PARK AND CEMETCRY, 
T9 
RHODODENDRON MAXIMUM AND KALMIA 
LATIFOLIA. 
Within the last few years the extensive work of con- 
struction going on in parks and private estates with the 
general desire for immediate effects, has served to 
demonstrate the advisability of planting collected plants 
of Great Laurels and Mountain T.aurels. 
In keeping with the sensitiveness of the Ericacete 
these plants are very particular as to soil and moisture, 
and in general may be said to be unadapted to soils that 
contain much lime or iron, although sometimes naturally 
found on soil containing a large per cent of lime. They 
prefer and almost demand a location where the lOOts 
may always reach moisture, a soil of a peaty and sandy 
nature and thorough drainage. Shade is not harmfub 
neither is it essential, but it is well endured. 
Rhododendron maximum grows in low woods, on 
steep and lodging hillsides, usually predominating on 
the north side and along the small streams of the 
mountains and vales. It ranges from Nova .Scotia 
where it is found sparsely, through the Berkshire hills of 
New' England where it is more abundant, with a southern 
outcrop in Rhode Island, thence very rare until the 
Adirondacks, Catskills and Pennsylvania Alleghenies are 
reached, when in the last vicinity it occurs in great pro- 
fusion. It follows the Alleghenies southward to Georgia 
and extends across Pennsylvania to Ohio. 
Ralmia latifolia ranges from New Brunswick west- 
ward to Ontario and southward, especially along the 
Alleghenies to Florida and Louisiana, It is usually 
found on dry stony hillsides, and in the south in moist 
sandy locations. It is most abundant along the moun- 
tain sides from New York to Georgia, especially in 
Virginia. 
Their evergreen quality, gorgeousness and profusion 
of flowers, tempt their use in large quantities. Their 
domestic abundance and cheapness preclude their im- 
portation on a commercial basis. It has been ques- 
tioned whether they could be collected and transplanted 
wdth a degree of success sufficient to warrant such 
method of procurement. Sufficient tests have now been 
made to declare it entirely feasible and exceptionally 
cheap. In the case of both of these plants success 
attends transplanting collected stock only when dry and 
planted with good-sized balls of earth attached to their 
roots. Aside from digging, the selections of plants is 
most important. Those growing in the open fields in 
turfy and well drained loam are by far the best. They 
should have been growing in isolated positions and 
burnt over within the last two years before collecting. 
Such burning destroys all interfering young tree and 
shrub growth and herbs, and serves to cut back as it 
were the Rhododendrons and Kalmias, causing them to 
push out numerous and strong shoots from the roots. 
Within two years after burning the plants will have 
recuperated to the extent of having from ten to forty 
stems starting from the ground; they will be low, com- 
pact and densely clothed with foliage on the top and all 
sides down to the ground. In such condition they are 
prime plants for collecting. If grown in groups, clumps 
or masses they “draw,” look unsightly when separated. 
and, if transplanting is to be successful, they must be 
cut back about one-third, and even then their welfare 
is not assured. If isolated plants have been burnt over 
and grow in open situations in turfy loam all sizes from 
ten inches to six feet can be dug and transplanted with 
success. 
In planting, the drainage of the ground in their new 
locations should be perfect, and, if low lying and moist, 
with open and porous soil, peat should be provided for 
their reception. Pure peat mixed with one-quarter of 
sharp, clean river sand is admirable, or a mixture of 
fibrous loam and peat in equal parts with one-quarter 
its bulk of sand is good. 
In planting, a hole should be dug large enough to 
receive the ball of earth and roots of the plants with- 
out crowding, but rather to allow of the roots being 
spread out in a natural position; the plant should be set 
at the same depth at which it was previously growing; 
soil is to be worked in among the hollows of the ball 
and among the roots and then thoroughly formed. All 
the soil should then be again thoroughly tamped by 
treading with the heels. At the time of planting the 
soil on the roots, and that in which the plants are to be 
planted, should be in a friably moist state as nearly 
equal to each other as to moisture as possible. After 
planting a mulch of straw, leaves, long manure, hay or 
other moisture retaining material should be spread over 
the entire soil area surrounding the plants. Such a 
mulch should be evenly spread to a depth of from six 
to eight inches, and if light and loose even more, but if 
of a nature apt to ferment preferably less. That of an 
open and loose nature is best as allowing the air free 
access to the roots. Water should not be applied until 
two or three days after planting, and then the entire 
volume of soil should be thoroughly saturated. This 
operation is to be repeated only when the plants show 
signs of drouth. 
Various sizes can be handled with success — but 
six feet tall is about the limit — the best considering 
effectiveness, least per cent of loss and easiest estab- 
lished vary from one to four feet. If all of one size 
two and a half feet will be best. The principal cost of 
collected plants is involved in freight charges and 
teaming to the cars. 
Plants collected in sandy soil usually lose all the 
earth from around their roots during transportation, 
and although such plants could be severely cut back 
and grown in nursery rows for a season for the purpose 
of establishing them, they are upon the whole unsatis- 
factory. Fair to good specimens, two to four feet, are 
offered at a ridiculously low rate, but the eventual cost 
balanced from the larger proportion of those dying »vith 
those that live suggest their use as being of doubtful 
economy. 
Recalling that the commercial use of collected 
plants on a large scale has developed within the past 
five years, it is a matter of national gratification to 
know that with characteristic American versatility men 
who are able to adapt themselves to the times, quickly 
arise and bring tangible results with a rapidity and 
cheapness that is astonishing. To-day the collecting 
