GOOD SHRUBS FOR THE YARD 157 



and New York, has been used much for naturaliz- 

 ing in the past few years. In fact it has been used 

 too much, especially on large estates where it is 

 thickly plastered over every available space. The 

 first thing a millionaire does after closing the pur- 

 chase of a tract of land on which to build a mansion, 

 is to order a train-load of Rhododendrons. He 

 evidently seems to think that he thus establishes 

 beyond doubt his status in the county. Rhodo- 

 dendrons are much more effective when used spar- 

 ingly, and planted not too close together, for they 

 grow into dense masses of thickly matted foliage 

 and crowd each other out in a short time. A few 

 Rhododendrons are a great addition to a small 

 place a carload or so is a detriment. The loca- 

 tion for them is in partial shade along the edge of 

 the wood, on slightly rising or uneven ground. A 

 good clump thus placed where it will be seen at a 

 slight distance from the driveway is more enjoy- 

 able, and looks better than enormous plantations 

 stretching in all directions like a nursery. They 

 will not grow on limestone soil; they prefer a light, 

 sandy loam, and once established in this they arc 

 not much care except that they should be kept 



