ORNAMENTAL POTS 6i 



consider the symmetry with which it has been laid out 

 (Fig. 50- 



The garden is divided into formal beds, outlined by 

 clipped box-edges. Circles play a great part in Italian 

 gardens, and in this one, as will be seen, there are many 

 curves. Fruit-trees with irises and bulbs beneath, or 

 fruit-trees and vegetables, are in the centre of the large 

 beds. All round them are five-feet-wide flower-borders. 



When we are there in early April we notice, within 

 the box-edging, at regular intervals in the centre of the 

 flower-border, flat slabs of grey stone. They vary 

 slightly in shape and pattern, but each has a cross cut 

 deep into the stone. This is because, later, the lemon and 

 orange trees, when it is warm enough for them to be 

 brought out, will stand upon these stones. All moisture 

 that runs away from the pots can freely escape by means 

 of the grooves cut into the stone slabs. The trees con- 

 sequently flourish, for no stagnant moisture will remain 

 near their roots. 



It is May when the eventful day comes round again. 

 The padrone has given the order, warm sunshine has come, 

 and there is no longer danger for the little trees. For 

 some days an increasing amount of air has been admitted 

 to the orangery, but to-day there is no doubt about it, and 

 all windows and doors are thrown open. Good-looking, 

 excitable, untidy Alphonso commands the men. We do 

 not understand their language, but to judge by gestures, 

 wild looks, and constant moppings of the brow, they are 

 being goaded on by him to efforts that far surpass the 

 human strength of each. There is in every Italian, how- 

 ever, a kind of traditional interest in this great day, the 

 harbinger of summer, and so, indolence being overcome, 

 with pushes, pulls, and many shouts the lemon and orange 

 trees come rolling out. Some are on trollies, others upon 

 rollers. It takes a long time to place them all, and until 



