1 2 Subtropical Gardening. 



as to form great tufts from 16 ft. to 20 ft. high. 

 The result is that the scene reminds one of a 

 bit of the vegetation of the uplands of Java, 

 or that of the bamboo country in China. The 

 thermometer fell last December (1870) seventeen 

 degrees below freezing point, so that they suffered 

 somewhat, but their general effect was not much 

 marred. Accompanying these, and also on the 

 margins of the water, were huge masses of Pampas 

 grass yet in their beauty of bloom, and many 

 great tufts of the tropical-looking New Zealand 

 flax, with here and there a group of Yuccas. The 

 vegetation of the islands and of the margins of the 

 water was composed almost solely of these, and 

 the effect quite unlike anything usually seen in 

 the open air in this country. Nothing in such 

 arrangements as those at Battersea Park equals 

 it, because all the subjects were quite hardy, and 

 as much at home as if in their native wilds. Re- 

 member, in addition, that no trouble was required 

 after they were planted, and that the beauty of 

 the scene was very striking a few days before 

 Christmas, long after the ornaments of the ordinary 

 flower-garden had perished. The whole neigh- 

 bourhood of the island was quite tropical in aspect ; 

 and, as behind the silvery plumes of the Pampas 



