Treatment of American Shrubs at Foxcote. 425 



Art. XIII. On the Treatment of the American Shrubs in the Plea- 

 sure- Gardens of Francis Canning, Esq., Foxcote. By Mr. W. 

 B. Rose, Gardener there. 



Sir, 



I am induced to send you an account of my mode of treat- 

 ing American shrubs, from seeing in your Magazine (Vol. V. 

 p. 143.) an abridged communication from Mr. Donald on 

 the same subject, and also from the bad appearance which 

 these plants generally present. At the north-west corner of 

 the noble mansion at this place my American plants may be 

 seen in full flower, with corollas more than 1 1 in. in circum- 

 ference. They grow in sand mixed with lime and bog earth ; 

 the sand was washed down through the plantations from the 

 sandy hills above, carrying the dead leaves with it into the 

 fish-ponds. After several years it was taken out and mixed 

 with lime, for agricultural use. I took some of this, and 

 added a little bog earth to it, and I placed the plants in it. 

 They are considerably shaded by the mansion, and some large 

 elm trees, &c. I peg down all the bottom branches, cover 

 them with soil, leaving only the ends above the surface of the 

 ground. In this manner they bloom beautifully, and, the 

 other parts of the plants running upwards and coming into 

 flower, the whole has the appearance of one thicket of blos- 

 som, and is the admiration of every one. 



I this year planted a quantity of American shrubs in a heap 

 of mud, in a sunny situation, by the side of a large fish-pond : 

 they are in a thriving condition at present, but how they will 

 be some time hence I cannot determine. 



With respect to my other bed of plants, being in a cold 

 situation, I always cover them in November with a shelter of 

 common laurel boughs. I let this covering remain till May- 

 day, after which the plants present a most beautiful appear- 

 ance. 



I am surprised that the common laurel is not more culti- 

 vated than it is, as it will grow under the dripping of trees, 

 where many other plants will not thrive, and it moreover 

 affords an excellent shelter for game, besides other purposes 

 to which it may be applied. 



I am. Sir, &c. 



W. B. Rose. 

 Foxcote, near Shipston on Stow, 

 June 10. 1829. 



