:11:02
Many years ago, when I was
travelling about the country,
:11:06
I noticed magnificent hydrangeas
on the hills,
:11:09
where the air drainage was, uh... perfect,
:11:13
and very poor specimens,
or perhaps none at all, in the valleys.
:11:18
Formerly, we used to consider
sheltered valleys
:11:21
more favourable to plants than hilltops.
:11:24
But the avoidance of late spring
and early autumn frosts
:11:28
enjoyed by sites with good air drainage,
:11:30
where the cold air
can drain safely away to lower levels,
:11:34
gives the hills a decided advantage.
:11:38
Thus it was the hydrangeas
that gave the first pointer
:11:41
in another modern discovery
of horticultural importance.
:11:45
From this, it might appear that
the hydrangea is a fairly simple plant,
:11:50
but there are more complications.
:11:52
The cultivation of hydrangeas
was evolved
:11:55
from a number of varieties
originally found in Japan.
:11:59
Not all of which, of course,
have the same characteristics.
:12:03
Two of them do not share the quality
:12:05
of producing blue flowers
in mineral-rich soils.
:12:16
Allow me to introduce
our American visitors.
:12:20
I must ask you to forgive
their somewhat lackadaisical manners,
:12:23
but I have conditioned them,
:12:25
or brainwashed them, which I
understand is the new American word,
:12:29
to believe that they are
waiting out a storm
:12:32
in the lobby of a small hotel
in New Jersey
:12:34
where a meeting of
the ladies' garden club is in progress.
:12:38
You will notice
that I have told them they may smoke.
:12:43
I've allowed my people to have a little fun
:12:46
in the selection of
bizarre tobacco substitutes!
:12:51
Are you enjoying your cigarette, Ed?
:12:54
Yes, ma'am.
:12:56
Yak dung.
:12:58
Oh..."Tastes good...
like a cigarette should!"