I873-] HYBRID RHODODENDRONS. 367 



their earliest convenience. Further, for the edification of those of our 

 readers who happen not to be acquainted with many of the best forc- 

 ing varieties, I shall enumerate and describe a list out of which they 

 need not hesitate to select or take at random. 



VARIETIES OF THE WHITE TYPE. 



Mrs John Glutton : A most chaste variety, and for delicacy and 

 general finish hard to surpass j flowers glistening white, delicately 

 sufi"used with blush ; the upper petal is stained with reddish brown, 

 succeeded by other markings of canary-yellow to the top of a small 

 blotch. What enhances the efiect of this flower is the presence of two 

 uniform small round reddish spots, one opposite the other, situated 

 exactly in the middle of blotch near the margin; form of flowers 

 round, while the truss is handsome, bold, and tapering. — Minnie: 

 Another of the first merit ; the truss a model to imitate, showing a 

 striking airy grace diflicult to describe; flowers a solid glistening 

 white, tinged blush. The blotch is a chief characteristic, being com- 

 posed of closely-set markings of crimson brown, strong on the centre 

 of upper lobes, and extending to the two which join it, one on each 

 side. — La Vivandiere : This forms a delicate airy truss of pure waxy- 

 white flowers, mottled above with greenish yellow ; pretty. — Conces- 

 sum : White, strongly sufi'used with rosy blush ; has great flattish 

 flowers ; upper petals strongly marked with brownish-red pencillings 

 washed over with yellow ; truss extra large, of conical shape, very 

 graceful and showy. — Mrs Mangles : Flowers campanulate, of spark- 

 ling French white, with a feathery outline of maroon touches reach- 

 ing from the centre petal on to those on each side ; truss rather loose, 

 but large. — Lady Godiva : White, with a bold marking of brisk yellow 

 overspreading two parts of the centre petal ; texture good ; form flat- 

 tish, but strikingly fine in outline. — Sultana : Twin sister to Lady 

 Godiva, Avith perhaps the difi'erence of appearance in her favour, hav- 

 ing rather a cupped flower and more rounded petals or lobes, and 

 markings of brownish yellow. — Madame Masson : Delicate pure white, 

 w^ith a marking above of pale-green spots; truss medium size; ex- 

 ceedingly pretty ; much admired. 



VARIETIES OF LILAC SHADES. 



^ Black-eyed Susan : One of the most distinct and fine sorts, with 

 bold large flattish flowers of a violet-purple cast, changing to a lighter 

 hue towards the base of the corolla ; its blotch is very conspicuous 

 owing to its density of colour ; the centre of the uppermost segment 

 is dotted closely over with deep maroon touches, which extend to the 

 segments on each side, where the marking is less distinct ; again, over 



