Rhododcndroiis . 



141 



we have had an abundant bloom, xvithout ever picking off' a seed-pod. 

 In fact, to gather the seed-pods from our acre of plants eight to twelve 

 feet high, would be a labor which no nurseryman would attempt, though 

 a wealthy amateur might do so. 



What Mr. Parsons might have said, if he did not intend the same 

 thing, is this : To bring newdy-planted rhododendrons into a healthy 

 and fine condition and alnuidant bloom, the seed-pods may be gath- 

 ered. It certainly induces a plant, not well established, to make bloom, 

 while it must not be forgotten it also enfeebles the plant to bloom too 

 much. Just as it weakens a young vine to allow it to bear too early, 

 just so it enfeebles the rhododendron, and weakens its vitality, so that 

 it often succumbs to the severity of the winter — the penalty of over- 

 doing. 



That the Rhododeudroii Cataivbiciisc, a native of North America 

 from New England to Florida, will not bloom in its native clime with- 

 out picking off the seed-pods, is certainly sometJiing novel in the 

 nature of shrubs. We can safely aver that it is an entirely useless 

 operation on our grounds. 



We have now some thousands of seedling rhododendrons from five 

 to fifteen years old, and, with the exception of the kinds before named, 

 w'e cultivate few or no others. In fact, there is not a single rhododen- 

 dron of all the so-called hard}- kinds in England, France, and Belgium, 

 unless a variety of Cata\N biense, which will stand the climate of Boston 

 ettiire/y nnJiarmed. They will live and bloom, but so weakly, and 

 with such shabby foliage, that they remind us of a scrub oak. 



All Mr. Parsons says in regard to importation of English kinds and 

 their culture is strictly true ; and to have the rhododendron in perfec- 

 tion, in our climate, the plants must be of the Catawbiense blood, and 

 they must be supplied by the production of seedlings — which tell the 

 story. The plants do not usually bloom till the fourth or fifth year ; if 

 they live to that age they are safe for all time. Let our cultivators give 

 the same attention to this shrub that they have given to the grape, and 

 our grounds will be enriched beyond measure with countless numbers 

 of magnificent varieties. 



