256 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
March 21,1895. 
garden, and were all hard at work with picks and shovels without 
having given me notice (the Englishman’s house being his castle is not 
so well appreciated in Italy as in England). However, the foreman and 
I were soon friends, as he told me he had lived in England for some 
time. Pieces of the roots of every Vine were examined by these rough 
labourers, and it is remarkable how they are easily able to detect any 
sign of the pest. I did not feel at all at ease until they had taken their 
departure, as the remedies employed for preventing the ravages of 
phylloxera are very severe in Italy. Immediately the disease is dis¬ 
covered the very next day a large troop of men appear with their 
implements, superintended by the Government Delegate, and inject 
sulphide of carbon into the ground at about every 2 metres. All 
parts of the Vine, branches, leaves, and roots are dug up, and placed in 
heaps and fired. Wherever the injector is inserted everything living 
within a radius of 2 to 3 metres is effectually destroyed, and nothing 
will grow, so I was informed, for nearly five years after. The Govern¬ 
ment compensate to the extent of 30 per cent, on one year’s crop. 
While I was living at Pallanza the phylloxera was discovered on a 
very large portion of the Monte Eosso, tenanted by men who had 
supported their families for many years by the cultivation of Vines and 
Beans. The Government Delegate was informed that any attempt to 
interfere with the soil would be resisted by force. At the approach of 
the Carabinieri and soldiers bells were sounded, and the women and 
children mustered in great numbers and clung to the invaders, so that 
they were powerless to do anything. Finally the Government abandoned 
the affair. Plants are forbidden to be sent out of an infected district, 
although fiowers and cuttings may be sent by pattern post. There is 
also a great deal of difficulty and trouble in introducing plants into 
Italy from England, except by pattern post, owing to Great Britain 
having declined to enter into the Berne Convention. 
My friend informed me very seriously that Italy had to thank 
England for the introduction of phylloxera, and stated that it was traced 
to some private vinery in England. Not being in a position to contra¬ 
dict this statement I merely laughed, and replied that it was fortunate 
for him that England had been so attentive, as otherwise he might not 
have found employment. 
In all good vineyards the Vines are syringed three or four times 
during the season as a preventive against mildew, which the natives call 
“ Peronospera.” The mixture employed usually consists of 6 kilos, or 
about 13 lbs. sulphate of copper to 100 litres of water, with sufficient 
lime to give substance. The object of the lime is that the sulphate of 
copper may not be so easily washed off by rain. I mention this little 
point, as I have recently observed in the horticultural press other reasons 
for the use of the lime. The effect of the application is plainly notice¬ 
able, as where not used the leaves are more or less withered before the 
berries are ripe, and in consequence the fruit is impoverished. I may 
mention that in this district the white Muscat suffered most from Vine 
mildew, and was, of the four kinds I have mentioned, certainly the least 
robust. 
I observed that Vine mildew and Chrysanthemum mildew were most 
prevalent in Italy during the two hottest months—viz., July and August, 
and it has seemed to me as not improbable that the great variations in 
the temperature during these two months might at least be responsible 
for the encouragement, if not actually the origin of these diseases. 
Vines are usually planted about 10 to 12 feet apart, are allowed four 
rods, and are trained to closely cut Mulberries, Laburnums, or other 
trees, or strong stakes supported triangularly, but very frequently they 
are formed into arched avenues. The berries keep well for months if 
cut with the foliage and hung in ventilated rooms. After they have 
been pressed for wine the skins are again pressed into circular shapes 
and dried in the sun, and are then used by the poor class for firing. The 
leaves are generally removed from the trees just before they would 
naturally fall, and are put to various uses ; there, therefore, is not much 
waste in the “ Vine,” although I observed that the sampling of the 
produce seemed on rather an extensive scale. 
One cannot pass through this district without admiring the trees and 
their luxurious growth, and what is particularly striking at first is that 
they seem to have no rest whatever, for almost as soon as the leaf has 
fallen the bud appears again, and I suppose that is owing to this con¬ 
tinuous and rapid growth that the timber is soft and coarse-grained, 
and an interesting comparison is seen with the English and Italian 
Oak, but especially is observable the rapidity of the growth of the 
Acacia. 
An arborist or a lover of trees would find sufficient interest and 
pleasure for some time in the Isola Madre, about half a kilometre from 
the shore of Pallanza. This island is of considerable repute for its very 
choice and rare collection of trees, and is a show place like its sister 
island, the Isola Bella. I have heard that there is no other such repre¬ 
sentative collection of tropical trees so near to England as is to be found 
on this island. The two islands I have mentioned, and also the Isola 
Piscatori, which is only inhabited by fishermen, are known as the Bor- 
romean Islands and belong to the old Italian family of Borromeo. 
Conifers, Ehododendrons, and Azaleas are magnificently represented at 
the Villa Clara Baveno, where Her Majesty stayed in 1879. Magnolias 
flourish and abound everywhere, and there are some typical examples in 
the noted Franzosini Gardens. Fratelli Rovelli of Pallanza have also a 
very fine and extensive collection of trees of all kinds, and are specially 
famed for their Conifers. 
