22 8 TREES AND SHRUBS 



(Fahr.). Yet in this particular spot (known as the 

 Duchess' garden) there were fine specimens of 

 Himalayan Rhododendrons — one of R. Falconeri 

 being especially noteworthy for the way it grew and 

 flowered — an Azara microphylla, i6 feet high, and 

 other similar examples. The explanation of these 

 successes, I believe, is entirely in the situation and 

 exposure of the garden. It was formed on the slope 

 of a rather steep hill, and is in the shape of an 

 amphitheatre opening freely to the south. The bitter 

 ' north-easter ' loses much of its sting before it 

 reaches the plants in this garden. In most gardens 

 it is, of course, impossible to obtain sites so favour- 

 able as this. One has to make the best of what 

 exists. But at the same time it shows the desira- 

 bility, often the necessity, of choosing positions for the 

 tenderer evergreens in which this need of shelter 

 is satisfactorily met. Bamboos, Camellias, many 

 Rhododendrons, Elaeagnus, all afford striking ex- 

 amples of the value of a shelter belt on the north 

 and east sides." A cool, moist soil is generally 

 necessary for evergreen shrubs, and we know this to 

 be true from the distress shown by many kinds 

 during a dry and parching summer. 



The Time to Transplant. — A question frequently 

 asked is, "When is the time to plant or transplant 

 evergreens ? " To this the reply is, early autumn. 

 When planting is impossible at that season, then 

 postpone it until late spring, avoiding winter and 

 February and March. An evergreen should be 

 disturbed whilst the roots are active, and by doing 



