346 THE GARDENER. [Aug. 



NOTES ON "AMERICAN" OR PEAT - SOIL SHRUBS 



KALMIA. 



Of this genus of American slirubs it is unnecessary to say more, by way 

 of commendation, than that it contains among the few species of which 

 it is composed some of the most handsome Evergreens in cultivation, 

 and that they have long been extensively grown and universal favourites 

 both in general shrubberies and in collections of peat-soil plants. 



Introduced at intervals between 1734 and 1825 from JN'orth America, 

 where they are diffused over a very wide area, growing in rocky woods 

 and high mountain-bogs, some of the species pervading large tracts 

 in a similar manner with the Calluna vulgaris of our moorlands, 

 they have proved themselves perfectly hardy and easily cultivated in 

 this country, growing with the greatest luxuriance under the ordinary 

 conditions necessary for the other American plants. 



All the species have bright showy flowers, elegant foliage, and neat 

 habits of growth, forming close dwarf bushes, in some cases only a few 

 inches, and never above 4 or 5 feet, in height. The blooming season 

 extends over a considerable period of the spring and summer, some of 

 the sorts coming out early in April, in favourable seasons in March, 

 while others are not in perfection till July. 



Along with their attractive colours the flowers are interesting from 

 their singular shape, the corolla consisting of a single tubular-based 

 and spreading-topped petal, the ten stamens bending back from the 

 centre so as to resemble the ribs of an umbrella, concealing the 

 anthers in an equal number of cavities regularly disposed round the 

 inside ; these cavities form horn-like protuberances on the outside, 

 and give to the flower the appearance of an elaborately-carved and 

 elegant salver. 



While all the species are really evergreen, some of them have a ten- 

 dency, in very severe winters or in exposed situations, to partially 

 shed their leaves in midwinter or early in spring, before the growth 

 begins ; this, however, has no bad efi'ect on the health of the plants, 

 as on the approach of genial weather they begin to grow with their 

 usual vigour, and expand their blossoms at the proper season. 



Though light sandy peat is the best soil for all the sorts, they will 

 thrive in a rich arenaceous loam, provided it contains plenty of fibre. 



The Kalmias are admirable subjects for pot-culture, as they can be 

 easily forced into early flowering, and are most eff'ective and pleasing 

 additions to the decoration of the conservatory at any season. For 

 this purpose they may be potted, and placed at once in the forcing- 

 house. If wanted very early, however, the best plan is to lift them in 



