8 



JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



although it survived the first winter. Sagittaria japonica fl. pi. is, on 

 the other hand, quite hardy and flowers freely. Zizania aquatica (the 

 Canadian rice) grows to a large size from seed sown in the spring, 

 reaching 7 feet in height. This we use in preference to the rice of 

 Japan and the East — Oryza sa^wa— because of its better constitution. 

 We have one pool for a blue Nymphaea, N. pulcherrima, which has 

 succeeded fairly well, the water being partially warmed by the overflow of 

 water from the lily tanks in another locality. Of floating plants Myrio- 

 phyllum proscrpinaecoides is a most lovely plant when in free growth ; it 

 is also known by the name of the ' Parrot's Feather.' Eichornia crassipes 

 florihunda grows freely, but fails to flower in proportion for want of 

 more sun. Pontederia cordata succeeds very much better, being closely 

 related to it. Other Nyrnphaeas are used to a moderate extent to give 

 effect. A most satisfactory plant is Mimulus luteus, which floats upon 

 the water and flowers very freely. A few forget-me-nots, Myosotis 

 pahcstris, fill up round the margin in partially shaded places, anything 

 being preferable to a bare edging. 



Fences and Gates. — We adopted both gates and fences made of 

 bamboo rods, having noticed that these are almost always used in 

 Japanese designs. The fences were made of the black-stemmed Phyllo- 

 s tacky s nigra, and are about 4 feet 6 inches high. In order that the 

 fence might not be too conspicuous it was worked in amongst the sur- 

 rounding shrubs to some extent. The gates, as entrances, were fixed at 

 convenient spots, all being made upon the premises by our own men. 

 Both in fixing and in making, all that we used was wire and split cane to 

 cover the same afterwards. By means of the fences and gates we are 

 enabled to a great extent to keep out both rabbits and cats. 



Stepping-stones and Walks. — In arranging the walks we have 

 followed the Japanese as well as we could, using stones only. These 

 were obtained from the neighbourhood of Tunbridge Wells, being very 

 well suited for the purpose, not having a tendency to become slippery 

 because of their somewhat uneven surface. In size they varied con- 

 siderably, some being 4 feet or more in length and 2 feet 6 inches in 

 width ; others are smaller, and others even smaller still, but in no instance 

 is any regular shape to be found. They are laid simply as hewn from the 

 quarries, and are pn an average some 4 inches in thickness. These 

 stones are not in any way laid in a regular line or manner, nor are they 

 bedded upon a solid base, being simply laid upon the soil. Thus arranged 

 it is an easy matter to move a stone or two to the right or left if any 

 plant wants more room or when a fresh arrangement is aimed at alto- 

 gether. The stones are not laid to touch each other, a space of from 

 4 to 6 and sometimes 8 inches being allowed between them. These 

 interstices are filled in with plants of varied character, Euonymus radicans 

 variegatus and the mossy saxifrages being very suitable. Arenaria 

 balearica and similar plants also answer well, and so does the common 

 musk {Mimulus moschatus). In some cases at the sides of the stones we 

 have used Acorus gramineus variegatus to good purpose, in others the 

 funkias are near to the stones, whilst ferns also are to the fore. A very 

 prominent plant in Japanese gardens is Rliodea japonica and its variegated 

 form, which varies as much as Aspidistra lurida variegata. This latter is 



