ITALIAN VINEYARDS 235 



has been since the early 1850's, when his father held 

 office before him as keeper of the privy garden. Is it 

 worth while contending with his sullen mood ? Will the 

 alterations lead to greater expense in the upkeep of the 

 garden ? Most surely these questions have first to be 

 answered. In order to do so, let us study well the natural 

 gardens, the hillsides, the wooded slopes, the roadside 

 hedges, even the excavated chalk pits, which may help us 

 to meet the special requirements of the case. Should it be 

 necessary, let us not limit inquiries to our own country, 

 but, bearing our needs in mind, let us go farther afield to 

 foreign lands and see how they can assist us. 



As we emerge from the darkness of Mont Cenis tunnel 

 and wind down that wonderful valley which seems like 

 fairyland, so luxuriant and fruitful does it appear, we leave 

 the prosaic countries of France and Switzerland behind 

 and reach the summit of ambition, that lovely garden-land 

 of pergolas and vineyards. What a charm there is about 

 it! Our admiration is not alone for deep blue sky, 

 sparkling sunlight, magnificent outline of distant hills, 

 restful colouring of grey olives, dark green pines, luxuriant 

 vine-growth, groups of stately Cypress-trees. All this is 

 beautiful : but the marvellous industry that is everywhere 

 evident, the power, undaunted perseverance, and ceaseless 

 work of the people, are equally impressive. How each 

 mountain-side is terraced to retain all the moisture 

 possible, each small plateau of rich dark red earth retained 

 by skilfully erected stone banks and walls, each portion 

 of the ground carpeted with vegetables, fruit, or flowers. 

 What ingenious devices have to be resorted to in these 

 mountain gardens for carrying soil, manure, and water on 

 a hillside where the homely English wheelbarrow is unsuit- 

 able and unknown. These are the personal qualities of the 

 people that call forth admiration. Then, too, the ingenuity 

 with which solid supports are placed for the vines, arranged 



