52 the tree propagator and planter. 



The Rhododendron. 



The propagation of the Rhododendron is by seed, by 

 layers, and by grafting. Seedling stock from the com- 

 mon var. ponticum are used for grafting the rarer sorts 

 on. Seedlings may be raised freely by sowing seed on 

 the surface of the open ground of a peaty nature, and in 

 the shade, as in the case of similar full-grown plants, 

 or any other plants of the same class. In the spring 

 prick up the ground under them, and then rake it down 

 to a fine surface, and sow the seed thickly all over the 

 surface under and between the plants, or on a shady 

 border of a peat soil, and draw the back of a spade 

 gently over the surface, and leave it. The ground must 

 not be either hoed or raked for a twelvemonth after 

 the seed is sown. It may be sown in seed-pans and 

 set under a north wall, and must be kept damp. The 

 layering is done as for the Azalea, and the grafting as 

 for the Camellia. 



The Camellia. 



The Camellia as a flower is too well known to require 

 any description here ; but, as a plant, it is scarcely so 

 well known. The Camellia is generally considered by 

 amateurs a difficult plant to manage. Many fail to 

 make it answer their expectations, and get disheartened ; 

 but, in my opinion, the Camellia is easy to grow, so as 

 to flower as well as a rose. In doing this a certain 

 simple step has to be taken, which consists in merely 

 subjecting the plant to a mild heat for a few weeks 

 after it has flowered, until the flower-bud has formed 

 itself, and no longer. Then either discontinue the heat 

 or harden the plants off for a week, and remove them 

 out into the open air, and set them under a north wall 

 for the summer months until the middle of October, 

 supplying them with water as required, and once a week 

 giving them some liquid manure. If the Camellias are 

 continued in the house, no heat must be allowed them 

 after the flower-bud has formed, and all the air is ad- 



