and Flowering of the Rhododendron. 35 



any peat earth whatever ; provided the ground has been pro- 

 perly prepared, by trenching and breaking of the surface, so 

 that all the grass and vegetable matter be properly mixed. I 

 deprecate the too general practice of pitting and planting with- 

 out the ground being previously well trenched. It may be 

 proper to state, that the .Rhododendron is to be seen growing 

 here very luxuriantly, in banks of very strong clay : in this case, 

 after the ground had been well trenched and broken, I had pits 

 made according to the size of the plants, and a portion of peat 

 earth placed under and around each plant (say, from one to two 

 barrowfuls, according to the size of the plant). Notwithstand- 

 ing my having filled the pits with peat earth, I am satisfied that 

 rhododendrons, and other American plants of the same tribe, 

 usually grown in peat, will grow and thrive even in clay, and 

 perfectly well in loam, if it be trenched, and a portion of leaf 

 mould and of the scrapings off roads be mixed with it ; the plants 

 being planted in the neighbourhood of large trees, so as to be 

 benefited by their shade. I have planted American shrubs with 

 success at all seasons, but prefer from the second week of Au- 

 gust to the end of December ; always taking advantage of a mild 

 day, and always giving, after the planting, a good supply of 

 water. I would add, that the same treatment that I have recom- 

 mended for rhododendrons is here applied to kalmias, azaleas, 

 andromedas, vacciniums, and cistuses : and to all with an equally 

 satisfactory result. 



I would recommend all, who may wish to cultivate the .Rho- 

 dodendron ponticum extensively, to provide their stock of plants 

 by raising them from seeds. The mode is a cheap one ; and, 

 besides the number of the plants which may be obtained by it, 

 a considerable variety of kinds is acquired. In those which I 

 have reared, the variety is almost endless, as to the shape, size, 

 and colour, both of the leaves and flowers, particularly of the 

 latter. The seeds should be sown in February, upon a gentle 

 hot-bed. 



In offering the above observations, I disclaim all notion of 

 originality : all I can say is, that I have attempted to give a 

 detailed account of the method practised here. Should any 

 admirers of these beautiful evergreens feel inclined to adopt the 

 practice which I have endeavoured to describe, I can, with con- 

 fidence, assure them, that it will be found an economical mode of 

 obtaining fine healthy flowering plants. 



I am, Sir, yours, &c. 



John Gow. 

 Tulliallan Gardens, Dec. 13. 1833. 



d 2 



