Plate 209. 



RHODODENDRON — " PRINCE LEOPOLD." 



In previous volumes we have figured many of the fine varieties of hybrid Rhododendra which 

 have been sent out from the firm of Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of King's Road, Chelsea. The 

 present subject is a portrait of one of the most recent Chelsea hybrids, the famous parents 

 being E. Lobbi and R. Princess Royal, the last-named plant being itself a cross between the 

 white R. jasminiflorum and the orange-scarlet R. javanicum. A first-class certificate was 

 awarded to this plant on August 4th last. Should R. Prince Leopold partake of the habit of 

 R. Princess Royal we may expect flowers from the plant all the year round. The latter may 

 be seen in flower in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, one truss being fully expanded 

 when another is in bud, a third just forming, and so on. Peat and silver sand form the best 

 compost for these plants, and they should not be shifted too frequently. 



Plate 210. 



HYACINTH—" SULTAN." 



Amongst the many fine new hyacinths exhibited by Messrs. Yeitch and Sons, of Chelsea, 

 during the last few years, no plant has equalled in beauty of colour and form the spike we 

 now figure. There is no better time for potting hyacinths intended for spring displays, 

 says Mr. Dean, than November. Generally these plants are too early potted, before the 

 bulbs have recovered from the effects of the long close confinement during the transit from 

 Holland to this country, and ere they have become thoroughly matured. That is why it is 

 that hyacinths should be laid on a shelf in a greenhouse until the embryo roots swell out in a 

 kind of circlet round the base of the bulbs ; and then, that stage reached, as soon as they 

 come in contact with the soil, they at once send forth stout roots and make strong growth. 

 Sometimes early -potted hyacinths rot owing to their being placed in contact with the soil too 

 soon after being imported ; and, after all, nothing is actually gained by such early potting, 

 except in cases where it is intended the bulbs shall be forced. Some of the exhibitors at our 

 large hyacinth shows pot them about the middle of October, and onwards ; but the greater 

 part of show hyacinths are placed in their pots in November. The necessity, however, should 

 be impressed upon cultivators of obtaining their bulbs early from the dealers ; not only 

 because the finest bulbs are invariably selected for the earliest orders, but also because 

 they can be better looked after preparatory to potting. Hyacinths should be placed singly 

 in 3 2 -sized pots, writes Mr. R. Dean, using a little drainage, and placing next what is 

 used for the purpose a layer of rotten dung. Some leaf-mould, yellow fibry loam, and spent 

 manure (that can be readily crumbled in the hand) should be mixed in equal proportions, 

 with a little white sand to keep it open, and in such a compost hyacinths cannot fail to grow 

 finely. 



