3i6 Editors Letter- Box. 



L. I. T., Worcester, Mass. — We do not believe in applying manure to rho- 

 dodendrons and azaleas. If the bed is properly made, the plants will not need 

 it ; and, if the soil is not suitable, no manure will give them vigor. The best 

 plan is to give a top-dressing of oak-leaves (or those of any deciduous tree) in 

 the autumn ; and, in early spring, fork these in, if it can be done without disturb- 

 ing the roots ; or, better still, throw a light sprinkling of loam over them to pre- 

 vent them from blowing away. The leaves will soon decompose, and be all the 

 manure the plants will need. 



We are aware we differ in opinion from one of our most successful cultiva- 

 tors, whoappHes well-rotted stable-manure to his rhododendrons ; but we have yet 

 to see its superiority to the simple dressing of oak- leaves. In a bed properly pre- 

 pared with loam, leaf mould, and sand, rhododendrons and azaleas thrive for 

 many years without any renewal of soil : and, unless one is willing to prepare 

 a proper bed, it is better not to attempt to grow these plants ; for they never give 

 satisfaction if grown in common garden-soil. 



Idem. — You need not cover your rhododendrons to protect them from the 

 cold : it is the winter's sun that injures them. The "mildew and discoloration " 

 may have been caused by your covering the plants too thickly. The best way 

 to protect rhododendrons is to stick cedar or other evergreen boughs among 

 them late in November, planting the butts in the ground : they will freeze in, and 

 shade the plants from the sun. This should be done each winter until the plants 

 are well established ; then they will need no protection. 



I. B. H., Taylorsville. — We have several letters asking for rules of bulb- 

 culture. The October number will probably give you the information you need. 

 If that is not sufficient, send to the office of "The Journal of Horticulture" for 

 Rand's " Book of Bulbs," which contains very minute cultural directions. The 

 publishers will send you a list of agricultural books on application. 



W. D. D., Andover, Mass. — Keep your dahlias in a frost-proof cellar, in dry 

 sand or charcoal-dust. Do not water them, or allow the temperature to rise 

 much higher than forty-five degrees. Salvia patens will keep in the same way. 

 There is no such volume published. Experience as to hardiness must be the 

 best teacher. 



I. L. G., Boston. — You can grow Wisteria in the city without protection: 

 however, it is well to mat it up a little in the winter. 



A. V. G., Archbald, Penn. — What numbers of Rogers's hybrids can you 

 recommend from your own experience as the earliest and best in quahty? — We 

 have found 3, 4, 9, 19, 41, and 43 to be among the earliest and best of all the 

 numbers. Mr. Rogers considers the 15 the best; but we do not agree with him. 

 If we were to select a single variety from the black ones, we should take No. 41. 



Mr. Knox of Pittsburg writes us that he regards Nos. 3, 4, and 19 as the 

 most valuable. 



