NOVEMBER. 271 



poor sand. Even where the soil is not naturally suitable, it might 

 be made so to a limited extent by mixing rotten leaves and sand 

 with it ; and if the means of cultivating only a few plants of this 

 beautiful tribe can be attained in this manner, the amateur gardener 

 might profitably amuse himself by hybridising and raising seedlings. 

 By selecting distinct and striking varieties to commence with, and 

 judiciously blending the most desirable properties of two dissimilar 

 kinds, such as the late blossoming of Rhododendron maximum with 

 the high colour of R. Russelhanum, or the fine foliage and hardihood 

 of the true R. alta-clerense, &c., a most valuable breed might be 

 obtained, or rather increased, as there already exist several new va- 

 rieties in which large and high-coloured flowers are combined with 

 late blooming. Perhaps, also, some of the recent importations from 

 Northern India (which will soon become common) may be found 

 useful for giving improved form and colour to the common kinds. 

 The subject of shrubs and trees is, however, too important to be 

 dismissed in a page or two, and we shall therefore leave it to be 

 treated on by our successor in this part of the Florist. For the same 

 reason we have purposely avoided giving detailed directions for the 

 management of greenhouse plants, that being a subject sufficient in 

 itself to occupy the space allotted to the Ladies' Page. 



As regards the winter management of the plants which have been 

 potted for the flower-garden, it may be advisable to caution inexpe- 

 rienced gardeners against the too liberal use of fire and water. No 

 more fire-heat must be given than is necessary for preventing the 

 access of frost to them and to expel damp, and no more water than 

 is necessary to prevent them from actually flagging for the want of 

 it; for too much warmth only excites such plants into unnatural 

 growth at a season when they ought to be at rest, and too much 

 moisture softens their tissue by filling their vessels with fluid, engen- 

 ders damp, and thus causes them to be more susceptible of injury by 

 cold. When brick pits or wooden frames are used for the purpose 

 of wintering plants, and leaves or stable- dung are employed as a 

 warming agent in place of hot-water pipes or smoke-flues, such fer- 

 menting materials must be built up on all sides of the pit or frame 

 as high as its top. A substantial lining of leaves, covered by some 

 long litter or fern, will keep out a severe frost, if the lights are also 

 well protected ; for which purpose straw mats, or thatched wooden 

 frames made to fit the lights, or boarded sliutters with a little dry 

 hay spread between them and the glass, are perhaps as good as any 

 thing. The lights should be drawn off* for an hour or two on fine 

 dr5" days, and air must be freely given by tilting them whenever the 

 weather is suitable ; dead leaves or other decaying matter must also 

 be frequently removed by hand-picking. 



Although it will be impossible at this season to maintain that 

 order and cleanliness which so greatly enhance the enjoyment of a 

 pleasure-ground, still the falling leaves ought not to be suff'ered to 

 accumulate on the walks and in the immediate vicinity of the dwelling- 

 house, where, in addition to their unsightliness, the exhalations aris- 

 ing from decaying matter would be insalubrious. When the leaves 



