THE BAMBOO, 
251 
stands drought well, as its roots go down'deeper for their nourishment. 
It makes a quite distinct and very fine specimen. So far as I have 
seen it is one of the latest to start into fresh active growth, but it 
is one of the best and brightest during the winter season. With us 
it attains to a height of 13 feet. I|should add that its specific name 
is somewhat misleading, for there are but few traces of yellow in it. 
Phyllostachys Castillonis. — This is still, I think, a rather scarce 
plant, which may arise perhaps through its not being one of the best 
to establish. When, however, it is once settled down it will grow and 
thrive well. No other Bamboo has such a distinctive character as 
P. Castillonis. In this instance the rich golden yellow is most pro- 
nounced. Of this bamboo the late Lord Redesdale says in "The 
Bamboo Garden " : — " The double groove is bright green, the rest 
of its circumference being yellow, and this colouring is not on the 
surface only but goes right through the wood to the cavity. Owing 
to their position the two colours are alternate all the way up the culm, 
the hues being intensified with age." Its leaves are beautifully 
variegated also, at first of a decided yellow ; this with age fades to a 
creamy white. Compared with P. aurea it is rather more spreading 
in habit. Its height with us is 14 feet, and it is still increasing. 
Phyllostachys flexuosa. — This species comes, I consider, nearer to 
P. viridi-glaucescens than to any other,, though its stems are some- 
what like P. nigra. It is a plant of moderate size and of a very 
graceful habit. It is not so strong in growth as either of the species 
just named. In every respect it is most graceful and one that will not 
quickly outgrow its allotted space. As to its hardiness there is no 
question whatever, as it was introduced from the colder regions of 
China in 1864. Its height with us is 6 feet. 
Phyllostachys nigra. — Of this species we had a magnificent specimen, 
but unfortunately it succumbed after flowering during that period of 
what I might term the flowering epidemic, about ten years back. 
(We, at the same time, lost P. Boryana, P. mitis, and P. Henonis, and 
all our plants of Arundinaria Simoni.) Now we have a few examples, 
but not nearly so large as the lost one. It is one of the hardiest of 
all in my opinion. The habit is extremely graceful, the older 
growths, from their dense profusion of foliage, weight themselves 
down until they touch the ground. Its dark stems and plumes of 
bright green foliage render it a most attractive plant. Lord 
Redesdale, in " The Bamboo Garden," states that this species is 
recommended for planting as a source of supply for umbrella sticks, 
sword-canes, whip-handles, fishing-rods, and various other purposes. 
This had reference to what was being accomplished in the south of 
France. It is largely grown in the south of France. We have not 
now a large specimen, hence its height of 6 feet is in a way misleading 
as to its actual merits. 
Phyllostachys Quilioi. — This species, when it is well established, 
makes a very fine specimen. It is nearer, in my opinion, to P. viridi- 
glaucescens than to any other, but is not of such a spreading habit as 
