280 REMARKS ON THE RHODODENDRONS. 



previously did may find it difficult, as it was with me, to leave it off ; 

 but the mode I now recommend once tried, they will find it much 

 to their satisfaction, have better plants, and with less trouble. 

 It would be almost needless to say anything on the compost best 

 suited for them, as every general Carnation and Pink grower has his 

 favourite mixture. I advise', however, wherever practicable not to 

 grow them more than once or twice in the same compost, a change 

 is indispensably necessary to success. In my next, I will throw out 

 a few hints on the taking off seed, which should be carefully attended 

 to ; it is of great value, particularly from the Lancashire sorts, and 

 the London seedsmen will give almost any price for it, particularly 

 if it can be warranted not mixed with any other, especially avoiding 

 any but north country flowers. 



I perceive by the last number of the Cabinet that Mr. Ibbett is 

 again in the field, and appears to be somewhat out of good temper. 

 He sweeps all the Lancashire Pinks away at one dash with liis pen, 

 as entirely useless, and not worth cultivation. He and his friend in 

 Northumberland, will have some difficulty to persuade the florists 

 and their customers of the propriety of acting in accordance there- 

 with. 



ARTICLE V. 



REMARKS ON THE RHODODENDRONS. 



BY A NURSERYMAN. 



Observing that Rhododendrons are thought to seed themselves in 

 woods but sparingly, I beg to inform those who wish to cultivate such 

 plants that where, they are grown in woods they are sure to sow them- 

 selves by tens of thousands. In the woods here we have, by a little 

 attention, thousands of self-sown seedling Rhododendron ponticum, 

 growing on any kind of soil excepting stiff clay. I find a strong soil 

 answer better for seed than a light soil in woods, because it retains 

 moisture in a dry season, and the small plants survive the hot wea- 

 ther without artificial watering. We adopt the following system in 

 the culture of Rhododendrons in woods, which has taken place on a 

 most extensive scale : — After a tree is cut, the stump is grubbed up, 

 and the hole is prepared by breaking up the bottom, and widening 



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