Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/133

 ture. At the time of my visit, however, the greater part of the ground was under crops,—the second of the year, as I was given to understand. After this second crop was harvested, the ground would again be carefully tilled, and planted with crops requiring much manual attention.

During the winter many people, advised to do so by their physicians, took up their residence under this gigantic roof. Houses were, of course, unnecessary; but light tents were set up for the sake of the desired privacy. Here, in an equable temperature, never allowed to rise above seventy degrees Fahrenheit, they pursued, for the most part, their usual occupations. and amused themselves with gardening. Long experience had enabled them so to adjust the proportions of plant-life and animal-life under the vast enclosure, that the atmosphere within always remained pure and health-giving.

Being here within easy reach of their friends, the Winter Garden being also frequently made the scene of outdoor festivities not permitted elsewhere by the season, the inmates enjoyed all the benefit of a residence in a mild climate without the separation from loved persons and associations that often more than neutralizes the benefit of climate.

I may mention, in this connection, that the winter climate of the North-Atlantic region had, from various causes, become greatly ameliorated from its present severity. The winter climate of Nuiore had thus come greatly to resemble that of Northern Italy. The orange, the fig, the pomegranate, and the citron were as much at home on the banks of the Hudson as are now the peach and the vine. Many species of bamboo, and other useful