86o 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



comprising (i) the tall and (2) the dwarf species. The former 

 do best when planted out in beds of rich turfy loam, with good 

 drainage, and succeed very well if partially shaded by other 

 large plants. The dwarf group may be successfully grown in 

 pots, and ought to be more largely cultivated for the trade. 

 During their growing period they require moisture in abundance, 

 and in the spring a repotting or top-dressing of fresh soil is 

 advisable. In the case of well-established plants the soil, could 

 be mixed with well rotted cow-manure, which is very beneficial 

 to them. When growth is first noticeable among established 

 plants in the early spring they will have to undergo a thinning 

 process, removing the oldest growths, and thus making room for 

 the new ones, which always push up at such a time. Water must 

 also be applied with care during the winter months — just enough 

 should be given to prevent the soil from becoming dry. 



Propagation is readily effected by division of the roots, in 

 the early part of the spring just when the plants are com- 

 mencing to grow. The divisions should be inserted in small 

 pots in a light sandy soil and kept in a warm pit until 

 growth is noticeable. Potting must be repeated until the plants 

 are large enough for sale as dwarf species or to plant out 

 for large sized ones. 



In addition to our well known Bamboos, there are several 

 other closely allied genera possessing the same properties, viz., 



Arundinaria, Arundo, Dendro- 

 calamus, and Phyllostachys. 



Arundinaria. — This genus, 

 which was formerly classified 

 under Bambusa, is represented 

 in cultivation by about ten 

 distinct species which are nearly 

 hardy, and several of them are 

 Himalayan. They are very valuable 

 for sub-tropical gardening, and when 

 isolated they form some splendid 

 tufts. They may be grown rapidly 

 "under greenhouse treatment, and 

 must be kept rather on the dry 

 side throughout the winter. A. 

 falcata (Bambusa gracilis) is a very 

 decorative plant (Fig. 574) and use- 

 ful for the conservatory ; it produces 

 a very slender and branching stem 

 with very light green leaves; it varies in height from 3ft. 

 to 6ft., and requires a rich soil as well as an abundance of 

 moisture. A. Fortunei (Bambusa Fortunei) and its varieties, 

 variegata and argentea vittata, are pretty plants, about 2 ft. in 



Fig. 574. — Arundinaria 

 falcata. 



