204 POT-POURRI FROM A SURREY GARDEN 



many things again. I confess I like these sudden deaths 

 in Nature. When the time comes, it is better that things 

 should go, than linger on, as. they do in very mild autumns. 

 Never since I have lived here have the berries of the 

 Pyracanthus and Holly been so fine; the latter are 

 covered with berries. In old days they used to say it 

 meant a cold winter and a providential providing of food 

 for the birds. Now we say it means a fine spring and a 

 wet autumn, which is just what we have had this year ; 

 but a wet autumn may mean a cold winter. 



November 9th. — One or two hardy Bamboos should 

 be in aU gardens, because of their appearance just now, 

 apart from all other reasons. The 'EngUsh Flower 

 Garden' gives the best kinds, which must be selected 

 according to the size of the garden and the situation in 

 which they are to be placed. They by no means require 

 to be planted in wet places — in fact, I imagine it is that 

 which kills them in winter — but a few cans of water 

 daily in dry weather, at their quick-growing time of May 

 and June, helps them very much to throw off sooner that 

 shabby appearance in spring which is one of their draw- 

 backs. Another drawback is that they live such a short 

 time in water after they are picked. The Japanese have 

 many devices for preserving them ; the simplest of these 

 is burning then- ends in the fire before putting them into 

 water. This answers with many flowers. In a small 

 garden, Bamboos look much better for thinning out every 

 year ; and the long canes make very useful, tidy sticks for 

 pot-plants. At this time of year, when all else is dying 

 or dead, they are healthfully and luxuriantly green. I 

 have found by experience that, if Bamboos are really 

 injured by frost, it is best to cut them down entirely the 

 following spring. It requires some courage to cut out 

 the taU, well-grown canes ; but, once nipped by frost, they 

 do not recover, and they make better plants the following 

 year if cut right back. 



