294- JOURNAL OF THE EOYAL ITORTTCULTUR AL SOCIETY. 



TEEES AND GARDENS AT ATHENS. 

 By D. S. Fish, F.R.H.S. 



On entering the port of Piraeus one becomes aware of the strong scent 

 of the Aleppo Pine {Pinus liaJeperisis) that grows so freely on the hills 

 around Athens. This tree is valued for its resin, v^hich is put to a 

 variety of uses, including even the flavouring of wine, the renowned 

 " retsinato " being impregnated with this substance. 



In order to obtain the resin, the trunks of the trees are rudely 

 slashed, many of the cuts being two or three feet long. This is prob- 

 ably why the trees around Athens never reach a large size. 



As the Aleppo Pine and the Cypress {Cupressus sempervirens) 

 withstand the heat and dryness of the summer better than any other 

 tree yet tried, they are still extensively planted. Although the 

 Acropolis is treeless a good deal of trouble has been taken to form 

 plantations (unfortunately of a highly inflammable nature) on the steep 

 slopes of Mount Lyabettos. 



Towards the base of the hill of Philoppapos also, many Pines and 

 Cypresses have been set out. Near the so-called Prison of Socrates 

 many shallow holes were noticed, in which trees had not, for some 

 reason or other, been planted. Last August each little pit contained 

 several sturdy plants of Barnaby's Thistle {Centaur ea solstitmlis), the 

 bright yellow flowers of which created a somewhat curious effect, as 

 the plants grew only in the holes made for the trees, the intervening 

 ground probably being too hard and too dry for them at that time of the 

 year. 



Only in one or two instanoes are trees present to add to- the beauty 

 of the ancient monuments of Athens. The handsome columns of the 

 Olympieion (fig. 102) are certainly seen at their best when view^ed from 

 behind the Cypresses near the Arch of Pladrian. 



According to the Greek legend, Cecrops, the founder of Athens, 

 brought the Olive, about 1600 B.C., from Sais, an Egyptian city dedi- 

 cated to Minerva. In the Erechtheion on the Acropolis a young Olive 

 tree is growing on the spot where it is said that Athena victoriously 

 strove with Possidon. It occupies the place of the celebrated Olive 

 tree called forth by the goddess and which was partially destroyed 

 by the Persians in b.c. 480. 



As in bygone days, Oleanders cover the banks and sometimes the 

 bed of the Ilissos (dry in the summer). The showy pink flowers of 

 this shrub, together with the purple Chaste tree {Vitex Agnus-castus), 

 enliven the rivers and streams throughout Greece. The pretty ivy-like 

 Cynanchum acuiuni frequently climbs over the Vife.v. 



The street avenues of the graceful Pepper tree {Schinns iiwlJe), with 

 ils weeping brandies of fern-like leaves and coral-red berries, cannot 



