60 THE GARDENER. [Feb. 



get to enable it to perfect its growth, and form flower-buds for the 

 succeeding season. From these facts, as well as from experience 

 of results, it seems obvious that a soil to be suitable for Rhododen- 

 drons must be soft and spongy in its texture, capable of retaining 

 moisture, and possessed of a large percentage. of vegetable matter. 



Supplying all that is necessary for their sustenance, as far as soil is 

 concerned, peat should invariably be used when attainable, in prefer- 

 ence to any artificial compost ; and when a choice can be had, w^e 

 prefer that which is found in bogs or heathy moors, as being less 

 decomposed, more fibry, and consequently richer than that from 

 higher and more exposed situations. The surface-turf only should be 

 taken, cut not deeper than 6 inches, and chopped down with the spade 

 sufficiently fine to allow the largest pieces to pass through a 3-inch 

 sieve ; after the addition of a moderate allowance of manure, which 

 has been laid up at least twelve months — say 1 ton to 6 — with a 

 similar quantity of clean sharp sand, the w^hole turned over and 

 thoroughly incorporated, it may at once be transferred to the beds, 

 and the planting commenced forthwith. 



As we have already indicated, a limited supply of peat, or even its 

 entire absence, need not deter any one from attempting the cultiva- 

 tion of Rhododendrons ; the materials for forming an artificial com- 

 post which will adequately supply all their requirements, exist in a 

 separate state, and may be found in abundance in every district in the 

 country. Loamy turf from old pastures, cut just deep enough to include 

 the fibre, of which it cannot have too much, with about one-half of its 

 bulk of rotten leaves and old cow-dung, and more or less sand, according 

 to the character of the loam, the whole mass chopped down with the 

 spade, not too fine, and well mixed together, will form a compost which 

 any Rhododendron will duly appreciate, and grow in with the greatest 

 luxuriance. Charred garden refuse — such as prunings, weeds, and old 

 tan-bark — forms a valuable supplement to such a compost, and may be 

 used liberally, when it can be had, with great benefit to the plants. In 

 no other form should these substances be introduced, as unless they are 

 so thoroughly decomposed as to be scarcely distinguishable from fine 

 mould, they are not only worthless, but highly pernicious. This applies 

 specially to old tan, which has sometimes been recommended. We have 

 never seen the young roots working freely amongst it in any state; but 

 very often when the decomposition was but partial, the ball was found 

 to be covered with white fungus, and the plant in a sickly condition. 



In connection with the making up of such composts, it may be 

 noticed that, from some cause which we have never heard satisfac- 

 torily explained. Rhododendrons have the greatest repugnance to cal- 

 careous soil, and refuse to grow where lime or chalk is in immediate 



