RHODODENDRON 



339 



glass. They should not be disturbed until thoroughly well rooted, when 

 they can be potted in small pots or planted in prepared ground. 



Seed-sowing. The seeds of all rhododendrons and azaleas are very 

 small. They should be sown in pots or pans of soil similar in composition 

 to what is recommended for cuttings, pressed firmly down, and the seed 

 simply sprinkled on the top. All the covering they need is a sprinkling 

 of silver sand sufficient to half bury them. The most important operation 

 in raising rhododendron seeds is in the supply of moisture. They need 

 continuously moist but not sodden conditions, and owing to their light- 

 ness are very easily disturbed, the finest possible rose, therefore, should 

 be attached to the spout of the watering-pot. If this is not available, 

 it is better to plunge the pots to half their depth in water for a short 

 time, and dispense with surface watering altogether. In order to reduce 

 evaporation the seed-pots may be covered with sheets of glass, or a light 

 canvas screen may be placed over them. When large enough to handle, 

 the seedlings should be pricked off in shallow boxes. Seedling rhodo- 

 dendrons are longer than cuttings in reaching the flowering state. The 

 big-leaved ones may be eight to fifteen years, the smaller-leaved ones 

 from three to five years. The most tender species, like those from 

 the Himalaya, whilst they may be hardy enough when they are a few 

 years old, need winter protection during their babyhood. The raising 

 of hybrid rhododendrons and azaleas may be recommended as most 

 interesting work. The various species and varieties cross-breed very 

 readily. 



As a guide to those contemplating the planting of evergreen hybrid 

 rhododendrons I give below a selection of fifty varieties. For advice 

 in making the selection I am indebted to Mr G. Harrow, manager of 

 Messrs Veitch's nursery at Coombe Wood, and previously with Mr 

 Anthony Waterer of Knap Hill. 



Alice, rich rosy pink. 



Baroness Schroeder, white, spotted. 



Bertram W. Currie, crimson, pale centre. 



Brilliant, crimson-scarlet, early. 



Charles Dickens, dark scarlet. 



Corona, various shades of blush pink. 



C. S. Sargent, bright red, late. 



Doncaster, brilliant red. 



Duchess of Connaught, white, yellow 

 spotted. 



Duke of Connaught, rose-crimson. 



Edward S. Rand, bright scarlet. 



Everestianum, rosy lilac, frilled margins. 



Fastuosum, double, bright purple. 



Florence, pink, pale centre. 



Frederick Waterer, fiery crimson. 



Gomer Waterer, white, large. 



James Marshall Brooks, rich red. 



John Spencer, rose with pink margin, late. 



John Walter, rich crimson. 



Lady Annette de Trafford, cream, choco- 

 late blotch. 



Lady Armstrong, pale rose, spotted. 



Lady Clementine Mittord, peach colour, 

 darker margin. 



Lady Clementine Walsh, pinkish white 



with brown blotch. 

 Lady Grey Egertpn, French grey with 



rosy tint. 



Lady Tankerville, pale rose, white centre. 

 Lord Eversley, dark red with black spots. 

 Lord Palmerston, rich rosy red, fine truss 



(syn. Cynthia). 

 Madame Carvalho, white with yellow 



blotch. 

 Marchioness of Lansdowne, pale rose, 



black spotted. 



Martin Hope Sutton, bright red. 

 Michael Waterer, bright scarlet. 

 Mirabile, deep rose, truss very large. 

 Miss Jekyll, creamy with chocolate blotch. 

 Mrs Anthony Waterer, fine white. 

 Mrs E. C. Stirling, blush pink, trusses large. 

 Mrs F. Hankey, salmon red, spotted. 

 Mrs Holford, rich salmon pink. 

 Mrs John Glutton, a very good white. 

 Mrs J. P. Lade, French grey, deep centre. 

 Mrs Mendel, pink, lined with white. 

 Mrs W. Agnew, pale rose, yellow centre. 

 Old Port, rich plum colour. 



