PHYLLOSTACHYS VIOLESCENS 
THERE are some authorities who regard this as a variety of 
PHYLLOSTACHYS VIRIDI-GLAUCESCENS, but inasmuch as the 
flower and fruit of neither has come under observation, and 
there are certainly marked differences in the appearance 
and hardihood of the two, their opinion must be considered 
as a mere surmise, unsupported by evidence. The one point 
of similarity which I can detect in both is the frequent 
occurrence at each node of the third branchlet, which in 
most species is generally abortive or absent. 
If this beautiful Bamboo added hardihood to its other 
merits it would indeed be a garden treasure. Unfortunately 
the last two winters have handled it very roughly, the foliage 
being stripped and often the culms themselves being cut 
back. I fear it is but a fair-weather friend. Still the 
rhizomes have been uninjured in spite of the mischief, and 
their great activity has been shown by new culms shooting 
up all round the plants and often a yard or more away 
from them. Some cultivators recommend cutting back the 
canes every year. I should prefer trusting to time for the 
acclimatisation of the species. Already I cannot help 
fancying that I see signs of a hardier generation of culms 
than those which were first produced, and I do not despair 
