HTBEIDIZATION. 37 



they attain some size. They should then be " pricked 

 off" in pans or boxes, and grown in frames, with 

 plenty of air in good weather, until large enough to 

 be planted out. 



In its native haunts the Rhododendron seeds very 

 freely, and young plants are readily obtained. 



In a recent journey through the Alleghany Moun- 

 tains, we saw acres of Rhododendrons of the species 

 Cataiobiense and maximum. On one mountain side, 

 where a stream ran along the road, myriads of plants 

 had sprung up. They were of all sizes, from the 

 tiniest plant to large trees ; and we pulled up hun- 

 dreds of nice well-rooted plants, which reached home 

 in good condition. 



In many places we found seedling Rhododendrons, 

 Kalmias, and Epigsea rooting in the same cleft of 

 the rock, and often so firmly it was impossible to 

 dislodge them without destroying the plants. 



HYBRIDIZATION 



Has been but little attempted in this country. 

 Some few good seedlings have been produced, but 

 usually from chance seed. 



The process is very simple, being only to fertilize 

 a fine flower with the pollen of another, having pre- 

 viously removed the anthers of the female parent. 



It is a good rule to make the hardier plant the 

 female. 



After fertilization, protect the fertilized flower by 

 a gauze covering until it fades, and carefully gather 

 the ripened seed. 



