20 THE BAMBOO GARDEN CHAP. 
is a great object. It often happens, especially in the case 
of the more flexible Bamboos (such as Phyllostachys Henonis, 
or viridi-glaucescens, for instance), that the culms, which in 
a young state are extremely slender and delicate, just at 
the moment when they have grown to a level with the 
older stems are flogged by the latter under a gale of wind 
so that their tops are destroyed, and in this way the year’s 
gain in height is lost. The plants, it is true, do not suffer 
in health, but it is a great disappointment not to see the 
new culms like spears overtopping the arched plumes 
of the previous year. This mischief was very observable 
here during the late summer of 1895. After the ex- 
ceptionally hard winter and the drought of early summer, 
the new culms of Phyllostachys Henonis did not start 
into growth until late in July. In one clump, too much 
exposed to the south-westerly gales which raged with 
sreat violence some five or six weeks later, all the tender 
points were beaten back and the plants are no higher than 
they were last year. This is a danger to guard against. 
Therefore again I say, shelter is a great object. 
A rich, warm spot with partial shade and a good screen 
on the north and east, especially under the influence of sea 
air, is the true home of the Bamboo. Sea mists bring 
moisture to the leaves and are Nature’s syringe. Nothing 
revives the plants more thoroughly, or more effectually 
brings out the brilliancy which is one of their characteristics. 
The worst living enemies of the plants, especially of the 
dwarf species, appear to be the rats and voles, which 
will burrow under the wire netting and gnaw through 
the stems in order to carry away the leaves for linings 
