436 Rhododendrons cultivated at Dysart House, 



time, through its being showery, and the rain washing it down 

 to the roots, the bushes are so astonishingly improved that no one 

 could suppose them the same naked starved trees. I have been 

 perfectly convinced now, in many instances, that if either soot or 

 wood ashes get any way damp, part of their properties or vir- 

 tues is lost ; for instance, if smelled to when fresh, the mixture 

 will make the nose twinge, which it will not do after being kept 

 in a damp place, although to all appearance it is not damp. 



It is a curious fact that in the course of years I should not 

 have given it a more serious consideration, and discovered the 

 cause before the lapse of a quarter of a century. No doubt but 

 many things get lost sight of, particularly different manures, 

 through their not happening to be properly applied. Now I have 

 discovered the cause, I can judge quite as easily by the feel of 

 soot and ashes, as I could by the smell. Soot alone will destroy 

 the caterpillars ; but, by mixing wood ashes with it, the mixture 

 does not fly about so much and get wasted, and it adheres much 

 better to the trees. Wood ashes, when of their full strength, 

 and used in damp weather, when they can adhere to the tree, 

 will kill and clean any kind of moss or of lichen, and is the only 

 article I ever use now for that purpose. 



Bicton Gardens, June 1, 1843. 



Art. IX. List of Species and Varieties of Rhododendron cultivated 

 at Dysart House, with Remarks on their Management. By John 

 Blair, Gardener there. 



As suggested by you, I now forward you a list of the different varieties of 

 rhododendrons grown here, with their times of flowering ; and, in order to 

 make the list as useful as possible, I beg leave to make a few observations 

 explanatory of the climate, locality, and soil, in which these varieties are 

 grown. 



The flower-garden here, the property of the Earl of Rosslyn, is situated 

 close by the sea, standing about 53 ft. above its ordinary level, and sloping 

 towards the south-east. From its proximity to the sea, the frost is not so 

 severe as it would be further inland ; the thermometer being seldom or never 

 below 10° in the most severe winters (1837-8), from its southerly exposure, 

 and ranging from 80° in the shade to 120° (in 184'2) out of it. However, 

 the south-east winds need to be guarded against, not only from the intensity 

 of their cold, but also from their violence. 



Portugal laurels on the exposed side, and common hurdles interwoven 

 with spruce fir branches on the other sides, form an excellent protection. 

 The finest of these varieties grow about 212 ft. from high-water mark; while 

 some of the more common kinds grow within 12 ft., and not 3 ft. above its 

 level, with little or no shelter. The soil used in the garden is a mixture of 

 peat earth and sand, not broken very small ; the depth varying from 2 ft. to 

 4 ft., accoi'ding to the size of the plant. However, 1 have been in the custom 

 of planting them, after they have grown to a considerable size, in the woods, 

 where they thrive uncommonly well. They form an excellent underwood, 

 more particularly the R. catawbiense var., which is very hardy, and is more 

 able to stand the drip of trees than the other varieties. The natural soil in 



