6: 
» =<e) Ss © S&S 3 All the leading varieties, half-standards, 1s. each 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
Anonst 1, 1908 
E“punit "Trees 3 Orange, Lemon, Peach, Apple, Pear, Plum, ete 
HARDY SHRUBS, Trees, Climbers, etc. 
BULBS, Hyacinth, Daffodil, Anemone, Tuberose, 
&S Ec EE p BD) Ss 3 Vegetable and Flower. Agricultural, Horticultural Sund 
Gladiolus. 
ries in great var’et.y 
E. & W. HACKETT, 
Seedsmen, N urserymen, &c., 
73 Rundle Street, Adelaide. 
The Flower Garden. 
SINGLE TUBEROUS BEGONIAS. 
The Bamboo. 
By J. Cronin. 
lants generally known as bamboos 
ret postal genera, including Bam- 
busa, Arundinaria, and Phyllostachys. 
With few exceptions they are natives gE 
India, Japan. China, and other Partagt 
Eastern Asia; but a few occur um tropi 
America, and the well known Bamboo of 
most gardens,the Danubian reed. arunilg 
donax,. is a.native: of South Europe. 
latter has been planted in almost alt 
districts and divisions of the State, an 
-although a moisture and. shaded ovis 
plant—as are all othars of this class—the 
Arundo is often seen growing in large 
clumps or patches under conditions totally 
different to those generally considered 
necessary for its wellbeing. When well 
established it will endure fairly rough 
conditions, and is a valuable shelter plant 
for poultry, in addition to its picturesque- 
ness ; the reeds or canes are also valuable 
as stakes or for trellls making. This fairly 
common plant is worthy of much extended 
culture, especially where moist and shady 
positions are abundant. 
The finer types of bamboos are not as 
easily grown as the Arundo, but where 
suitable conditions prevail they are fairly 
hardy and require little attention when 
well established. Shelter from hot winds 
is the most important faclor in selecting 
sites for them, and sufficient water to 
insure moderate moisture in the soil 
during hot dry periods is almost of equal 
importance. In many gardens several 
kinds are found to thrive with a little 
care and attention when first planted, 
the effect produced quite justifying the 
trouble taken to establish them. Some 
kinds are erect in habit of growth and 
attain a height of 15 to 20 feet: others 
are smaller but. far more graceful in 
appearance, while some are distinctly 
dwarf plants and suitable for planting in 
tha smallest gardens. 
The most suitable soil is a light loam 
that contains a fair amount of humus. 
Heavy soils may be brougut to the right 
condifion by the addition of manure 
containing plenty of straw or other 
material tending to produce porosity, . 
while sandy soils will heuefit by the 
addition of strong loam or clay or cow 
manure. Though bamboos are naturally 
denizens of low and shaded situations, 
they will not thrive if the'soil is water 
logged and sour. A fairly drained ‘soil is 
found in gardening practice to be an 
Telephone 350 
absolute necessity for their successful 
cultivation. 
A suitable situation is of more import- 
ance than soil. Bamboos must have 
protection from fierce winds to ao well. 
A situation sheltered from north winds in 
summer is most suitable. In the Botanic 
Gardens they are grown in all aspects, a 
. feat that is wasily accomplished there on 
account of the shelter provided by the 
splendidly designed groups of large trees 
that have been planted to provide such 
shelter for tender plants in addition to 
scenic effect. In small gardens the shelter 
of a fence, hedge or tree, or house, will 
supply ihe conditions suitable. Bamboos 
are often planted in mixed groups of 
plants and in such situations are fairly 
effective, hut to display them to advantage 
they should be grown in rather isolated 
positions where there is room to develop 
their grewth and elegant characteristics 
without hindrance. Many kinds are 
specially suitable for planting as speci- 
mens on lawns, Bombusa gracilis being 
one of the best for the purpose 
Bamboos are propagated from divisions 
BEGONIA CREDNERI,. 
