24 THE BAMBOO GARDEN CHAP. 
the plants will be in full spring beauty. Early in May 
begin to harden off the plants as you would geraniums for 
bedding out, and at the end of the month, or in the first days 
of June, place them in their permanent homes. 
When you take the plants out of the pots be careful not 
to disturb the roots in any way. You must not attempt to 
comb them out as you would the roots of trees, for they are 
as brittle as glass; place them in the earth as they are, be 
they never so pot-bound, and they will soon find their way 
about. If possible, the newly-planted Bamboos should be 
well watered during growth. It must be remembered that 
Bamboos will not show their true characteristics for two or 
three years, or even more in the case of Phyllostachys mitis ; 
but by taking the above precautions many disappointments 
will be avoided. I have no hesitation in saying that certain 
plants which I treated in this manner on their arrival last 
November, and planted out last June, are now, in their 
first year, quite equal to others of the same species which 
have been wrestling with misfortune for four years. 
Take heed to prepare a good and comfortable bed for 
your Bamboos. The earth should be double dug, and if it be 
done before the winter sets in, so much the better; for the 
frost will break up the clods and make the soil light and 
friable so that the rhizomes may travel, as it is their nature 
to do, without let or hindrance. This is a great matter. 
Another caution to be given is as to the manner of planting. 
In treading in the plants, care must be taken not to let the 
foot strike against the earth which has come out of the pots 
with the Bamboos. Tread round it, but not on it. Indeed, 
the less treading there is the better, for you never know 
