62 BRIEF NOTICES OP NEW OR RARE PLANTS. 



Where the soil of the garden is of a stiff clayey nature, a bed must be dug and 

 filled in with the above compost. The depth of the prepared soil need not exceed 

 twenty inches or two feet, for the roots of the Rhododendron are generally 

 comprised within a very moderate space. 



In dry situations, however, a greater depth of soil will be absolutely necessary — 

 at least three feet, and the compost should be made richer and more retentive, by 

 an increased proportion of the rotten manure and a little decayed turfy loam. The 

 surface of the bed should in these cases be lower than that of the contiguous soil, so 

 as to retard as much as possible the escape of moisture. In many places where the 

 natural soil contains friable loam, sand, and vegetable matter, in about equal propor- 

 tions, the preparation of an artificial compost will be unnecessary. 



"With regard to the exposure, we would observe, that though natives of elevated 

 places, Rhododendrons do not flourish when fully exposed to the sun's influence; in 

 such situations the foliage is often scorched, and the growth much less luxuriant 

 than in localities partially shaded. A gentle northern slope, with a slight screen 

 on the southern side, appears to be a situation they delight in, and one that exhibits 

 their beauties in the greatest perfection ; but we must add, that although they 

 enjoy the shade of trees, their drip is injurious to them. 



These shrubs possess one obvious advantage over those of a deciduous character, 

 in being removable at nearly all seasons, and whatever may be the size of the 

 specimens. The first season after planting they should be frequently and regularly 

 watered, especially should the weather be dry ; and it is desirable to use for this 

 purpose either rain water, or such as has been exposed some time to the weather. 



When the soil is poor, or exhausted, all American plants derive great benefit 

 from an occasional dose of weak liquid manure, which has been used with con- 

 siderable success by some cultivators. After they are fairly established, the only 

 attention they will require will be watering in dry summers, and the removal of 

 weak, straggling shoots with the knife. This is best done early in April, and when 

 several young shoots are produced, a portion of them should be thinned out. 



In concluding our remarks on these noble plants, we would again impress upon 

 our readers the necessity of never allowing them to become thoroughly dry at the root. 



BRIEF NOTICES OF NEW OR RARE PLANTS. 



[The number of hardy and half hardy subjects introduced during the last few years, 

 is so considerable, that it would be impossible in a work of limited extent like our 

 own, to figure a tenth part of those deserving notice. With a view, therefore, to 

 make our little periodical more generally useful, we propose to publish monthly, 



