HARDY BAMBOOS 223 



plies of water can be given in dry weather with little 

 trouble. 



" Altogether some forty-one species and varieties of 

 Bamboos are cultivated. These are composed of 

 seventeen Arundinarias y nine Bambusas, and fifteen 

 Phyllostachys. The majority belong to China and 

 Japan, one, however, belonging to North America, 

 and one to India. The Indian species, Arundinaria 

 (Thamnocalamus) Falconeri, which does so well in the 

 south-west counties and in Ireland, is the most 

 difficult to manage, and is killed to the ground every 

 winter, while A. falcata and A. noliHs, which are two 

 of the most common species in the famous Cornish 

 gardens, refuse to thrive. 



" The arrangement of the plants has undergone con- 

 siderable modification since the first planting, owing 

 to natural development and the introduction of more 

 species. This has resulted in the removal of many 

 duplicates which have been used with large Rhodo- 

 dendrons as an undergrowth to the wood adjoining 

 the entrances, thus considerably enhancing the 

 beauty of the place. 



"The period of the year at which the garden is at 

 its best extends from the early weeks of July until 

 the cold east winds in February and March, for, 

 although severe frost has little effect on the leaves of 

 many, cold winds from east or north quickly turn 

 them brown. That Bamboos should continue in 

 good condition and practically be at their best 

 through the worst of the winter months is a strong 

 recommendation in their favour, and by leaving, as is 

 done at Kew, the tall dead stems and leaves of Mis- 



