RHOD \\TIIE 



422 



RHUBARB. 



a collar, is an underground stem, or nearly 

 so, thrust forth laterally from the plant, and 

 from this the leaves and blossoms imme- 

 diately grow, and the roots issue, taking a 

 downward course into the earth. 



Rhodanthe (nat. ord. Compos'itse). 



These half-hardy annuals, which are now 

 called Helipterum> though they are still, 

 perhaps, better known under the old name, 

 ire everlastings of great beauty ; valuable 

 'Jike for the decoration of the conservatory 

 and flower garden. Their neat compact 

 growth renders them suitable for flower 

 beds and ribbons, while their rich-coloured 

 flowers, elegant habit of growth, and pro- 



RHODANTHE MANGLESH. 



fuse blooming, make them objects of uni- 

 versal admiration : the flowers, if gathered 

 when young, are valuable for winter bou- 

 quets. Succeed best in* a light rich soil and 

 warm, sheltered situation. The best known 

 is Rhodanthe or Helipterum Mangle$ii> 

 bright rose, with silvery calyx, one foot. 



Rhododendrons. 



Of late years rhododendrons have so 

 greatly increased and multiplied, and have 

 improved so rapidly by crossing, that they 

 are now, without exception, the most mag- 

 nificent of all our hardy shrubs. They are 

 also so cheap as to be brought within the 

 reach of all, and yet many fine specimens 

 *re so valuable as to continue the luxuries 



of the rich. They vary in price from 155. 

 a hundred to 15 guineas a plant. Nothing 

 equals the common Rhododendron Pan- 

 ticum for underwood in plantations, or 

 furnishing cover for game. There are about 

 eighteen or twenty varieties of this class 

 alone, including almost every shade of 

 colour. The splendid R. Catawbiense 

 variety has been almost equally fruitful in 

 hybrids, and presents its formidable list of 

 R. C. albums, R. C. roseums, R. C. pur- 

 pureums, R. C. splendens, &c. 



Amidst hosts of other hardy hybrids, 

 those from R. arboreum are as good as any. 

 But the list of hybrids both for the green- 

 house and the open air are so numerous that 

 it is not possible to find room for them. 

 Unless the intending buyer has consider- 

 able experience, it is best for him to leave 

 the selection to the nurseryman, stating the 

 price per dozen or hundred that he is dis- 

 posed to give. All rhododendrons require 

 bog soil or peat. They bear frequent 

 removal ; but care must always be taken 

 not to break the ball of earth or loosen the 

 soil from the stem. 



Rhubarb (Rheum). 



Although rhubarb is used as a substitute 

 for fruit, and is therefore often regarded as 

 such, it is in reality a very vegetable, and is 

 properly included among plants whose 

 leaves, leaf-stalks, and flowers are eaten. 



Rhubarb grows very freely, and is pro- 

 pagated by means of suckers, or division of 

 roots. It will grow without forcing ; but it 

 is far better forced. The best kinds for early 

 forcing are the Prince Albert and Linnaeus, 

 which force with less heat than most other 

 kinds. If r.iubarb be forced on the ground 

 where it grows, nothing more is required 

 than to cover with large pots and half casks, 

 or even boxes, round and over which should 

 be placed plenty of stable manure by this 

 method it is blanched ; but when forced in 

 a frame, or otherwise, it is ijnnecessary to 



