THE PLAINS OF LOMBARDY

Evening Star, Issue 16625, 7 January 1918, Page 4

THE PLAINS OF LOMBARDY

The threat to tho Lombard v Plains recalls Addison's explanation why the inhabitants of Northern Italy especially dreaded that these fertile lowlands should ever \» a field of battle (says the London 'Daily Chronicle'). In that dire event, he te-tte •jk, the rows of white mulberry trees, v/liish arc notable features of the landscape, would bo destroyed, and their destruction would spell min to many industries. For t£e leaves fed swarms of silkworms, swioe and poultry fattened on the fallen fro'*. the trunks of the trees were props for t£e vines, and the spreading, nmbrageov.s brandies gavo to the cornfields desirtd protection from the fierce heat of the gammsr sun. All which is as true to-day Os tt?o centuries ago. The fall of the leaves provides a free supply of valuable fcriilisfffs for the allotment,' of which holder-? take full advantage. In most suburbs possessing I"S9 avenues you may see the enthnsinsrw busy of a morninsr collecting sackQus oi dead leaves, to the lxmefit of their own holdings and the considerable reblef of tfee wayfarers.