The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-05-03
HOME AND ABROAD.
THE PLAIN OF LoMBARDY.
NORTHERN ITALY.


TIE FIELDS PIEDMONT AND TURIN
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. THE MOUNT
GEMS TUNNEL.
Foreign Correspondence of the Sentinel
LYoNs, March 5, 1S76.-The great plain
OF Lombary is an exceedingly interesting
part of Europa. Bounded by the Alpine,
Tyroleen and Apsnnine mountains, 1t was
no doubt, al one time, vast 1nlsnd sea
j saw many evidences Of ts.marine origin
during the several trips that L made
across it. In some places the immense
beds of gravel that had been formed by
ocean currents are yet only thinly COW
cred with soil. On this plateau, which
forms the northern part of Italy, are TO be
found many of it, old noted cities, Milan,
Venice, Turin, Verona, Padua, and many
others that have played an important part
in tie history of Europe. In these cities,
hOsry in their antiquity, Shakespeare
located some of his most popular tragedies.
Who can pass through Verona without
thinking of the passionate love OF Romeo
and Juliet the wit and iollity of the I'M
fortunate Mercutio, and all the other char
sctsrs of that exquisite poem! This sp-
psars to have been th6 great battle ground
of Europe. Upon this arena the nations
struggled with each other for victory and
supremacy. Here was fought some OF the
most decisive battles of ancient and mod
ern times. was exceedingly
interested In these localities,
made memorable by victories and
defeats that has often changed the entire
current of O nations history. Before re
fsrring 10 any Of those which saw, let
me state q few facts respecting the APP
pesrance of the country, the mode of farm
ing, the products of the soil, etc. This
great plain forms striking contrast to
the country through which 1t Is sp-
proacned. We fret saw it after descend
Inc ba oir,if oiH Of % ho n
range OF Alpine mountains. Then we alter
ward approached it alter passing through
the Apennines. The railway In this wild,
ragged, mountainous region Is remarka-
bic instance of modern enterprise and
engineering skill. winding its way, as IL
does, through vast ravines, crossing ioam-
ing torrents, trayersing lofty embsnk-
ments and penetrating the solid rock in
manner truly wonderful for this old slow
country. We always travelled on the ex-
press trains, and yet the speed was usually
very cautious and very slow, more espec-
tally during the crossing of any high en-
bankment. The Apennines scenery Is not
unlike that of the Alleghsnies about Cheat
river, through which the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad passes. There is
great variety, and sometimes beautiful
vistss open before you, but the
general appearance is of wild sterility.
Bat as soon as
THB LEVEL COUNTRY
is gained, everything is changed. The land
is level and rich, and every inch of it sp-
pears to be cultivated. There certainly ap-
pears to be more made of and out of the
land than in any country that have seen.
Fences are not as much used as in Egg
land or America, but the country Is full of
low, odd looking trees planted IL rows,
perhaps Fl teen or twenty feet apart. These
are mulberry trees from which the farmer
reaps valuable crop, not OF fruit, but OF
leaves. The bole or stem of these trees lie
never suffered TO reach over from ten to
fifteen feet in height. The limbs are con-
stsntly trimed and cut off. This is done
to make vigorous outgrowth of young
shoots, and of course, your < leaveg, which
are much more valuable than TIE old ones.
Then these trees serve as supports for
grape vines, one of which is planted by
every tree. These vines are often carried
eight to ten feet from the ground, from
tree or tree. After this the ground is thor
oughly cultivated and sown with wheat or
other grain. Some of the best growing
wheat that l have seen this year was
growing in fields like these. Thus a good
triple crop Is raised in one field ct one
time. When L first came to Italy /
could not imagine where the immense
loads OF brushwood, bound in faggots, came
from until 1 saw the trimmings of these
trees. This small light brushwood, which
would be considered worthless with Us,
Is valuable here in maxim g the quick cook-
ing fires which they use. In some parts OF
this country the land, though rich, is low
and wet, and has to De drained by deep
open bitches. But a heavy row OF null
berry trees are always seen on each side.
Mulberry leaves, as all know, are the food
of the industrious, though not very grscs-
full insect, that furnishes our aristocratic
ladies with their elegant silk and satin
dresses. Northern Italy has long been
celebrated for its immense production of
raw silk. / have seen statement OF the
amount exported last year which was
very large. Vast quantities OF it are bought
in Turin, Milan, snd other place, and sold
to French manufacturers and merchants
while it is In the cocoon state. There are
some curious facts respecting silk growing.
/ was informed, while in Turin by very
intelligent gentlem ID, that lsrge portion
of the proitaDly productive silk makers,
(worms) were generated from eggs brought
from China and Japan, and that in Turin
several large firms were engaged ex
clusIvely In this business. You will, no
doubt, recollect the valuable cargo which
came through Indianapolis last spring, on
its way to this
SILK GROWING COUNTRY,
Who ever thought OF how many thou
sand yards of silk lay undeveloped in that
car load of precious merchandise. 1t ap
pears that the eggs imported from Asia
produce the most vigorous, hearty and
profitable worms. The ha;cning, feeding
ana taking care of this curious insect re-
quire both care aud experience. Many
Of the farmers use their own leaves, while
others sell them 10 silk growers. The
better the dainty gentleman Is fed and
protected, the larger and more elegant
viii be the cocoon he will spin In which
TO eaclose his precious body, but which,
contrary TO his design, will form the ele-
CANT adornment OF some fair lady. In
crossing the plains of Lombardy saw the
bridge of Lodi, where Napoleon, impelled
as by sudden inspiration, seized the
colors from his wavering troops, and