254 ARISTOCRATS OF THE GARDEN 



lean nurserymen are willing to devote the time and 

 trouble necessary to raise these plants from seeds, the 

 only successful way in which they can be propagated. 

 In the absence of these plants and in ignorance 

 of their value and beauty, resource is made to the so- 

 called Ghent Azaleas a race of enchanting hybrids, 

 but short lived, indifferently hardy, and not suited 

 to the climate of New England. As pot plants for 

 forcing purposes it is all very well to import them 

 from Europe by the shipload, but for the embellish- 

 ment of the outdoor garden in the colder parts of this 

 country they cannot be recommended. Much may 

 be learnt from history in the matter of plants as in 

 that of mankind, and the outlines of the origin of 

 these so-called Ghent Azaleas are instructive. In 1738, 

 Peter Collinson introduced from this country into 

 England, R. nudiflorum, R. viscosum, and JR. calendu- 

 laceum; in 1793, R. luteum was introduced from the 

 region bordering the Black Sea. This Pontus Azalea 

 has fragrant, bright yellow flowers each two inches 

 across and its value as a garden plant was soon recog- 

 nized. In a few years a great number of hybrids 

 between it and its American relatives were raised in 

 England. The work was soon taken up in Ghent, 

 first by a baker named Mortier and afterward by 

 various nurserymen of whom Van Houtte was the 



