268 ARISTOCRATS OF THE GARDEN 



hybrids. Some, like the famous house of Waterer, 

 never lost sight of the invaluable quality of hardiness 

 possessed by R. catawbiense and it is these men that 

 we must thank for such blessings as we possess among 

 the present-day race. Latterly the species have been 

 more favored for breeding in England; and in Corn- 

 wall, since the advent of a host of new ones from China, 

 Rhododendrons may be seen in bloom in every month 

 of the year. 



Such are the bald outlines of the Rhododendron 

 cult in England, and for our purpose there is no 

 necessity to go more deeply into the matter. It lays 

 before us the origin of the present-day race and points 

 clearly to the cause of its lack of hardiness in the 

 severe climate of New England. 



Let us now take stock of the field in general. 

 The regions where Rhododendrons hardy in Great 

 Britain grow naturally have been fairly well explored. 

 Not all the species have been brought into culti- 

 vation, but to-day we are in a position to take a com- 

 prehensive view of the whole situation; and, insofar 

 as the colder parts of this country are concerned, 

 certain fundamental facts may be deduced. And it is 

 on these bedrock facts that we must rely and build if 

 we are to obtain the object desired. 



Rhododendrons are found wild in the moist tem- 



