A GARDEN IN VENICE 



and both fair, though one, the Austrian is dark, 

 to look at. 



Before arriving at this number, the old stable 

 having been turned to plant uses, a new one was 

 built, partly within the walls of a pleasaunce 

 house of the Patrician, so that no spick and span 

 new structure might stare at us. 



The fodder was at first difficult. Grass in 

 summer cut in the orchard and brought to the 

 stall, and hay in winter, are the staple foods of 

 the Venetian cow, who, except to drink, rarely 

 leaves the stable, and when she does seems in a 

 hurry to get back to it. 



To stall feed is necessary in this climate. In 

 summer the animal would suffer from heat and 

 flies, in winter from cold, and her feet would 

 destroy the pastures. But I found Venice hay 

 something like Venice milk, one was never sure 

 of what one could buy, and to suit Namouna's 

 fastidious taste I bought some acres at an island 

 some three miles off, called S. Erasmo. The 

 price paid was that of a foreigner to a native, 

 and I was told much too high, but I had 



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