134 AFOOT THROUGH THE 



and the sweet honeysuckles were pleasing vision, and 

 as I worked round towards the " Bund," or high embank- 

 ment of the Jhelum, where are many gardens, the hedges 

 of yellow briar, the stately hollyhocks, twelve and fifteen 

 feet high, of such gorgeous tints as are hardly dreamed 

 of at home, and the almost dazzling masses of portu- 

 lacas grown by the natives in every piece of waste 

 ground, were a refreshment to the eyes. 



A welcome refreshment to the inner woman was 

 awaiting my return, for a kind friend, hearing of my 

 return, had sent a vast store of delicious vegetables, 

 great stalks of asparagus, lettuces of the juiciest, arti- 

 chokes in a noble crown with multi-coloured supporting 

 radishes, beet, carrots, new potatoes, and scarlet 

 tomatoes, a fine offering and very acceptable after my 

 somewhat monotonous diet of the last few weeks. 

 Flanking this " dali " (native word used for any kind of 

 present sent in a basket) were good specimens of the 

 early fruits of the valley enormous black and white 

 mulberries, early cherries red and black, strawberries, 

 vying with the best in England, yellow raspberries, 

 walnuts, and dried apricots. These are very good for 

 cooking, and are generally eaten in this state, the 

 " khobani " here not equalling those found in 

 the Himalayas. Later on in July the peaches ripen, 

 and the pears, and then is the time for the epicure to 

 visit this land of " fruits and springs." Such mammoth 

 specimens will be sold him for an anna or two that he 

 will risk all possible deadly consequences in order that 

 none may be wasted, and when, besides these, the 

 grapes and apples, plums, and figs are ripe, he will be 

 certain to feel that Srinagar must be Pomona's own 

 especial capital. 



