22 + 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S G&IDE. 



grafting. The seed is small, and more than ordinary care has to be exercised to induce 

 successful germination. Fill well-drained pots or shallow pans with fine sandy peat, 

 surfacing with a layer of very finely sifted peat and sand, making smooth and 

 firm. Give a gentle watering, a few hours later sowing the seed, pressing it in and 

 covering very lightly with silver sand. Place in moist, gentle heat, cover with squares 



of glass, and shade heavily. 

 The soil must be kept con- 

 stantly moist by means of 

 partial immersion of the pot 

 in a tub or tank of tepid 

 water, rather than risk dis- 

 turbing the seed by applying 

 water to the surface of the 

 soil. When the seedlings 

 appear, gradually expose 

 them to the light and air. 

 Immediately they are large 

 enough to move, take up 

 carefully and insert an inch 

 or two apart, in pans of soil 

 prepared as for seed-sowing, 

 and keep them close, warm, 

 and shaded, till well estab- 

 lished, when more light and 

 air are necessary. From the 

 pans move the young freely 

 growing plants into small 



pots, and return them to warmer quarters for a time, subsequently keeping them 

 growing in gentle heat. 



Cuttings should be made of firm young shoots r inserted in sandy peat, and kept close 

 and shaded in a temperature of 45° to 55°, till they have eallused, when an increase of 10° 

 will hasten root formation. These rhododendrons may also be layered successfully. In 

 either September or March, select well-placed young firm wood, notch this at places, 

 and peg down firmly in a bed of sandy peat. Eoots will form slowly at the notched, 



Fig. 103. Rhododendron.— Souvenir de J. H. Mangles. 



