RHODODENDRON. 207 



The rhododendron is propagated by layers 

 and suckers, but it is more generally raised 

 from its seed, which resembles small saw-dust. 

 If the seed be covered deep with earth it will 

 not vegetate, and it should be sown as soon 

 as possible after it is ripe, either in a shady 

 border, or in pots filled with fresh loam, and 

 very lightly covered with fine earth. The 

 pots are then to be plunged into the earth in 

 a shady border, and covered with hand-glasses 

 in hard frost ; but they should be constantly 

 uncovered in mild weather. When sown 

 early in the autumn they appear in the fol- 

 lowing spring, and will then require to be 

 shaded from the sun, and frequently refreshed 

 with water during the first summer. When 

 transplanted in the autumn the beds should 

 be covered with moss, to secure them from 

 the frosts of winter and the drought of 

 summer. 



The rhododendron is emblematical of the 

 dangers that lurk about the imperial purple. 



