34 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 
are extremely dwarf with variegated foliage. So dwarf are 
they that many of them bore eight or ten flower-buds 
when only from 4 to 6 inches high and four years old. 
Flowers produced by these dwarfs were again fertilised by 
their own pollen, and although seeds were produced and 
these germinated, the plants could not be kept alive, but 
after various durations of existence, from two to eighteen 
months, they finally disappeared. One of the dwarfs above 
named, which we have called Bride, fertilised with the 
pollen from another distinct hybrid, has, however, produced 
some very healthy seedlings. A remarkable example of the 
varied nature which hybridising effects in the Rhododen- 
dron is afforded in a hybrid raised from R. catawhiense and 
a large yellow Ghent Azalea. The object was to raise 
a hardy yellow hybrid, but in this we have been disap- 
pointed as it has proved to be pink, and we have named 
it Deception. It is an extraordinary hybrid ; we never 
recollect meeting with so decided a ^ sport.' It resembles 
neither of its parents, being one of our best growers, with 
foliage large and thick, of a bright green, and when in a 
young state it has the appearance of being coated with 
varnish. Another remarkable sport is a hybrid which we 
have called Towardii, raised from R, catawhiense by Alta- 
clarense, being a perfect giant in every respect. The 
foliage is very fine, and the flowers, both individually and 
in the truss, remarkably large, each forming a perfect cup. 
We know no Rhododendron equal to it in size and per- 
fection of flowers. 
Having shown some of the effects of hybridising upon 
the Rhododendron, and the various breeds produced, we 
would beg to recommend all who intend practising this very 
interesting branch of horticulture, no matter what class of 
