ITALIAN VINEYARDS 243 



circle round it plant other similar trees, allowing plenty 

 of space between. If variety is needed, then there can 

 be favourites such as ilexes, lilacs, chestnuts, or Lombardy 

 poplars. Between each tree are creepers upon tall 

 uprights, for which we can choose that lovely rose 

 " Tausendschon," hops, the Clematis montana (or others), 

 and loganberries. All these, if trained from one large 

 tree to another, form a dancing ring round the central one. 

 In Italy, we have often seen a triangular or irregularly 

 shaped terrace made beautiful by having standard fruit- 

 trees in the centre and an espalier of vines surrounding 

 them, marking out the limits of the terrace. 



It looks almost as if small children were holding hands 

 as they laughingly dance round tall people. Much 

 shadow can thus be obtained over an exposed piece of 

 ground, imparted by these outstretched arms. 



As our dream-thoughts float to the clear, deep blue sky 

 of Italy, we are reminded of two shades of green that go 

 with it to make the picture complete. We see before us 

 the grey-green of olive-trees, emblems of peace. When 

 war occurs and devastation follows upon it, these very 

 slow-growing trees do not reach maturity ; but when left in 

 peace, they flourish for many hundred years, and there is 

 about the colour of their foliage a restfulness which would 

 seem to soothe and bring quiet to the most overwrought 

 nerves. Then as we think of that lovable land, we see, 

 too, the bright green rye-grass beneath the trees, 

 which reminds us of Fra Angelico's representation of 

 Paradise. It is a steep hillside. Upon a carpet of 

 bright green, in which are also gay-coloured flowers, an 

 avenue of olive-trees opens towards a circle formed of 

 chestnuts, pines, and apple-trees all bright with fruit. 

 Saints and angels, their haloes gleaming, clad in many- 

 hued rainbow robes, with golden wings, form a circle, too, 

 amongst the trees. They all hold hands, and we can 



