SEPTEMBEE, 1900, TO DECEMBER, 1903. 245 



hardiest of the large-sized kinds in Japan and thrives in England, proving hardier 

 than Moso, No. 9045. It never attains the same dimensions as this species, but often, 

 however, grows to a height of 30 to 40 feet, and culms having a diameter of 2J to 3 

 inches are not unusual. Even 4-inch culms are described by the books. The size 

 of these culms depends largely upon the method of culture and how carefully the 

 forests are thinned out and manured. About 300 plants should be set to an acre, in 

 such a way that their spreading rhizomes will not interfere with each other at the 

 start. The soil should be worked over to a depth of 18 inches several months before 

 planting, and if of a heavy clay, should be lightened by working in straw and litter 

 from the barnyard. After planting, the ground should be heavily mulched to prevent 

 the top soil from drying out, and every means should be taken to insure that the 

 •ground is soon shaded by the growing shoots. The soil about the bases of the culms 

 should be kept in semiobscurity. This object is only obtained by moderately thick 

 planting and judicious thinning. Small clumps are not so likely to produce large 

 stems as quickly as large patches, for the reason that the soil is more exposed to 

 the drying effect of the sun. Only rich, alluvial, well-drained soil is likely to prove 

 suitable for a bamboo forest of this species. The thickness of the pipes of this sort 

 of bamboo is greater than that of any of the other common kinds, and this charac- 

 teristic makes the culms more rigid and more serviceable for many purposes. It is 

 of great importance that a young forest of bamboos be protected from the wind, for 

 the young, tender shoots are easily injured. Wind-breaks of conifers are used in 

 Japan even where the winds are anything but severe. A sheltered valley, or the 

 base of a mountain slope, is sometimes chosen as offering such a sheltered situation. 

 In setting young plants out great care should be taken not to injure the buds on the 

 rhizomes or to break off the fibrous roots by packing down the soil too roughly about 

 them. This species is likely to prove the most valuable of any of the Japanese hardy 

 bamboos. ' ' (Fairchild. ) 



9047. Phyllostachys henonis. Bamboo. 



From Yokohama, Japan. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild 

 (No. 989, July 29, 1902), November, 1902. 



Hachiku. ' ' The second most important timber bamboo of Japan. Its method of 

 culture is exactly similar to that of the Madake, No. 9046, and often it is cultivated 

 side by side with this species. The brittleness of its joints, I am told, prevents its 

 being used for many purposes, such as barrel hoops, for which the Madake is better 

 adapted. On the other hand, the fine bamboo ribs of Japanese paper lanterns are 

 generally made from this species. The height of this species is little inferior to that 

 of the Madake, but it may be easily distinguished from it by the absence of dark 

 spots on the sheath in young shoots. The sheaths are a solid light-straw color. The 

 pseudophyll has a wavy outline. As an ornamental, this species is singled out by 

 Mitford as the most beautiful of all the Japanese bamboos. In hardiness in Japan 

 it ranks about the same as Phyllostachys quilloi. Mitford says it is one of the hardiest 

 species in England, retaining its green color through the winter, the leaves not being 

 injured by the cold. It should be given good soil and protection for the first few 

 winters, or until thoroughly established." (Fairchild.) 



9048. Phyllostachys marliacea. Bamboo. 



From Yokohama, Japan. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild 

 (No. 990, August, 1902), November, 1902. 



Shibo-chiku or Shiwa-chiku. ' ' Plants of the wrinkled bamboo, perfectly hardy in 

 England, characterized by having the base of the culm fluted or covered with longi- 

 tudinal grooves and ridges. The stems of this species are especially prized for use in 

 the woodwork of the special tea-ceremony rooms of old Japanese houses. An uncom- 

 mon form in England and very decorative. Hard to get in quantity, even in Japan. 

 It should be given the same treatment as that given to Phyllostachys qyMoi" (Fair- 

 child. ) 



9049. Bambusa quadrangularis. Bamboo. 



From Yokohama, Japan. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild 

 (No. 991, August, 1902), November, 1902. 



Shiho-chiku or Shikaku-dake. "Plants of the square bamboo. This is not consid- 

 ered as hardy as the previously mentioned species, Phyllostachys quilioi, and it will be 

 advisable to give it especial care upon arrival. The plants should be potted and kept 



