12S 



130 



Cai 



MISCELLANEOUS PLA?;TS, THAT MAY BE CULTIVATED IN 

 THE CAMEI>LIA HOUSE. 



RHODODEXDROXS. 



We have abeady stated, that the Camellia house is a very proper habita- 

 tion for the Nepal Rhododendrons, and also for such hybrids of that genus 

 as have been originated by art, and are too dehcate to stand in the flower 

 gai'den, on account of the early season of their flowering. It is neces- 

 sary^ that we should say sometMng on their cultivation and propagation. 



The Rhododendron seeds freely, and is, from that natural mode of in- 

 crease, readily obtained. The Seeds should be sown as soon after they aie 

 gathered as possible, in pots, previously well drained, and filled with peat 

 to within an inch of the top, which latter space should be filled ^ith very- 

 fine sifted peat, and the surface made quite smooth and level, upon which 

 the seeds are to be sown, but not covered with mould, as they are so very 

 small, that they are hable to be buiied too deep. But to prevent their 

 bemg washed off in the process of watering, and also to shade them from 

 the sun and au*, a thin layer of fine moss should be laid over them. The 

 pots should be placed in. a cool, shaded place, where the atmosphere will 

 be as uniform as possible around them, for they are very impatient of ex- 

 treme drought, damp, or sudden changes. For greater secmity, they may 

 be covered with bell or hand glasses. ^Mien the young plants are about 

 an inch high, they should be potted into small pots ; two, three, or more 

 plants in each, and placed as close to the edge of the pot as possible, and 

 gradually exposed to the air, until they can stand it without protection. 

 After sowing, and during summer, a very proper situation for seedling pots 

 of Rhododendrons, would be under the shelter of some large spreading 

 evergreen ; and during winter, upon a shelf in the CameUia house, close to 

 the glass, or in a cold frame, or pit, free from damp, and from which frost 

 is excluded. 



Rhododendrons are easily increased by grafting, and also by inarching 



