THE KALMIA. 



57 



objects about tbe grounds, and may be used as a sort 

 of dwarf avenue on each side of a shrubbery walk, or 

 for a neat back break-hedge to borders, &c. 



The propagation of all kinds of the Box-tree is by 

 seed or cuttings ; but as the latter will grow, surely no 

 other method will be employed by which to multiply it. 

 In the month of August or the beginning of September 

 select the last growth, 4 inches long ; trim off the 

 leaves from the lower half of the cuttings, and insert 

 them 2 inches asunder in a shady border of good soil ; 

 give water to settle the soil close to the cuttings, and 

 nothing more will be required to be done to them but 

 weeding for two years, at the end of which time trans- 

 plant them out at G or 9 inches apart in some more 

 open spot, where the young trees can develop them- 

 selves. 



The Kalmia (Ericacece). 



The Kalmia is named after a man. It is one of the 

 choicest evergreen flowering shrubs we possess. Those 

 who admire beauty of construction as well as delicacy 

 of colour should no doubt have a bed of them on the 

 lawn, however small, for there are few things to equal 

 a truss of Kalmia blossoms. It is quite a ladies' flower, 

 being of a most exquisite form, and comparable in tint 

 and substance to a wax flower. Peat soil is indis- 

 pensable for growing them. 



The propagation of this species is by seed and by 

 layers, and with care cuttings may also be struck. The 

 seed, which is very fine, should be sown on the surface 

 of seed-pans well drained and filled with pure peat 

 (not bog earth) — (see pp. 170 — 180)— of a fine sandy 

 nature. First fill the pans up to the rims within half 

 an inch, and press the soil in pretty firm. Make the 

 surface quite even and smooth with a small pot or a 

 little block of round wood sawn off a stake. Then 

 water the soil in the pan with a fine rose water-pot, so 

 as to soak it through, and let it stand over for an hour; 

 then sow the seed moderately thick over the surface, 

 and give it a very thin sprinkling of fine peat and 



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