Garda

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

LAKE OF (the Lacus Benacus of the Romans), the largest lake of Italy, between Lombardy and Venetia, its N. end extending into the Austrian Tyrol. Situated 216 feet has an area of 115 above sea-level, it square miles, a length of 37 miles, a breadth of 2 to 11 miles, and a maximum depth of 1916 feet. Its chief tributaries are the Sarca and Ponale, and it is drained by the Mincio, a tributary of the Po. Along the W. shore the mulberry, fig, grape, myrtle, and citron are grown in the sheltered gardens, many of them terraced; olives flourish most on the opposite bank. The clear waters of the lake abound in fish of various kinds. The mild climate in the district of the lake, and the beauty of its vicinity, have caused its shores to be lined with beautiful villas; and the district between Garguano and Salo, called by the people La Riviera, passes for the warmest point in northern Italy. Arco, near the head of the lake, is a favorite winter resort. GARDEN. The earliest gardens of which there is any account are those of Solomon, which are described as having been of quadrangular form, surrounded by high walls. They contained aviaries, wells, and streams of water. The gardens of Cyrus and other Persian monarchs were of great extent, and generally first laid out in romantic situations. The allusion to terraces in gardens is to be found in the description of the celebrated hanging gardens of Babylon. The terraces are described as being furnished with groves, containing fountains, seats, parterres, and banqueting rooms, and as combining the minute beauties of flowers and foliage with masses of light and shade and extensive prospects. The grove of Orontes, described by Strabo, must be regarded as a park or large garden in the picturesque style; it was 9 miles in circumference. In ancient | Greece, gardening was rather a neglected art at first, but in process of time great advance was made. The vale of Tempé, the Academus at Athens, and other public gardens, were extremely elegant, and were ornamented with temples, altars, tombs, statues, monuments, and towers. The Greeks copied their gardening from the Persians; and the Romans, in their rn and style of turn, followed the pattern the Greeks. See HORTICULTURE; GRAFT ING; HOTBED.