440 THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



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one of the most meritorious of the section. Being free in 

 growth, and of excellent habit, it is well adapted for pleasure- 

 grounds. The leaves are large, and broadly-margined with white. 



Kalmia. — Although the genus is not a large one, comprising 

 only about half a dozen species, it is specially valuable where 

 dwarf-growing shrubs are required. Generally, it is supposed that 

 peaty soil is essential, but it has been proved that these shrubs 

 are a success when grown in loam, especially if a quantity of 

 leaf-mould has been incorporated with it ; soil containing lime 

 and chalk is injurious to them. Kalmias are well adapted 

 for forcing into blossom in winter and early spring. For this 

 purpose plants may be potted up in the autumn and taken 

 into heat in batches according to the requirements of the 

 place. After flowering, they should be placed in a gentle heat 

 to encourage new growths, and the syringe used freely. Later 

 on they should be hardened off and planted out on a warm 

 sunny border to ripen the wood properly. 



The first kind to flower in the open air is K. glaiica (Swamp 

 Laurel), a dwarf-growing shrub rarely seen more than i8in. to 

 2ft. high. It is a useful front-line plant in the shrubbery, and 

 its great clusters of bright pink flowers are borne in April. The 

 linear lanceolate leaves are glossy green above and glaucous 

 green beneath. K. latifolia (American Mountain Laurel) (Fig. 279) 

 is one of the most charming of dwarf-flowering shrubs, and when 

 planted in masses produces a lovely picture. It has broad 

 shining green leaves, and terminal clusters of pale rose flowers, 

 changing to white with age. It is also attractive for its foliage 

 alone. K. I. viyrtifolia has small Myrtle-like leaves and smaller 

 flowers than the type, but is very effective. K. angustifolia (Sheep 

 Laurel) grows less than 3ft. high, and bears dark red flowers 

 freely in May and June. K. a. ovata, K. a. rubra, and K. a. 

 rosea are attractive and easily grown. 



Laurus nobilis (Sweet Bay) may be grown either as a pyramid 

 or standard, delighting in rich soil, and requiring good drainage, as 

 it soon wears a sickly appearance if water lodges about the roots. 

 A position screened from east winds is advisable. It is a fine 

 tree for growing in pots and tubs for placing in vestibules, halls, 

 and cool conservatories in winter. The lanceolate aromatic leaves 

 are of a rich polished green. There are about half a dozen 

 varieties, differing in size, form, and colour of the leaves, but 

 none are of greater decorative value than the type. 



Ledums are attractive shrubs of neat growth, quite hardy, and 

 as they flower early are valuable for both forcing and room- 

 decoration during winter, as well as for adding variety to the 

 shrubbery-border in April and May, when their growths are crowned 

 with small flowers. Although they succeed in loamy soil, they 

 give the best results when planted in one mixed with peat and 



