216 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



acter of a place. The charm of country life should consist, to a 

 considerable degree, in studying the capabilities of our homes for 

 such adornments. 



It cannot have been the intent of your Committee that I should, 

 in this supplemental paper, give a full list of the many varieties 

 of shrubs. I will briefly name some of the more conspicuous and 

 desirable. And of course Roses will be the first in order, by rea- 

 son of the distinguishing excellence of their flowers. In this 

 respect they are unapproached, and if maintained in vigor and 

 perfect health their foliage is also attractive. Especially is this 

 true of the varieties of the Japanese species rugosa. Unless in- 

 tending to enter the lists in sharp contests for prizes, it will be 

 wise to select the more hard}' and vigorous varieties and omit 

 many prize kinds that have too much Tea or Bourbon blood. 

 The lists and the modes of culture have been frequently published 

 in our Transactions. 



We hesitate to name a worthy follower of this queen of flowers. 

 Perhaps the Rhododendron may take that rank with least dissent. 

 Its fine persistent foliage and its large trusses of brilliant flowers, 

 in great variety of color, are exceptionally gorgeous. We may 

 be inclined to say, after being intoxicated with the display of 

 some large and varied collection, that it is unequalled for land- 

 scape eflfect. Yet we must bear in mind that these results are not 

 realized in general culture ; that the conditions to success are ab- 

 solute and that there are man}' localities and various purposes to 

 which the character of the foliage and the habit of the plant are 

 not adapted. There is also a liability to injury from the winter 

 exposure which detracts from their usefulness in many positions. 



Our native Kalmia latifolia can boast of clearer, brighter ever- 

 green foliage, and exquisitely beautiful flowers which, however, 

 are limited in range of color. It is a charming shrub when in its 

 proper place. 



The varieties of Azalea mollis, of recent introduction, will prove 

 to be a great addition to our list of flowering shrubs if they are 

 found to be suflBciently hardy. At the Arnold Arboretum they 

 have withstood the winter without protection, and my own collec- 

 tion has passed the last two winters without injury. In some other 

 places they have suffered. Their flowers approach the brilliant 

 Indian type in substance and perfection of form, though as yet 

 they are more limited in the variety of colors. 



