The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1924-02-29

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The island of st. Micnaels does not
overwhelm you with the grandeur OF
a Rocky mountain scene 1t captures
you subtly. Little by little impress
sions pile up In your memory until
your fancy fingers in the beautiful
gardens, whose walls are covered with
wisteria and climbing roses, in the
magnificent parks, and among the ex-
tensiye hedges of hydrangea that
bloom along the country roads.
By way of contrast, st. Michaels
will fret and frown amid fearful,
stormy seas. But you are compen-
stated when, on a sunny day. you stand
on the summit Of one OF the many
peaks and behold the tranquil scene
below you. Then you will see the is
land studded with towns and villages,
the verdant hills laid out in checkered
fields and cultivated to the very tops,
picturesque dome-like windmllls turn
ing their long wings, and the harbor
and surrounding ocean dotted with
sails that glisten in the bright sun
shine.
Ponta Delgada. the largest city in
the Azores, has 1900 inhabitants.
Fortunately. it has preserved some OF
its old features, the inheritance Of
the past centuries-just enough to
breathe ~ atmosphere Of quaintness
and TO make the place Sd delightfully."-
at tro ~ iyn that the innnhIn nf hiul, nnnc-
slve chimneys, the tall walls, and the
small balconies hat Overhang the
streets become a part Of ones life.
Modern buildings there are, such as
the imposing hospital, the quarantine
station, the governors palace, and
many private residences. But 1t is not
these one cares TO talk about in a place
that can boast interesting relics of the
past.
Fine Botanical Gardens.
Ponta Delgada still has a number OF
houses that have been handed down
through generations in accordance with
the law of the morgadoS. The NOR
gado was the oldest son, who inherited
the estate of his father and upon
whom devolved the duty Of providing
for the other members Of the family.
The architecture Of these houses Is
the same as that used in olden times
by the morgad0s Of northern Portugal.
Here they are built Of massive lava
rock. Many Of the gardens have high
stone towers that command a view Of
the sea and surrounding country.
Ponta Delgada has wonderful botan-
zeal gardens. They have been pro-
nounced by some as ranking next to
those in Portugal, and by others as
inferior only TO the famous gardens Of
Brazil. That Of Jose dc Canto was
begun in 1S4S. Senior Canto was con
nected with all the different nurseries
in the world, and it was his ambition
to gather specimens Of all the trees
and plants that could be obtained.
The result Is a marvellous collection.
The gardens contain tree ferns orig
inally from Australia, many species Of
palms (such as the date, sage, and
FAM, Australian myrtle, great varieties
of aloes, magnificent roses and camel
lias, India rubber trees. banyan trees,
acacias, magnolias, dracenas, brilliant
red-1ame trees, screw-pines, and fine
specimens Of the cedar Of Lebanon.
Formerly, oranges were the princi-
pal article Of export, and in 1872, 3OO.-
600 boxes were shipped abroad. repre-
senting a value Of about 100000.
From that time on the orange industry
declined, as a result Of tree blight.
st. Michaels is a little world in It.
self, and the Azoreans have a little
Of everything. They raise their own
wine and tea and have their wi min
eral water and thermal baths; they
have their own tobacco and manu-
facture their own cigars; they cult
vate large quantities Of sugar-beet and
manufacture their WI sugar. The
rich volcanic earth aod humid, but
healthful, climate lend themselves to
the cultivation Of great varieties Of
agricultural products, including vege-
tables and fruits Of the temperate and
tropical zones. T%wenty-one thousand
head Of cattle Craze In the hills and
help to form one Of the principal in
dustries Of the islands, the manufac-
ture Of cheese. The sea furnishes a
livelihood for a large number Of Its
inhabitants. and thousands of Holsters
are exported 10 the continent.