76 THE BOOK OF SHRUBS 
They were in no way mistaken as to their hardiness, 
but they failed to recognise the fact that while the 
health of the bamboos is not impaired by exposure to 
severe frosts, the foliage is much disfigured during 
the winter months when the plants occupy positions 
exposed to easterly winds. When the plants have 
their leaves browned by exposure to cold winds, 
they present an unattractive appearance until the new 
growths are produced in the course of the summer. 
This being so, shelter is an important factor in the 
cultivation of bamboos, and when cultivators become 
fully acquainted with this fact a great improvement will 
be effected, with the result that they will contribute 
more liberally to the attractions of the garden than has 
yet been the case. To emphasize the importance of 
shelter from easterly winds, it may be well to state that 
except in the western counties they are quite unfitted 
for planting in exposed positions. Nothing could indeed 
be done more likely to bring them into disrepute than 
to plant them in open wind-swept positions where 
they will be immediately under the eye of visitors 
to the gardens in which such positions are assigned 
them. 
The proper course in the cultivation of bamboos is to 
select a sheltered and somewhat secluded position, and 
within it so arrange the species and varieties selected as 
to form a distinct feature. There is no occasion to 
attempt the formation of a bamboo garden, although 
there is no objection to this being done if space will 
permit, as a few of the more distinct forms judiciously 
grouped on the lawn will produce a delightful effect. 
‘They should be planted from four to six feet apart and 
judicious grouping consists in so arranging the several 
forms that those of low stature will not be overgrown 
or hidden from view by those attaining a much greater 
height. If the position is contiguous to a pond or 
