30 THE RHODODENDRON. 



masses of flowers during the early spring months. 

 We know of no house of this kind, but one could 

 be readily constructed at small expense. 



It should be low, span-roofed ; the sashes arranged 

 to take off in summer, and shutters provided for 

 covering the roof in early winter. The heating ap- 

 paratus need not be very powerful, for the most that 

 would be required would be to keep out the frost. 

 The plants should be planted out in beds of prepared 

 soil, and, by taking off the sashes, allowed to perfect 

 their growth and mature their buds in the open air. 

 When freezing weather approaches, the sashes should 

 be replaced ; and during the short days the house 

 should be kept only a little above the freezing point. 

 As the days lengthen, and the sun gains more power, 

 more heat may be given, which will soon start the 

 flower-buds. 



According to the heat given, the plants will 

 bloom from March to May, or by a selection of 

 kinds a continuous bloom may be obtained. Such 

 treatment would suit all the ponticum and the more 

 tender Catawbiense hybrids : many of the Sikkim 

 varieties would thrive and bloom, and some of the 

 more tender species of other American plants might 

 be added for variety. The tropical kinds, of course, 

 require stove heat; but they are hardly numerous 

 enough to warrant the erection of a special house. 



Indoor culture is, in almost every respect, iden- 

 tical with garden culture, only it requires more care 

 in watering, and air should be freely given on all 

 occasions. 



Such a house of plants in bloom would be a mag- 