How well the climate and soil suit trees and how easily they grow 
may be partly seen in an instance which I will quote. I was having a 
tennis lawn made in my garden, and it was necessary to remove two 
good-sized Apple trees, the trunks of which were not less than 18 inches 
in diameter. My surprise was great when I saw that these two trees 
were only resting on soil of about 6 inches in depth, the rock being 
immediately underneath, and that the roots which were only just covered 
extended for a very long distance. The trees were standards, probably 
thirty years old, and to see them as it were with their big trunks only 
just resting on the top of the ground, much impressed me at the time, as 
it seemed as if the slightest breath of air must of necessity blow them 
down. They amply conveyed to my mind how beautifully controlled 
are the laws of gravitation in Nature. 
The climate clearly points out the effect of dry versus moist air, as 
flowering plants, which require protection in England, flourish in 
Italy when there is a stiff and continuous frost, and as a foremost and 
most simple example I may instance the Camellia. I cannot presume 
to adequately describe Camellias in bloom in Italy, but once having 
seen them the effect can never be forgotten. The trees grow to a 
considerable height, and are smothered with blossom from top to 
bottom. 
Palms thrive in the open, as also the Mimosa, Oleanders, and 
Bamboos ; but those shrubs and plants that are apt to suffer or break 
their branches from snow are generally protected with straw caps or 
umbrellas. In this district snow is very capricious, but, roughly 
speaking, except on the mountains it rarely falls to any great depth or 
lasts for any time, although I am able to say that this season has been 
an exceptional one there. When there is a fall of snow, it is at once 
seen that Bamboos are not lovers of a snowy country, in consequence of 
the extensive snapping of the canes after only a slight fall. The effect 
of a fall of snow of any extent is often very disastrous to trees and 
shrubs by reason of their very luxuriance. Hydrangeas and Salvias are 
very fine, while the Castor-oil Plant also grows very freely, and pro¬ 
duces a very decorative effect. 
Eoses are luxuriant, although the semi-double and Monthly Eoses 
seem to do best ; but the climbing varieties are the most patronised. 
Mardchal Niel grows freely, but I missed the charming, and if I may say, 
original shade of yellow of the long and graceful bud as seen in this 
country. So far as I was able to judge the sun seemed to be too much 
for the large double flowers, and reds soon lost their colour. A very 
popular Eose in this district, and one which is often seen on the houses, 
is I think known as Fortune’s Yellow. The flower, although of some 
size, has not much substance, but its tints are exquisite. A house not 
far from mine was covered to the roof with this variety, and the effect 
can be better imagined than described. I believe this variety does not 
flourish here. 
Eoses are practically not cultivated, and do not succeed as standards, 
possibly due to the great heat affecting the trunk ; and I would remark, 
if I may, although I have only a very little practical experience of 
standards either in the case of Eoses or fruit, that it has seemed to me 
theoretically that there might be the same disadvantage to standards in 
this country, though from the opposite cause—viz., cold, and I have 
often desired to ask whether the “ canker ” of fruit trees is evenly 
balanced between standards, bush or other systems of cultivation. 
Geraniums are not a success, as they go to leaf, and often very little 
of that; but Gannas are evidently suited to the climate, and are most 
useful, and require but little attention. 
The mountains have quite a little flora of their own, and include 
such flowers as the Gentian, Edelweiss, and many kinds of Cacti, which 
blossom profusely. 
The growth of grass is remarkable, the crops varying from two to 
four in a season. I sowed a lawn with seed in the first week of April 
and at the beginning of the next month the grass had grown 1^ inch in 
height, but it would have been entirely burnt had 1 not paid great 
attention to it. Lawns in Italy will not bear comparison with well 
kept English grass, the sun perhaps being considerably responsible for 
this, but rolling, which I never saw a native doing, would have doubtless 
improved matters. My lawn was the recipient of many compliments 
entirely due to the roller, but I may state that wherever an Englishman 
resided his garden was generally a subject of remark. The effect of 
burning grass, as also the use of wood ashes on a silicious soil, produced 
a highly satisfactory result. 
Vegetables in this district give much trouble, especially to suit an 
Englishman’s fastidious tastes. Even the native sorts do not succeed 
well in this part, and English varieties, with but few exceptions, are out 
of the question. The climate suits Melons admirably, but Tomatoes 
from English seed have a great deal of disease, although the native kinds 
seemed to be exempt, and were also more bitter in flavour than ours. 
Maize is extensively cultivated in this part, polenta forming one of the 
chief articles of food for the poor. 
Fruit trees such as Apples, Pears, Plums, Cherries, Japanese Medlars, 
Apricots, Peaches, and Figs all bear immense crops, depending greatly 
on the weather of the month of May, the two evils being cold wind and 
hail (I believe this is also the case in England). In the absence of these, 
good crops may be expected, although, as with us. Apples and Plums 
alternate more or less. Figs fruit twice, and are very luscious, as also 
are Peaches, the fruit being much softer and more juicy than English 
Peaches, and, what is an important point, are marvellously cheap; but 
of Grapes it is difficult to speak, as I cannot say whether it is the flavour 
or the thinness of the skins or the quantity that makes Italian Grapes 
so much appreciated, but probably it is the tout ensemlle. They should 
not, however, be eaten too generously and without care, as they form a 
very important medicine on the continent, for besides that which is 
known as the “ Grape cure,” which I believe is efficacious in consumptive 
cases, the Grape has other medicinal properties— e.g., I heard from a 
recognised authority that Grapes eaten in the early morning have a 
