32 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



first half of the nineteenth century were Messrs. Standish 

 and Noble, of Bagshot, Surrey. They contributed to The 

 Journal of the Horticultural Society for 1850 what is called 

 a chapter in the history of hybrid Rhododendrons, which is 

 of sufficient interest to be reproduced here : 



" Every lover of flowers is charmed with the appearance 

 of R. arboreum. Its symmetrical trusses of the richest crim- 

 son are objects which attract the most ordinary observer, 

 and the connoisseur amongst plants is equally delighted 

 with them. But on account of the protection of a con- 

 servatory being necessary during a considerable portion 

 of the year to ensure the production of these beauties, 

 comparatively few who possess gardens can enjoy this 

 fine plant in perfection. From this circumstance an early 

 desire evinced itself in the gardening community to pro- 

 duce hybrids between it and the hardy American kinds, 

 but the results of such crosses, although much was accom- 

 plished, were not of a satisfactory nature. It is true many 

 beautiful hybrids were produced, among which we may 

 mention Russellianum and Altaclarense, presenting a rich- 

 ness of colour almost equal to their Indian parent, but they 

 did not inherit sufficiently the hardy constitution of the 

 Americans. Their tendency to bloom so early in the year, 

 generally from the latter part of February to that of April, 

 invariably exposed them to cutting winds and severe frosts. 

 The length of time required to bring them into a blooming 

 condition was a severe tax upon the patience of the culti- 

 vator, from ten to twelve years and even twenty years 

 elapsing before the anxious eye has been gratified with 

 a flower ; and often, when the production of flower-buds 

 had been effected, and the promise of abundant bloom 

 was about to be realised, an unfavourable season has 

 frustrated all hopes of seeing the flowers anything like 



