322 GARDEN FLOWERS. 



for these shrubs ; but the hardy sorts will grow well planted 

 either in fibry or heavy loams, which are improved by the 

 addition of vegetable soil. They are propagated in a variety 

 of ways. The common sorts increase plentifully from seeds, 

 which are also resorted to (the flowers having been cross- 

 fertilized), for the raising of new varieties. Sow the seeds 

 in broad shallow pots, well drained, and filled with a mixture 

 of two-thirds peat and one-third loam ; place them in a cold 

 pit ; keep the soil moist, for it must not once dry after the 

 seeds are in. When large enough, prick the young plants 

 out at an inch apart, into other pots or pans, and, as they 

 become larger, pot them singly ; or, if intended for the open 

 air, plant them in peat-beds, giving them room from year to 

 year by taking away alternate plants, and putting them else- 

 where. They may continue in the beds till they flower. If 

 there be any doubt of their hardiness, put hoops and mats 

 over them ; but it is useless to raise tender ones, while there 

 are so many fine hardy varieties. Approved sorts and rare 

 species are propagated by layering, or by grafting on stocks 

 of the common species, sometimes by cuttings. 



R. arboreum (tree) ; half-hardy evergreen tree ; 20 feet ; flow- 

 ers rose, in April ; Nepaul ; 1820. This species has given rise 

 to many richly-colored hybrids. R. Catawbiense (Catawba) ; 

 hardy evergreen shrub ; 4 feet ; flowers purple, in June ; North 

 America ; 1809. The varieties of this afford all shades of colors, 

 from purple and rose to pink and white. R. ciliatum (ciliate) ; 

 half-hardy evergreen shrub ; 18 inches ; flowers purple or whit- 

 ish ; Sikkim Himalaya ; 1850. R. Dalhonsia (Lady Dalhousie's); 

 half-hardy evergreen shrub ; 6 feet ; flowers white, in March ; 

 Himalaya ; 1850. R. formosimt {s\\o\Ny) ; greenhouse evergreen 

 shrub; 6 feet; flowers white, in June; India; 1837. Called 

 also R. Gibso7ii. R. hirsutum (hairy) ; hardy evergreen shrub ; 

 2 feet ; flowers bright rose or white, in May ; Switzerland ; 1656. 

 R. Javanicum (Javanese) ; greenhouse or stove evergreen 



