THE GARDENING WORLD 
November 5, 1904. 
Bamboos. 
Taking into consideration the popularity which the above 
have attained during the last few years, I am often surprised 
that reference is so> seldom made to them in these pages;, and 
have therefore been tempted to write a few words in theiir 
favour, as mo outdoor plants, im my opinion, afford more 
pleasure during the dull winter months than suitably placed, 
•healthy Bamboo®. I will confine my notes to the few varieties 
which I have met, and if I am not presuming too much a 
few hints as to culture may not be out of place. 
In the first place, a position sheltered from the; north and 
east is essential, as cold winds do more; harm than frosts.. 
A deep, rich, moist soil in which leaf-mould predominates 
is desirable, and during the growing season, frequent soakings 
with water will be most beneficial. An annual top dressing of 
good manure (farmyard) is, also, of great value. 
Bamboos, should never be moved or divided before the end 
of Mayor beginning of June, as at that time they are making 
fresh growth, and the roots are quickly re-established ; there¬ 
fore the plants have every chance to move away without show¬ 
ing much sign® of having been, disturbed. 
Bambusa palmata, spreads rapidly, and should be planted 
in partial shade where it, will have plenty of root run,. It 
grows 7 ft. or 8 ft. high, and lias broad, bright green leaves. 
B. mannorata requires a warm spot to bring out, the beauty 
of its; slim, dark stems and bright green leaves. It belongs 
to the dwarf section. 
B. pygmaea i,s the smallest of all Bamboos, and spreading 
rapidly as it doe® soon forms a dense carpet of greenery. 
Arundinaria, Falconer! with slender stems 10 ft,, or 12 ft. 
high furnished with bright green leaves is rather tender and 
requires a sheltered position. It is well worthy of a, little 
extra care. 
A. Hindsii is noteworthy for it® erect stems and dark green 
foliage. 
A. japonic a, also; known as Bambusa Metake, is a well- 
known species'. Although a damp soil suits its requirements 
best, it, also doe®, well in drier situations. 
A. an,ceps is quite hardy and a vigorous grower, with long 
graceful stems attaining a, height of 14 ft. or 16 ft. 
A. Sirnoni is: also quite hardy, grows' about the same height 
as A. anceps, only the stems are; more: erect and the leaves a 
tr ifle broader than that species. 
A. nitida requires plenty of head room to show to perfection 
its beautiful outline, and prefers partial shade. It is a hand¬ 
some species, with purplish-brown stems and short branches 
with pale green leaves. 
A. Fortune! is perfectly hardy, and only growing about, 1 ft. 
or 2 ft. high would be very effective placed in front of a 
shrubbery, with its pale green leaves striped with white. 
Phyllostaehys nigra is very distinct with its long, slender 
dark stems. It; is a, most beautiful variety and well worthy of 
a, place in every collection. 
P. viridi-gla.ucescens is another noteworthy species, with 
lon<r graceful stems and glaucous leaves. 
P. Quilioi is a tall-growing form with arching growths and 
leaves of a deep green hue. Experienced hands could add 
many more, but the above remarks; are only made from obser¬ 
vations taken during my experience in the capacity of an 
under-gardener. A. H. F. 
East Lothian. 
Young Fungologists Wanted.— On Saturday, the 15th nit., 
after the Essex Field Club had held its twenty-fifth annual 
“Fungus Foray,” the experts, Dr. Cooke and Mr. Masses, 
pointed out that new workers are wanted to take their places 
when they become too, old to; labour in the field. The “ demand ” 
has not been made too soon, for Dr. Cooke, the father of British 
fungology, is eighty years old, if not more ; but whether it will 
be followed by a “ supply ” remains to be seen. There are plenty 
to take an interest in natural history, but few to seriously 
spend their lives on investigating difficult groups of plants and 
animals. Perhaps the fact that though the labourer may be 
worthy of his hire he often cannot get a living wage from 
scientific investigation has something to do with it. 
Eucharis grandiflora. 
I hardly think this beautiful stove plant is quite so, exten¬ 
sively grown as. what it deserves to be. Perhaps it is on 
account of some people finding it rather difficult to understand 
its cultivation. This 1 need hardly be so, for when one has 
grasped the chief details regarding its wants, it will he found 
quite easy to deal with. 
A batch of well-grown Eucharis i® not only a credit to the 
man whose charge' they come under, but a good acquisition to 
a collection of stove plants. They are a, most profitable thino- 
to grow for cut-flower decoration. When used as such. 
Asparagus Spremgerii or plumosus will be found to set them 
off to' a, great advantage, their own foliage being of too formal 
a character. 
Supposing one wishes to 1 include Eucharis in. his collection of 
plants, the best and quickest way to, work up a stock would be 
to buy some established; stuff, taking great care to' see' they 
are not infested with the Eucharis mite. If this troublesome 
pest be present the plant invariably shows it by the leaves 
having a sickly yellow appearance, but to be on the sure; side 
turn one out of its pot and examine the bulbs. If the outer 
skin is decayed; and of a brown, colour, you may depend upon 
it that the mite is present, and the would-be purchaser would 
do well to discard the idea of having any dealings with them. 
In some cases the mite can be cleared out by washing the 
bulbs in paraffin emulsion, then letting them soak in it for half 
an hour or so, afterwards: placing them on a, shelf in the sun 
to, dry, taking care to place some slight shading over them to 
prevent undue shrivelling, should the sun appear very strong. 
If one wishes to start with dormant bulbs lie may do so. 
The: best time toi do this would be: in the spring of the' year, 
which would give them a chance to start straight away into 
growth. 
A compost which I have found' to suit the' Eucharis 
admirably consists of two parts loam and one of peat, with 
the addition of some good coarse sand and charcoal. If the 
sand is not of the coarsest nature break some bricks to about 
the size: of walnuts and add these at the rate of a 10-in,, potful 
to each barrowload of soil. The loam should not on any 
account be fine, the more lumpy the better. 
An 8-in. pot should be used and well crocked ; quite one- 
third of the pot should be full of crocks, a® good drainage is 
most essential to Eucharis. About six bulbs will be sufficient 
for this size ; they should be just covered with soil and potted 
moderately firm. If these can be plunged in a. gentle heat, so 
much the better. Nevertheless:, there are many good collec¬ 
tions. of Eucharis in the country that never are plunged to start 
them, showing that it is not absolutely necessary to plunge 
them. 
Keep them well s-prayed over several tune® a day. The 
atmosphere of the house should at all times be full of moisture. 
Watering will not be necessary until root action ha® taken 
place. The temperature should be 60 deg. to 65 deg. during 
night, rising by day according to the outside condition's. Blinds 
will also be necessary and should be used rather freely, as the 
Eucharis is no great lover of sunshine. 
When the plants become established and large specimens are 
required they should be potted on, and' if one wishes to increase 
the stock he may do so by breaking off the offsets, potting 
them up accordingly. 
It is a great mistake to pot Eucharis too, often.; potting is 
not a.t, all desirable unless absolutely necessary. Feeding 
must be practised; liquid cow-manure, being of a cooling 
nature, suit® them admirably. Clear soot-water -will be found 
very beneficial. 
By these means two or three crops of flowers may be had 
during the year, but the practice of drying off must be 
abolished; both the water supply and temperature must be 
reduced after flowering, so as to give them a little; rest after 
flowering, but at no time must they approach being dry. 
Cockroaches, are very partial to Eucharis blooms, and will 
disfigure many during the night-time if not, interfered with. 
To check them twist some cottonwool round the base of each 
spike. They dislike this 1 owing to it clinging to their feet and 
getting entangled therein. H. H. 
