INTRODUCTION. XV 



limited to the past ten years, the results have been 

 so eminently satisfactory as to excite most sanguine 

 hopes for the future. 



Our collection of hybrid varieties of Catawbiense 

 Rhododendrons is probably larger than any in the 

 country, and is yearly largely increased for the pur- 

 pose of experimenting as to their hardiness. 



These plants are attractive at all seasons: in 

 flower they are magnificent, in foliage they excel 

 any evergreen. 



They can be grown as easily as lilacs, and bloom 

 quite as freely. 



In the arrangement of the following pages, Part I. 

 is purely cultural ; Part II. comprises a list of the 

 species of Rhododendron, and also a selection of 

 hybrid Oatawbiense varieties. To give a full list of 

 these latter would be almost impossible : some Eng- 

 lish catalogues' contain hundreds of varieties, and 

 often but very few of these will be common to any 

 two catalogues. 



We have in every case, where possible, referred to 

 a colored illustration of the flower, where one was 

 to be found in any book generally accessible ; and 

 have, in the list of books quoted, stated where in 

 this vicinity they could be found. 



Part III. treats of Azaleas, Kalmias, and other 

 plants which resemble Rhododendrons, and thrive 

 under similar culture. This list has been extended 



