194 VISIT TO NURSERY GARDENS. Chap. XII. 
ing shrubs and herbaceous plants were in full 
bloom. Amongst those which interested me most, 
because they were new to me, were a beautiful new 
oak with large and handsome leaves, several new 
maples with leaves beautifully marked with rich 
colours, new species of Weigela, clematis, lychnis, 
and a variety of Solomon’s seal having its leaves 
beautifully striped with broad white lines. 
The Dang-o-zaka gardens, which were next 
visited, were ransacked in the same way. Every 
corner was examined, and several new and im- 
portant plants were added to my collections which 
had not been seen by me during my former visits. 
I have already stated that the town of Dang-o- 
zaka is in a valley, and very pretty it seemed, with 
its clean houses sheltered and adorned by richly- 
wooded hills. It is a pretty place at all seasons, 
for there are so many pines and other trees that 
retain their leaves all the winter, that the woods 
may be said to be evergreen. Now, however, the 
leaves and flowers of deciduous trees were mixed 
up with those of the evergreen oaks and pines, and 
formed a pleasing contrast. 
As on former occasions, an account of all the 
plants I purchased and the sums to be paid for them 
was carefully written down by one of my attendant 
yakoneens, and no doubt a full and particular 
report of my doings was forwarded to the proper 
quarter. This system has, however, one great 
advantage, and it is this — the most perfect reli- 
ance may be placed on the men with whom you 
