34 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



are extremely dwarf with variegated foliage. So dwarf are 

 they that many of them bore eight or ten flower-buds 

 when only from 4 to 6 inches high and four years old. 

 Flowers produced by these dwarfs were again fertilised by 

 their own pollen, and although seeds were produced and 

 these germinated, the plants could not be kept alive, but 

 after various durations of existence, from two to eighteen 

 months, they finally disappeared. One of the dwarfs above 

 named, which we have called Bride, fertilised with the 

 pollen from another distinct hybrid, has, however, produced 

 some very healthy seedlings. A remarkable example of the 

 varied nature which hybridising effects in the Rhododen- 

 dron is afforded in a hybrid raised from R. catawbiense and 

 a large yellow Ghent Azalea. The object was to raise 

 a hardy yellow hybrid, but in this we have been disap- 

 pointed as it has proved to be pink, and we have named 

 it Deception. It is an extraordinary hybrid ; we never 

 recollect meeting with so decided a ( sport/ It resembles 

 neither of its parents, being one of our best growers, with 

 foliage large and thick, of a bright green, and when in a 

 young state it has the appearance of being coated with 

 varnish. Another remarkable sport is a hybrid which we 

 have called Towardii, raised from R. catawbiense by Alta- 

 clarense, being a perfect giant in every respect. The 

 foliage is very fine, and the flowers, both individually and 

 in the truss, remarkably large, each forming a perfect cup. 

 We know no Rhododendron equal to it in size and per- 

 fection of flowers. 



" Having shown some of the effects of hybridising upon 

 the Rhododendron, and the various breeds produced, we 

 would beg to recommend all who intend practising this very 

 interesting branch of horticulture, no matter what class of 



