A VIRGILIAN WOOD

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1028, 19 July 1930, Page 26

A VIRGILIAN WOOD

FREES BEING PLANTED IN POET’S MEMORY A Virgilian wood, the dream of many an admirer of the great Roman poet, is becoming a reality now that the 2.000 th anniversary of Virgil's birth ts being celebrated. A tract of nearly 15 acres on the southern outskirts of Mantua, the poet’s birthplace, is to be dedicated in October to the mem ory «f the poet who so much loved woods and rivers and ural life. Examples of all the nearly 200 trees and plants mentioned oy Virgil In his poems are now being put to grow itthis ample garden spot. Poplars have been planted at either side of the spacious walk that leads into the wood from the city, and firs, laurels, oaks, chestnuts, beeches and pines, as well as many varieties of fruit trees, are being set out. Beyond the planted area is a large territory of marsh, woodland and field and it is planned to leave this section in its virgin state. An open space at the end of the poplar-flanked way will serve for festivals, meetings and page ants. The planted area is being made to appear as much as possible like a Roman garden of the first century oe fore. Christ. Scholars are in dispute as to the place where Virgil was born, but the majority of them agree that it was in the vicinity of Mantua, so a Virgillan wood at Mantua is especially fitting During the period of the Napoleonii wars and the French occupation of Italy an Italian architect obtained offi cial approval of plans for a Virgillan wood on a grand scale, but lack of funds and the coming of the Aus trlans put an end to the project. The idea was again pushed in the first 15 years of this century but after the war was well undtfr way there was no time to sing- paeans to a long dead Roman poet. This year is seeing the final realisation of the idea.