4 



FLORA AND SYLVA, 



the old ones, so that when the wind blows the whole plant may sway gently 

 backwards and forwards in one mass, instead of its swirling round and round 

 in suicidal gyrations. 



The Arundinarias take better care of themselves, and need little or no 

 attention, but the Phyllostaches bruise themselves cruelly, and, unless they are 

 most carefully nursed and supported, the whole growth of a year is apt to be 

 lost, to the grievous disappointment of the cultivator. He thinks that his plants 

 are well sheltered, but, be they never so well masked, an envious wind will 

 drive its gusts curling round the corner with havoc and despair in its train. 



He who would grow Bamboos and show them successfully must have a care 

 for four things : — 



1. Background to show off their many graces ; and for this purpose I 



know nothing better than a clump of Hollies. 



2. Shelter from wind, and in this I include the precautions indicated 



above while the young canes are yet in statu pupillari. Frost may 

 be laughed at ; but the insidious attacks of wind are deadly. 



3. Manure. This can hardly be given in too large doses. Your Bam- 



boo is a hungry feeder, and if he is to grow fat and well-liking 

 his commons must be of the best. It is wise to give plenty of 

 manure in late autumn : in that way root-growth is promoted 

 and protected. A good mulching of leaves is wholesome, to keep 

 the moisture in, and the frost out. 



4. In the summer, if rain be absent, artificial watering is essential so long 



as growth is going on. 



These are the cardinal points to be observed in cultivation. 



Two questions are, very naturally, constantly asked : (1) Which are the best 

 Bamboos for cultivation in England ? (2) To what size do you expect your 

 Bamboos to grow? 



The first of these questions is easily answered. In the first place, I should 

 say, for very small gardens no Bamboo is really suitable. If they are to thrive 

 they must not be cramped for space ; the healthier they are the more will they 

 invade the adjoining territory, ruthlessly removing their neighbour's landmark. 

 I have seen Bamhusa pygmcea recommended in nursery gardeners' catalogues 

 as edging for beds. All I can say is, Heaven help its bedfellows ! 



For fair-sized gardens such plants as A. nitida, P. Boryana^ P. nigra^ P. 

 Iieno?iis, and A. auricoma are real treasures. A. japonica or Metak'e, A. Simoni, 

 P. viridiglaucescens •, and P. violescens are only suited to large, wild gardens. In 

 the formal garden they are quite out of place. Their rampant nature demands 

 full liberty. Bounds are odious to them. It is miserable work to see oneself 

 forced to curtail a plant just when it is beginning to show itself at its best. A. 

 Veitchii I have been obliged to eliminate even from the wild garden, and am 



