22 FLOWERS AND GARDENS OF MADEIRA 



the finer American grasses have been found 

 successful, especially for growing under large 

 trees, which is most useful, as nothing is so un- 

 satisfactory as the effect of trees growing out of 

 would-be flower-beds. All the beauty of the trees 

 is lost through the outline of the stems being 

 confused by the surrounding plants, which in 

 themselves are probably poor specimens, owing to 

 the fact that they are constantly being starved 

 through the goodness of the soil being absorbed by 

 the roots of the trees. 



Stone balustrades are unknown in Madeira, 

 where cement or plaster has to take the place of 

 stone. Simple designs can be carried out by this 

 means, but, as a rule, a low wall, only about two or 

 three feet in height, from which rise at intervals 

 square pillars, originally intended to support the 

 wooden cross-bars of the vine pergola, finishes the 

 terrace and gives it a very characteristic effect. 

 These pillars can be creeper-clad, and either stand 

 alone or support a canopy of wistaria, bignonia, or 

 some other gorgeous creeper. 



Any defect in the scheme of the gardens is amply 

 atoned for by the wealth of colour and abundance 

 of flowers they contain, at almost all seasons of the 

 year. 



