S July, 1908.] 



Garden Notes. 



421 



Soil — Situation — Culture. 

 The most suitable soil is a light loam that contains a fair amount of 

 humus. Heavy soils may be brought to the right condition by the addition 

 of manure containing plenty of straw or other material tending to produce 

 porosity, while sandy soils will benefit by the addition of strong loam or 

 clay; or cow manure. Though bamboos are naturally denizens of low 

 and shaded situations, they will not thrive if the soil is water-logged and 

 sour. A fairly drained soil is found in gardening practice to be an 

 absolute necessity for their successful cultivation. 



WiY XniNARlA FALCATA. 

 bVN. BAMBUSA GRACILIS. 



A suitable situation is of greater importance than soil. Bamboos 

 must have protection from fierce winds to do well. A situation sheltered 

 from north winds in summer is most suitable. In the Melbourne Botanic 

 Gardens they are grown in all aspects, a feat that is easily accomplished 

 there on account of the shelter provided by the splendidly designed groups 

 of large trees that have been planted to provide such shelter for tender 

 plants in addition, to scenic effect. In small gardens the shelter of a 

 fence, hedge or tree, or house, v\ill supply the conditions suitable. Bamboos 

 are often planted in mixed groups of plants and in such situations are fairly 

 effective, but to display them to advantage, they .should be grown if 

 possible in rather isolated positions where there is room to develop their 

 growth and elegant characteristics without hindrance. Many kinds are 

 specially suitable for planting as specimens on lawns, Bamhiisa gracilis 

 being one of the best for the purpose. 



