328 Haidy Rhododendrons, and their Culture. 



and as freely as a willow, wherever a lilac will (unless limestone-soil should 

 prove an exception) ; require no shade, and no extra preparation beyond a 

 good garden-soil. I am sure that these varieties cannot be fairly planted 

 without giving their owner entire satisfaction, and such satisfaction as no 

 other plant can give \ for no other plant possesses a tithe of their attrac- 

 tiveness both of foliage and flower. These varieties are, Album elcgans, 

 Album gra7idiflonim^ B/color, Cclestinum, Cand/iliss/murn, Everesfianuni, 

 Grandiflorum, Bertie Parsons, Fm'pureum elgans, Purpurcum crispum, 

 Roscum supcrbum, Roseum elegans. 



Some of these are our own seedlings, and others are European sorts 

 which are little cultivated there now. Grandifiorum, for instance, one of our 

 best varieties, and originally from Europe, is scarcely known there now ; 

 and, during a recent visit to the largest establishments in England and Bel- 

 gium, we could not find it. We have imported the Grandiflorum of their 

 catalogues, but find it very different from that known to us as so valuable. 



All these things prove how difficult it is for Americans to rely upon for- 

 eign sorts. I know that several gentlemen have been successful with im- 

 ported rhododendrons by planting in the shade and giving great care ; but 

 I am sure the general experience has been as I have stated. 



I am certain of one thing, — - that all who try either of the above varieties 

 grown in this country will find the rhododendron to be the most superb 

 plant and flower they have ever known. If such will come to Flushing in 

 June, I shall be pleased to show them the effect produced by over a hundred 

 thousand of such plants. 



Before leaving rhododendrons, I would like to reiterate, that they need no 

 special culture. Foreign gardeners will often insist that they need peat or 

 other special soil. We plant, as we do all shrubs, in good garden-soil with- 

 out peat ; and their thriftiness there is proof of their adaptation. 



Above all, do not plant them in the shade. They will not flower well 

 there. Like all other plants, they need the sun. 



The shade and peat fallacies have been great bars to successful rhodo- 

 dendron-culture. To obtain bloom the next year, or even good growth, it 

 is absolutely essential to cut off the seed-vessels immediately after bloom- 

 ing. 



I notice that one of your quotations from an English magazine expresses 



