292 Notes and Gleanings. 



feed for horses. Figs and oranges are grown largely, as is a'^:^© the almond. In 

 the southern part of the country, in Calabria, a considerable quantity of cotton 

 is cultivated, also licorice, that is said to be highly remunerative. Cultivation 

 seems to be thorough, and judiciously conducted : where required, on the hills, 

 a proper rotation of crops is carefully attended to. The implements of agricul- 

 ture are in appearance rude and uncouth, although they may answertheirpurposes. 

 The ploughs seem especially faulty ; the share often being simply a piece of tim- 

 ber sharpened to a point, and shod with 'von. Another instrument of which 

 much use is made is a very heavy hoe, in shape resembling the blade of a spade. 

 Much of the land is cultivated by hand, — a long-handled, pointed shovel being 

 used ; and this mode of tilling seems adapted to the light, rich, volcanic soils 

 of Southern Italy. Wheat is sown in rows, or drills, and in the spring is carefully 

 weeded : large numbers of men and women may be frequently seen so engaged. 

 Horses, oxen, cows, donkeys, and mules are all used as beasts of burden, 

 sometimes separately, sometimes together. An ox harnessed to a cart in the 

 shafts, with a donkey on one side and a horse on the other, is a not unusual 

 sight; and teams of buffaloes are not uncommon. The cattle are large, of a 

 gray color, with very large, spreading horns, very picturesque in appearance, 

 and handsome to the uninstructed eye : whether their points would equally suit 

 that of the grazier or not, I cannot say. 



The flora of Italy is very rich, and the wild flowers numerous and in great 

 variety. It seems to me, that, under the bright sun of this favored land, their 

 color takes a deeper hue and brighter tints than elsewhere. Many species, that 

 with us are grown only in greenhouses, here flourish in wild luxuriance : such, 

 for instance, as the cyclamen, that may be seen in the spring enlivening the 

 grass with patches of its bright crimson flowers ; and camellias, that are as com- 

 mon as roses with us. 



All the hardy fruits are cultivated ; apricots very good, a speciality, as it were, 

 of Naples ; cherries ; and peaches of two sorts, — one early, large, and very good ; 

 the other late, suitable for preserving. I cannot, however, speak of these from 

 my own observation, as I have never been in Italy in their season. In winter, 

 the market is well supplied with grapes, apples, pears, and oranges. Grapes, 

 both the white and purple varieties, are very good (one of them, a white grape 

 resembling the Malaga, may be kept until spring). Apples are of half a dozen 

 sorts ; and those of which I have tasted were of good flavor, with a tender flesh, 

 but rather deficient in juice. Of winter pears, I have seen but one variety ; but 

 this one supplies the place of numerous sorts with us, and, as I think, the most 

 valuable variety of any with which I am acquainted. It is a good-sized, hand- 

 some pear, tender, very juicy, of a very pleasant flavor ; does not shrivel or 

 decay; keeps all winter, and is in eating from December until April or May, 

 seeming to ripen in succession. This pear seems to be cultivated universally 

 all over Italy. The only name by which it is known, so far as I can learn, is the 

 Spina, or Thorn Pear. Whether it is to be found in American collections or not, 

 I cannot say : I suspect not. If it is, I think it must be unsuited to that climate, 

 and cannot there attain perfection. Oranges, especially about Naples, are very 

 fine. Sorrento oranges are celebrated for their excellence. 



