RHODODENDRONS. 



131 



in a similar way with Camellias, as already noticed. They are sometimes 

 increased by layers ; but this latter mode is seldom employed, unless in 

 the case of the more ordinary sorts. 



Their treatment is altogether so much like that of Camellia, that any 

 separate directions upon that head here, might be deemed superfluous, 

 farther than that theyreqmre a peat soil, and cannot be over- watered while 

 making their young wood. This treatment agrees very nearly with that 

 they experience in their native places of growth, which is towards the 

 bottom of the Nepal mountains, where they are partially irrigated, in con- 

 sequence of the melting of the snow on the mountains above, which takes 

 place about the time they begin to shoot in spring, and lasts during the 

 period they are making their young wood. The remainder of the year, 

 they are comparatively dry. 



Of course, the proper stock on wMch.to graft or inarch the finer species, 

 such as arloreuniy arloreum flo. alburn^ nepalense, cinnamomeum, setosurrij 

 campanulatum, aromaticum, and the English hybrids, Russellianum, alta- 

 elerense^ Smithii, &c., are plants of the commoner sorts, potted and trained 

 on purpose. We ought here to observe, that grafted plants of the Rhodo- 

 dendrons never make so good plants as those originated from seeds ; and 

 if we are to give credit to the doctrine laid down by our enlightened 

 countryman, T. A. Knight, Esq., and others, trees have a stated period 

 of existence, and grafts, or cuttings taken from them, do not sm'\ive 

 much longer than the term allowed to the original plant ; we may, 

 therefore, expect to lose, ere long, some of the present fine varieties ; and 

 should pay regard to the production of new ones from seed. This is a 

 doctrine, however, which is denied by most of the continental writers, 

 as weU as by some of our own authors. Tons it appears .a matter of 

 very little consequence ; for, supposing eveiy Rhododendron which ex 

 isted in this countr\^ ten or a dozen years ago was totally lost, we 

 have hundreds of varieties originated from seeds T\ithin that period, 

 that are infinitely superior to any of them, for every purpose of orna- 

 ment, whether as decorations for the greenhouse, conservatory, or flower 

 garden. Seeds of the finer Nepal sorts, are from time to time brought 

 to this country, and the art of man is increasing new varieties every 

 year. 



MAGNOLIAS. 



The species of tliis genus that may be advantageously cultivated in the 



