ITALIAN VINEYARDS 



237 



A sort of sloping amphitheatre is often the result, and the 

 curves inwards and outwards shelter from north and east. 

 The ground is so steep that careful thought is given to 

 having adjacent three-feet-wide grass paths, along which 

 supplies of manure and water can be carried, because the 

 use of any conveyance upon wheels is impracticable. All 



Fig. 125. 



stones upon the land (and there are many) are skilfully 

 laid one on top of another to form supporting banks or 

 sheltering walls for the terraces (Fig. 125). 



The main object of this style of gardening is to obtain 

 shelter and retain moisture with very little expense. 

 Rain water, that most precious liquid for growing plants, 

 cannot run so easily away to a lower level of ground if 

 there are terraces, walls, and pergolas to delay its course. 



