SCOTTISH GAEDENS 



shale. No material could be finer for the purpose, 

 but it makes one's back ache to think of the amount 

 of weeding that will be required; for none but 

 those who have put it to the test may realise, not 

 only the incessant diligence which must be exercised 

 to extirpate such vulgar things as pearl-weed, 

 Marcantia, sow-thistles, etc., but also the vigilance 

 to prevent Aubrietia and Arenaria smothering such 

 delicate growths as Androsace and Dianthus. 



I have said that there are not many rare or 

 out-of-the-common plants cultivated at South Ban- 

 taskine ; one shrub, however, deserves notice as 

 evidence of the climatic capabilities even of this 

 district, which is about the coldest of any at similar 

 eleva.tion in the Scottish Lowlands. Rhododendron 

 Thomsoni, one of the most brilliant of a class usually 

 reputed too tender to endure northern winters, has 

 attained a height of eight feet, with a goodly cir- 

 cumference, and looks as if it only required a liberal 

 application of stimulating diet to flower profusely. 



90 



