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THE ART OF GARDEN DESIGN IN ITALY 
the back with two dicetce (apartments), whose windows look on the vestibulum of the villa,’ and 
another more rough and fruitful garden, ‘the kitchen garden.’ From here extended an enclosed 
portico, with a range of windows overlooking the sea on one side and the garden on the other side, 
ingeniously arranged so that in windy or bad weather either side could be thrown open. ‘ Before the 
enclosed portico is a xystus fragrant with sweet-scented violets, and warmed by the reflexion of the 
sun from the portico, which, while it retains its rays, keeps away the north-east wind; and it is as 
warm on this side as it is cool on the side opposite ; in the same way it is a protection from the wind 
on the south-west, and thus, in short, by means of its several sides, breaks the force of the winds from 
whatever quarter they may blow. These are some of its winter advantages; they are still more 
appreciable in the summer-time ; for at that season it throws a shade upon the terrace ( xystus ) during 
the whole of the forenoon, and upon the adjoining portion of the gestatio and garden in the afternoon, 
casting a greater or less shadow on this side or on that as the day increases or decreases. But the 
portico itself is coolest just at the time when the sun is hottest: that is, when the rays fall directly 
upon the roof. Also, by opening the windows you let in the western breezes in a free current, which 
prevents the place getting oppressive with the close and stagnant air. At the upper end of the terrace 
and portico stands a detached garden building, which I call my favourite: my favourite, indeed, as I 
