

 successful cultivation, but in many a shady, damp 

 corner of a humble cottage garden have I seen 



