out with safety which
towards the midlands and north would scarcely exist. But latitude is not
everything, and easily proved so by the rude vigour of plants from New
Zealand and the Himalayas that are happy in the north of Scotland, but
failures in the midlands and further south of England, requiring the
protection of glass to develop their characteristic beauty.

The place for the tender evergreens must be protected from dry north and
east winds. Mr. Bean writes me: "One of the most striking examples I
have met with of the importance of having a situation such as is
described is the Duchess' garden at Belvoir Castle. Belvoir is in the
eastern midlands, a district where the average temperature is certainly
not high, and where, during my stay there, the thermometer fell on more
than one occasion to zero (Fahr.). Yet in this particular spot (known
as the Duchess' garden) there were fine specimens of Himalayan
Rhododendrons--one of _R. Falconeri_ being especially noteworthy for the
way it grew and flowered--an _Azara microphylla_, 16 feet high, and
other similar examples. The explanation of these successes, I believe,
is entirely in the situation and exposure of the garden. It was formed
on the slope of a rather steep hill, and is in the shape of an
amphitheatre opening freely to the south. The bitter 'north-easter'
loses much of its sting before it reaches the plants in this garden. In
most gardens it is, of course, impossible to obtain sites so favourable
as this. One has to make the best of what exists. But at the same time
it shows the desirability, often the necessity, of choosing positions
for the tenderer evergreens in which this need of shelter is
satisfactorily met. Bamboos, Camellias, many Rhododendrons, Elaeagnus,
all afford striking examples of the value of a shelter belt on the north
and east sides." A cool, moist soil is generally necessary for evergreen
shrubs, and we know this to be true from the distress shown by many
kinds during a dry and parching summer.

THE TIME TO TRANSPLANT.--Early autumn, but much depends upon the
previous weather. It often happens that evergreens cannot be lifted
through a dry soil. The same trees after winter rains may be moved with
ease and safety in April or May. An evergreen should be disturbed whilst
the roots are active, and by doing this in September the shrub can
establish itself before winter--hence the object of waiting until late
spring, when autumn has been missed, as