of these luxuries, which certainly repay the outlay by the richness of their verdure 

 and the brilliancy of their flowers during the most pleasant months of the year. 



It may likewise be observed that the most neglected spots of the garden are 

 generally most adapted to the cultivation of these shrubs ; where the hand of the 

 gardener seldom reaches, will be found their favorite localities ; barren sites on 

 which nothing else will grow, maybe transformed into delicious bowers, affording, 

 during the intense heat of summer, a cool and shady retreat, surrounded by flowers 

 and verdure of unequalled elegance. 



Moreover, almost all localities in this country offer great facilities for the suc- 

 cessful culture of these shrubs, and groups of them may be formed at the same 

 expense as of those of any other kind, the most suitable species being nearly 

 always either at hand, or close in the neighborhood. 



Any one who has seen a group of judiciously selected Rhododendrons mingled 

 with collections of American or of Pontic Azaleas (Az. Pontica et var.) of the 

 Kalmia Latifolia (Laurel), Angustifolia, Aubra, of superb species of Andromeda, 

 Mahonia, Euonymus, and various other species, will hardly refrain from similarly 

 ornamenting their own plantations, and thereby rendering a neglected spot one of 

 the most attractive on their estate. 



The neglected spots just spoken of are those on the northern aspect of the 

 dwelling-house, and places shaded by lofty trees, chiefly pines, under which shrubs 

 with deciduous leaves, and other plants, grow with reluctance, leaving the ground 

 bare and unsightly ; the shady sides of ravines and hills, particularly if provided 

 with rocks, present more facilities for the picturesque tlian any other location. 



Carriage and other roads in the vicinity of the dwelling-house, frequently leave 

 empty spaces which it is desirable to fill with agreeable objects; in locations having 

 a suitable exposure, the hiatus may be supplied by perennial, annual, or bulbous 

 plants, but those deprived of the sun generally remain barren. 



The following remarks may have a tendency to attract attention to this subject, 

 and have the effect of beautifying and adorning spots now neglected and waste. 



Starting from the principle that the Evergreen shrubs of temperate climates 

 have mostly been intended, by nature, for places too long deprived of light, or 

 other circumstances favorable to vegetation, localities in which the time necessary 

 for these trees to annually renew their foliage is not afforded them, there can be 

 nothing more rational than their employment in gardens for the embellishment of 

 similar localities. 



These localities are generally those parts of the forest most thickly covered with 

 high trees; the Evergreen shrubs are found growing beneath, most of tliom, if not 

 all, deprived of light ; or they will be found in lofty elevations, ca]iped with snow 

 during the greater portion of the year, where they have but a short space of time 

 to develop their flowers, and make a growth which renews, at best, only a tenth 

 of their foliage. 



In these same localities, as in marshy and shady places, there will always be 

 found a soil excessively rich in vegetable matter ; black earth, composed of decayed 

 leaves, or rotten wood ; this observation indicates the kind of earth necessary for 

 these plants. The black mould of swanij)s, exposed to the frost of winter, or the 

 sun of summer, is also excellent, and more easily obtained ; where both are want- 

 ing, their place may be supplied by the earth collected from the adjacent forest. 



Be not alarmed at a deficiency of quantity ; these plants require but little soil, 

 and thrive perhai)s even better, provided the quantity be replaced by a quality 

 made more congenial to them by the admixture of rocks, portions of decayed 

 trees, etc. etc. 



If, therefore, you have a location exposed to the north, where the sun rarely or 



