PREPARATION OF THE SOIL. 7 



The situation of the bed chosen, the first labor is 

 excavation. If the sui-face is level, the soil should 

 be removed to a depth of four feet, at least ; if the 

 soil is a dry gravel, another foot may be taken out 

 advantageously. 



Be the shape of the bed what it may, the soil 

 should be picked out underneath the sides, as much 

 as can be done without letting down the surface, in 

 order that the soil around the sides may not be 

 drained by the surrounding gravel. If the soil is a 

 strong loam, and the subsoil clay, of such a nature 

 that the water will not run off, loose stones to the 

 depth of a few inches should be laid in the bottom 

 of the ■ bed, and a blind drain be laid to carry off 

 surplus water : this, however, will rarely be neces- 

 sary. The primary rule in Rhododendron culture is 

 to keep the bed alioays moist, never very wet, never 

 very dry ; for either extreme is injurious. 



The bed excavated, fill in old litter, pine needles, 

 leaves, or stubble, to the depth of two feet ; spread 

 this, letting it lay loosely ; the soil, in filling, will 

 press it down to a thickness of about six inches. 

 This will keep the bed from draining too rapidly, 

 and will in decaying furnish rich food for the roots, 

 when in the course of years they reach it. 



It must be borne in mind that the Rhododendron 

 is not a deep-rooting plant, — the upper soil, if kept 

 moist, will supply every need of the roots ; but it is 

 to insure this moisture that so deep a bed is recom- 

 mended. 



In our own experience it has been necessary, for 

 all our beds are dug out of loose gravel hills. 



