110 EVERGREENS. 



the flowers, partaking of the general debility, are 

 deficient in all the essentials of beauty form, size, 

 and colour : their proprietor becomes disappointed, 

 believes his locality unfavourable to their growth, and 

 abandons their cultivation. 



Although the presence of moisture is thus strongly 

 insisted on as an indispensable adjunct, it must not 

 be inferred that stagnant water must be allowed; 

 where such is present, or likely to accumulate, drains 

 must be had recourse to ; and where the soil is not 

 naturally suitable, a compost similar to that above 

 described must be supplied ; and if the beds can be so 

 arranged as to give the plants the benefit of the shade 

 of trees, without the drip from them, it will be an 

 acquisition. 



In ordinary cases, where stagnant water is present, 

 draining, in the usual mode, will correct its injurious 

 effects ; but there are many situations in which it may 

 be desirable to plant, where draining would be altoge- 

 ther impracticable, or would involve too large an outlay, 

 as in bogs and swamps, where great labour would 

 be required to obtain sufficient fall for the outlet. 

 Under such circumstances the desired end may be 

 arrived at by the following process : Procure a quan- 

 tity of old pollards, poles, faggots, and brushwood, or 

 any materials of a similar nature, and with them form 

 a foundation for the soil, on the swamp in which you 

 wish to plant. Upon this sufficient mould must be 

 placed, that, after allowing for subsidence, not less 

 than eighteen inches will remain above the bog. In 

 a site thus prepared, Rhododendrons will be found to 



