MRS. SAGE'S MILE OP RHODODENDRONS 



feet in altitude, or the proximity of seashore or 

 mountains, would mean the difference between 

 success and failure. 



The fertility of the natural soil on the entire 

 area of this tract was leached out by the rains 

 washing down its steep slopes, leaving hardly 

 anything but sand. The rhododendron likes mel- 

 low, fertile soil and revels in decayed organic 

 matter. However, an overabundance of nitroge- 

 nous food, such as stable manure or certain chemical 

 fertilizers furnish, is liable to produce an excessive 

 growth of wood throughout the season. This 

 invites partial or entire destruction of the plant 

 during the following winter or spring. 



The rhododendron does not necessarily prefer 

 heavy clay soil, but often grows well in a sandy 

 one where shade and natural conditions abound. 

 In the exposed and dry conditions of Central 

 Park, however, a heavier soil than the very sandy 

 one found there is required. It was thought that 

 at least twenty-five per cent of clay should be 

 used, whereas in the sandy park soil only five 

 to ten per cent of clay existed. To this was added 

 a modicum of natural decayed organic matter 

 or humus, producing a soil containing about 

 twenty per cent of organic matter as compared 

 to five or six per cent in the natural soil where 

 the plantation was made. 



After the Sage rhododendrons were planted 

 somewhat deeply in this soil it was covered with 

 a ruulch of four or five inches of leaves because, 

 unlike most other hardwood shrubs, the rhodo- 



[95] 



