MY SHRUBS | ’ 
during the summer. Leucodendron never goes indoors again here, 
however. He is in the ground for good or ill—and has a “ lew” 
spot between a wall and a buttress, protected from everywhere but 
the sky, and facing south. I could winter there myself; but will 
the Cape silver tree? I doubt it. My purpose is to cover up his 
little trunk and lower limbs, and arrange a piece of glass over his 
head to keep the rain and frost out of his foliage crowns ; but I 
shall not swathe him, though if anything arctic happens I shall 
envelop him for the time being against it. If necessary, my own 
greatcoat shall cover him. 
The real places for our best treasures lie in glades and dingles 
amid thick woods and conifers at the mouths of rivers. There 
Embothrium flourishes and Guevina avellana towers to a tree. 
The largest plant in England of this latter glorious Chilian dwells 
within twelve miles of my home—a privilege that can only be 
realised by a good gardener. 
One word of caution must be uttered. While money and 
energy will advance most worldly concerns, these are minor 
considerations in the matter of a shrub. Money and energy may 
start a fine piece under perfect conditions, but they will not hasten 
its growth. Shrubs, in fact, are no good to an old man in a hurry. 
If you are over sixty years of age, stick to the herbaceous border, 
orchids and fruit; indeed, forty-five is none too early to begin 
growing shrubs. But you will find the pursuit worth while, for, 
though they offer no intellectual excitement, they furnish quite 
an intelligent pastime, and may serve to gladden the leisure of a 
busy man, or even keep an idle one out of mischief—provided the 
worthless individual can be grafted with proper ardour for the 
craft. 
