1846.] Jigriculture of Different Countries. 287 



quantities, and several sorts of wines of excellect quality are pro- 

 duced; the red port wine is much drank in England and the 

 United States. Although the country affords excellent pastures, 

 grazing is little attended to. Corn is raised in so small quanti- 

 ties that it is necessary to import it. 



SARDINIA. 



Face of the Country. — The country exhibits very diversified 

 scenery. Savoy is an Alpine country, separated by an enormous 

 mountain ridge from the Italian peninsula, and intersected by 

 lofty mountains covered with snow and ice. Piedmont and 

 Montserrat form the western extremity of the wide valley of the 

 Po. The maritime districts are mountainous, and the Island of 

 Sardinia is intersected by several mountain ridges of small eleva- 

 tion. 



Climate. — In the valley of Savoy, there is often fine spring 

 weather Avhen the high grounds are covered with snow. In this 

 part, the climate is too severe for southern fruits. The valley of 

 Piedmont is subject to the cold northerly winds from the Alps; 

 yet the air is healthy and the vine flourishes. In the south the 

 Appenines afford a shelter against the northern blasts; here the 

 olive and the fruits of the south prosper. Sardinia has a hot 

 climate; and in the marshy spots, putrid fevers are common in 

 summer. 



Soil. — The soil of Savoy is strong and unfavorable to agricul- 

 ture. The fertile earth lies in a thin strata on the rocks, and is 

 often washed away by the torrents. In Piedmont, Montferrat, 

 and the Milanese are level and rich alluvial tracts. The soil in 

 the island of Sardinia is extremely fertile; but the canals which 

 formerly drained it are neglected, and many parts have become 

 pestilential swamps. 



Agriculture. — The arable land is held by large proprietors, 

 who divide their estates into small portions among farmers. The 

 farmers seldom become proprietors, but in general the land de- 

 scends from father to son. The proprietor receives half of the 

 product for rent and the use of the cattle which are his property; 



