Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-04-14

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The climate st Mexico il tropical and
ita soil richin flowers. trees and shrubs.
as ID that Of Asia. and it's no wonder
that its natives learned long ago how 20
take pleasure ID It's natural beauties. Re-
mains Of gardens which must have been
laid out long before Mexico was
conquered by tie Spaniards, still exist
there, showing that the half-civilized
races which dwelt in the southern part
Of our continent knew the art Of decorate
Ing nature, and converting their wilds
into delightful resorts.
The first floating gardens consisted of
masses Of earth which became loosened
from the main land, and were held to-
gether by the roots which lay imbedded
IN them Then the Axtecs. seeing that
Il was possible 70 have floating gardens,
made RATS Of reeds aud rushes, closely
fastened together. and upon these deep
layer 81 rich earth was put. Thus NOV
ing islands were formed, sometimes
several hundred feet long and three or
four feet deep, and launched out upon
the water
It was upon these floating islands that
the Aztecs grew the fruits, flowers and
vegetables which they sold in the mark
cts Of the towns along the shore. They
would push their gardens right up to the
borders of the town, and SO hoat from
one town to another. These strange gar.
dens had their origin ia the necessities
of the people of certain locality, who.
being shut in by their enemies, were
forced to resort to some means to avoid
famine. Finding themselves on the bor-
ders Of lake, they set to work to make
boating islands: and on these they
planted corn and other vegetables. They
then. By means Of long poles, moved the
floating gardens from one shore to
another, and thus supplied the hungry
people, In this way the Mexicans were
saved from conquest; and so successful
was the plan Of making the floating gar
dens that they became common, and in
stead OF being used solely to raise food,
they were planted with trees. and with
lowers Of the most brilliant colors and
delicious perfume,
These floating islands may still be seen
il parts Of Mexico. Prescott, the his
torian, speaks Of them as moving like
some enchanted isle over the water. =
Many Of the peasants, living in hum
bic huts of brick or reeds, along the
shores OF Lake Tezcuco, have these ISL
ands as their only farms, whereon they
raise and sell the vegetables grown in
Mexico. which need but little cultiva-
ton and care Up to within q hundred
years beautiful floating gardens were
still to be seen on this and other Next
can lakes. sometimes quaint little edi-
fees peeped from among their luxuriant
shrubs and hower-beds; sometimes the
pretty paths were overhung with rich
clusters Of tropical fruits. Such were
the gardens of the wealthy mobiles of that
time, who took holiday trips on their
Hoating gardens, and might move
smoothly over the waters, the verdant
raft propelled by servants with long,
slender poles; and thus travel. ieposing
amid dower-beds and under deep and
luxuriant shadows.
There il q large Mexican city, sur
rounded BY lake, the streets OF which
are a series Of canals. as arc those Of
Venice. Instead Of driving carts and
carriages TO and fro, the people reach the
houses bv water. Here the floating gar
dens might once have been seen, moving
TO and fro, BEARING their still growing
burden Of fruit, corn and flowers: and II
was upon these gardens that the young
mobiles used to cali for their lady-loves
and instead Of drive into the country,
give them 4 ride on the lake. amid the
bowers and foliage Of their romantic con-
veyances The scene, on q soft. moon
1T night, IS these gardens passed here
ana there, among the high reeds and
rushea, or glided across the open. spark
ling waters. must have been . very pic