X PREFACE TO THE FOUKTH EDITION. 



A great impetus was given to rhododendron 

 culture by the magnificent exhibition made by H. 

 Holhs Hunnewell, Esq., on Boston Common in 

 June, 1878. For those who were fortunate 

 enough to see the masses of azaleas and rhododen- 

 drons then exhibited, no description will be neces- 

 sar}', and to others, we cannot give an idea of the 

 beauty of the flowers and the perfection of the ar- 

 rangement. The plants were removed from the 

 garden, carted to Boston Common, f>lanted in 

 masses, remained there until out of bloom, were 

 replanted at Wellesley, and when, in the following 

 autumn, we examined them, we could nut distinguish 

 those which had been removed, from those which 

 had iiowered where they had grown for years.. 



The success of this first American exhibition of 

 rliododendrons leads us to the conclusion that the 

 plants are of far easier management .than we had 

 supposed, and possess a tenacity of life superior to 

 most garden shrubs. 



A collection of rhododendrons is still expensive ; 

 the unjust and oppressive duty is still imposed on 

 importations, and although plants are cheap in 

 England, the addition of freight and duty to first 

 cost, makes them ex]3ensive here. It is, however, 

 far better to buy a few good sized plants of hardy 

 varieties, than many small' plants; the former give 

 immediate result.s, and are just as easily and safely 

 transplanted. 



