CHAPTER VII 



I HAVE always been too fond of moving shrubs 

 and trees, and one gardener proved beyond 

 all doubt that Clethra arborea had been all round 

 the premises and back again to the spot from 

 which it started. And during a consultation with 

 him as to the wisdom of starting another semi- 

 invalid on its rounds in search of health, he 

 remarked : ' It will think there is something the 

 matter if it don't go a little way, mum !' I seemed 

 to hear their little chorus of ' Breakers ahead !' as 

 the spades were coming. However, all these 

 moves were promotion into better soil and situa- 

 tions, though the risk was great, and the change, 

 I doubt not, was often worse than useless. Clethra 

 arborea proved to be afflicted with red spider, and 

 is always a disgusting sight after flowering, but 

 recovers by the following spring, and produces 

 many clusters of its lily-of-the-valley-like flowers, 

 which smell so strongly of Tolu lozenges. Parallel 

 with the happy family on the trellis I planted a row 

 of twenty Cordylines, or Palm Lilies, commonly 

 49 4 



