236 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



growth begins. The renewal of growth is indicated by the unrolHng of 

 the young leaves, which may be in April or May.accordingto the winter. 

 Bamboos are very difficult to kill outright, but treated improperly they 

 are apt to get into a stunted condition, which it takes them along time 

 to recover from. I would advise those who wish to try these plants to 

 obtain them from the nurserymen in autumn or winter, if they have 

 been grown in pots, and to give them greenhouse treatment till the 

 end of May, when they can be planted out in a growing state ; but, 

 on the other hand, if they have been planted out in the nursery 

 ground, not to have them sent off till the end of April or later, when 

 they can be set out at once. A yearly clearing out of the older, worn- 

 out stems, dead leaves, &c., prevents that choked-up appearance one 



In Bamboo garden, Kew. 



trees so often in ill-tended Bamboos, and whilst giving a lighter and 

 more graceful aspect to the plants allows freer play to the young 

 growths. 



Such, briefly, has been the system of cultivation pursued at Kew, 

 and that it is the right one is shown by the luxuriant growth of almost 

 all the kinds — so luxuriant, indeed, as to be rather embarrassing in the 

 somewhat restricted space occupied by the collection. The Bamboo 

 garden was made in 1892, and the following are the lengths of a few of 

 this year's growths, exceeded, of course, by specimens in older collec- 

 tions and in warmer parts of the country, but of some interest, 

 perhaps, as showing the rate of growth of Bamboos in a district which 

 has not proved particularly favourable to the growth of tender shrubs 



