14 Rhododendrons. 



to two feet : these, under the weight of the loam, will press down to less 

 than six inches, and form an admirable bottom. If these cannot be 

 obtained, meadow-hay would probably ansv/er a similar purpose. Upon 

 these throw the old sods taken from the surface of the bed. 



The soil of which the bed should be composed is a mixture of one part 

 peat or well-rotted leaf-mould, one part rich loam, and one part sharp sand. 

 Let these be thoroughly incorporated, and the bed filled in at the upper 

 stakes level with the former brow of the hill, and so outward forming a 

 level plateau on top of the gravel foundation. We then have about three 

 feet or more of prepared soil resting upon a six-inch layer of leaves and 

 old sods. The sides should then be sodded on a long slope, using thick, 

 heavy sods ; and, that there may be less chance of their breaking away, 

 they should be pinned to the banking. 



The sodding may, however, be delayed till spring ; and, indeed, the whole 

 work may be performed in April ; though it is better for the bed to settle 

 all winter, as it is in better order for spring-planting. About the middle 

 of April, the whole bed should be well spaded over preparatory to setting 

 the plants. 



A word about plants. We have always obtained ours from England, send- 

 ing the order about Christmas, and receiving the plants, by steamer, about 

 the first of May ; but we have heard there are some fine sale collections 

 in this country. Though we have never suffered any serious loss in impor- 

 tation, there is probably less risk in ordering from a home-nursery; and it 

 may prove more profitable, even if the first cost is twice or thrice as great. 



In importations, the pound must be calculated at ten dollars, to cover 

 the heavy steamer-freightage, the foreign exchange, and the unreasonable 

 duty of thirty per cent in gold levied upon all imported plants. In this 

 connection we may add, that the attention of Congress should be asked to 

 repeal a duty, the effect of which amounts almost to a prohibition of importa- 

 tion, and which is levied upon articles, the introduction of which is a direct 

 benefit to the horticultural interests of the country. 



The plants, being obtained, should be set about one foot apart, or so that 

 the foliage just touches, that the first year they may shade the ground. As 

 soon as planted, a top-dressing, or rather mulch of two inches of tan, should 

 be spiead over the whole surface of the bed. If the summer is very dry, 



