Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1925-05-22
prepared by the National Geographic So
ciety. washington. p. CO.

ciety. washington. D. CD
~ ARDINIA, near which British
naval maneuvers have been in
~ progress, is somewhat out of the
beaten path of Mediterranean
travel. 1t is one of the few foreign
fields that has not been overrun and
overfed by the tourist, and in many OF
the villages a traveller is still regarded
as a guest and not as prey to be
pounced upon.
Some day. when tourists are tired OF
taking the tours laid out for them by
the guide-books, perhaps they Will
break away from the continent and set
sail for8 Sardinia, especially If they
are NOT travelling just to enjoy hotel
comforts One can rent good auto
mobile at Cagliari, and week spent
touring around the island would prob
ably leave the pleasantest of recollec-
lions and an experience long to be re-
membered.
Sardinia can be reached by an eight
hours night voyage from Civitavec-
CHA, the port of Rome, to the north
end of the island. The crossing on the
mail steamer is quite comfortable, but
the knowledge that one must get up at
five the next morning is rather APP
palling. The beauty Of the sunrise
over the sheer cliffs and craggy iso-
lated rocks Of Golfo degli Aranci COM
pensates, however, for this lncon-
venience and for the cup of bitter
black coffee which comprises the
breakfast.
AS soon as one lands, refreshing
fragrance in the air is noticed-a per-
fume characteristic of Sardinla-not
due. certainly, to orange trees, as is
suggested by the name of the port,
there being none In this district. but
to the many wild herbs and shrubs
all over the island.
The first couple of hours journey
down the island is over rough. roll
ing country made up of granite and
resembling parts of Arizona or Mon
tana. This apparent waste land Is
used for pasturing goats, which feed
on the shrubs. Here. as over most of
the island, one finds the white flower
ing cystus, bright yellow ginestra,
rosemary, q mass of blue when In
blossom, and pink heather; also ar
butus with bright yellow and red ber-
ries, thyme, juniper and other shrubs.
Excepting the eucalyptus and pine
planted near the stations, there is
noticeable lack Of trees along the rail-
way routes. Among the mountains,
howovar nhioh ooc71nv fho oocforu
half of the island and occur to some
extent along the western coast, there
are important forests of oak, lex. cork
and wild olive; also areas reforested
with pine and chestnut trees. In the
mountainous areas of the island are
many fertile valleys.
Through tho Fruit Groves.
At Chilivani, one-third Of the way
down the island. Is the junction of
the road that goes west to Sassari, the
capt.. n of the northern province of
Sardinia. The city is situated In the
midst Of a well-cultiyated area, with
groves of olive, almond, orange, and
lemon trees and orchards of apples,
peaches, cherries. and other fruits.
The railway continues to the coast of
Alghero, an interesting old Spanish
port, at one time surrounded by high
fortified wall. 1t Is here that Admiral
Won Tirpitz owned large agricultural
farm and had villa, and where, at
the beginning Of the war. the Germans
were suspected of having base for
supplying submarines.
To the south, about half way down
the island, at Macomer, is another
branch road to Nuoro, distance Of 80
miles and the center of mountainous
district, the Barbargia, which was at
one time said to be the home of the IA
nous Sandman brigands. These are
practically extinct" now, although
Occasionally one hears of man who
has murdered a nelghbor or mem
Der of his family for some personal
wrong and. in order to escape the
carabinien. or national police, fees
TO the mountains and lives as best he
can, sometimes stealing lamb or
goat from a shepherd or stopping
lonely traveller to ask for food or a
few sodi. Unfortunately, the general
impression outside of Sardinia, even
In Italy, Is that the island is more or
less overrun by bandits; this Is not
true. and traveller on the island to-
day Is even safer than he would be in
southern Italy or Sicily.
Macomer is the center OF the region
where many fine horses are bred for
the army, as are also the small ponies
used In Naples. After passing this
town, the railroad descends TO Oris-
sauo. on the west coast. noted for Its
,ottery and particularly It's delicious