MANURING. 13 



Had time to dry, and will not require renewal oftener 

 than once in three years. 



This mulching of tan seems particularly adapted 

 to the plant : it is not infrequent for branches which 

 chance to be bent down and covered with the tan 

 to strike root ; and we have many plants from such 

 accidental layers. 



Where tan cannot be procured, pine needles are 

 the best mulch. These should be spread about two 

 inches deep, and will last undecayed for years. 



Oak leaves, or leaves of other deciduous trees, may 

 be used where nothing better can be obtained ; but 

 they are objectionable, because they blow away, and 

 give the bed and its surroundings a slovenly, ill-kept 

 appearance. 



Sawdust is too fine and close, preventing the access 

 of air to the roots, which (as far as we can judge 

 from our own experience), is of vital importance to 

 Rhododendrons. 



The coarse chippings from a boring machine 

 would probably serve a good purpose if nothing 

 better can be obtained. Meadow hay and litter are 

 objectionable, as containing seeds of weeds and 

 grasses, and forming a fermenting, decaying mass, 

 injurious to the roots of the plants. 



MANURING. 



If the bed has been carefully prepared as we have 

 directed, it will need no manuring. 



Every thing of a stimulating, heating nature is 

 injurious. 



