Introduction, etc. 41 



still more so, a thoroughly rich and light mass of 

 deep soil, with abundance of water ; without these 

 two last conditions it is hopeless to expect a free 

 rich growth, which is the great charm of these 

 plants. Ricinus, Cannas, Ferdinanda, and some 

 of the freer-growing kinds certainly succeed per- 

 fectly without any such arrangement as that above 

 described. The more delicate kinds, such as the 

 Solanums and Wigandia macrophylla, would be 

 those most likely to be benefited by it. It is 

 needless to say, that the numerous fine and hardy 

 subjects enumerated in Part II. do not require 

 anything of the kind, although they too will, as a 

 rule, be fine in proportion to the care bestowed in 

 securing for them a deep and rich body of soil. 



One most essential matter is the securing of as 

 perfect shelter as is possible. Warm, sunny, and 

 thoroughly sheltered dells should be chosen where 

 convenient ; and, in any case, positions which are 

 sheltered should be selected, as the leaves of all 

 the better kinds suffer very much from strong 

 winds, from which they will be protected if judi- 

 ciously planted near sheltering banks and trees. 

 Even in quite level districts it will be possible to 

 secure shelter, by planting trees of various kinds, 

 among which such graceful conifers as Thujopsis 



