240 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



and in autumn change to shades of brown and yellow. Q. castansefolia 

 is a remarkably fine kind, with large polished green leaves. Of the 

 Turkey Oaks (Q. cerris), one named variegata should be grown in pre- 

 ference to any other silver-leaved variety. It has silvery-grey leaves. 

 Amongst the golden-leaved Oaks, Q. pedunculata concordia is the best 

 of its class. The leaves do not burn in the sun, and the colour is 

 maintained until autumn. Of the English Oak (Q. pedunculata) there 

 are several varieties of much beauty, that named purpurascens, or atro- 

 purpurea, is very showy, and of free growth. Q. filicifolia has deeply 

 cut leaves. Q. laurifolia, with its large leaves, creates a pretty effect 

 in autumn when its foliage is tinged with yellow and deep red. 



There are many evergreen Oaks, but the following may be taken as 

 representing a few of the best for general effect. Q. Hex (the Holm Oak) 

 is the most frequently planted. It forms a large dense head with long 

 spreading branches. There are several distinct varieties, all of which 

 are better for being often transplanted in a young state, as the roots are 

 not furnished with many fibres. The Cork Oak (Q. Suber) merits atten- 

 tion for its very rough bark and neat habit. It is quite a small tree. 

 Q. ballota (Sweet Oak) is slow in growth, and has rough greyish bark. 

 Q. cuspidata and Q. c. variegata, are ornamental, and quite hardy. 



Rhapiolepis japonica is a sturdy growing evergreen shrub for a 

 wall in localities where it is likely to suffer in the ordinary shrubbery in 

 severe winters. It is rather slow in growth, and the deep green leathery 

 leaves are set off in spring by terminal clusters of white sweet-scented 

 flowers, these being succeeded by round black berries. For forcing into 

 bloom for the greenhouse in early spring, this rather uncommon Japanese 

 shrub can be recommended. It flourishes in ordinary soil, and dislikes 

 stagnant water near its roots. 



Rhododendrons. Formerly Rhododendrons and Azaleas were kept 

 distinct, but they are now botanically classed under one heading. No 

 group of hardy shrubs is more varied in colour or more attractive at 

 flowering time than these, and as they succeed in nearly all well drained 

 soils which do not contain lime or chalk, there seems little reason why 

 the better kinds should not enter more largely into the decoration of 

 public parks and gardens. We like to see these shrubs in groups or 

 masses with a suitable background for the delicately tinted flowers, and 

 beyond the reach of cold winds, as the flowers of some, especially the 

 deciduous kinds, appear early, and are apt to suffer from late frosts. 

 The shrubs receive much benefit from a yearly top dressing of leaf- 

 mould, and while growth is in progress water should be supplied freely. 

 The deciduous sorts prefer partial shade to full sunlight. Rhododendrons 

 are easily propagated by seed, cuttings, layering, and grafting. As the 

 seed is very fine, be careful not to cover it too deeply, or the seedling will 

 be unable to make its way through the surface soil. It should be barely 

 covered with soil passed through a fine mesh sieve. For small quantities 

 shallow pans or boxes, placed under glass, are convenient, but where plants 

 are required in great numbers, slightly raised beds out of doors should 

 be resorted to. Shade the beds with Spruce or Fir boughs. It seems 

 strange that plants are not more frequently raised from cuttings. True, 



