8 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



istic of our people, is very much in evidence. In the cemetery at 

 Wimereux, where the soil consists entirely of blown sand, grass is 

 growing well, and a very effective display has been produced there 

 by the mauve flowers of Nepeta Mussini which, when in flower, makes 

 a beautiful contrast to the sandy surroundings. In this same place, 

 an avenue or alley-way of CotoneaMer frigida — with Sycamore to help 

 as a wind-screen — has been planted, and should form an interesting 

 feature, especially when covered in the autumn with its scarlet berries. 



Here, and in many other cemeteries, the common flag Iris is an 

 invaluable plant, and it appears to be as happy when growing in 

 blown sand as it is in a stiff loam. This happens to be one of the 

 plants appropriate for the graves of Indian soldiers, and wherever 

 possible we are planting on or around their graves Iris, Marigolds, 

 and Cypress, all plants which they regard as sacred and appropriate 

 for cemeteries. 



This leads me to mention that we are attempting to plant, in 

 cemeteries where men from our Overseas Dominions lie buried, trees, 

 shrubs or other plants characteristic of the countries whence they 

 came to the defence of the Empire. In memory of the Canadians 

 we have raised Maples, native both to the east and the west coasts of 

 Canada, from seed specially sent to Kew from Canada. For the 

 Australian graves, a large number of seedling Tasmanian Eucalyptus 

 trees * (E. Gunnii and E. whiltingehamensis) have been sent to 

 France from Kew, which we hope may prove hardy in Northern 

 France ; while, for the graves of those who came from the Dominion 

 of New Zealand, a quantity of cuttings of the Daisy Bush (Olearia) 

 and Veronica Traversii have been struck at Kew, and have been 

 sent to one of our nurseries in France for transplantation in due 

 course to particular cemeteries. 



I may mention that, like the French, we are using such perennial 

 plants a> the old-fashioned double white Pinks, London Pride, mossy 

 Saxifrages, Cerastium, and Thrift for borderings to our graves and 

 trenches, while Pnlyantha Roses, Lavender, Rosemary, Iris, perennial 

 Iberis, small heaths &c. are planted where possible at the foot of 

 each cross. 



To mark with characteristic plants the graves of all the repre- 

 sentatives of our Empire is, however, in these northern climes 

 unfortunately impossible. South Africa, except by annuals, can 

 have no permanent commemorative plant ; nor, alas ! can we show 

 our respect, by any floral emblem, to our West Indian, West African, 

 Malayan and other Colonial soldiers who have fought and died in France. 



For them, as for all, the grateful memory of their sacrifice in a 

 great cause will ever remain enshrined in our hearts : 



'* Their bodies are buried in peace 

 But their name liveth for evermore." 



* The seeds were very kindly sent to Kew by Miss Balfour from Whittinge- 

 hame and by Mrs. Bateman of Brightlingsea, near Colchester. 



