AUGUST. 
249 
As a plant for producing cover for game R. ponticum has no equal; for 
while nothing besides seems too bitter or astringent in the bark of trees for 
the natural order “ Rodentia^" (whose propensities for gnawing and 
biting are well known to our foresters) the Pontic Rhododendron they 
do not like—for what reason I know not; but while every other plant 
and tree in the woods is often frightfully gnawed, and sometimes down¬ 
right destroyed, by the bark being eaten off all round, this plant 
remains untouched; and as it easily lends itself to clothe the under¬ 
surface of woods, it should be generally employed for this purpose. 
Another valuable property this plant possesses for an underwood is this 
—that it will grow and form a good cover without obstructing the view 
of the stems of the trees from the walks or rides ; an important point 
—as we often see the interior of woods and the trunks of their 
inmates obstructed from the view by the growth of the underwood, 
which is not the case when Rhododendrons are planted: and even 
supposing they do get up here and there, and show themselves off 
among their patrons—what gives such a charm to woodland scenery as 
the various shades of their rich purple flowers, mixing with the green 
'forest foliage, in June? 
The exhibitions of American plants, as seen about London, give us 
but a small idea of what they really are when growing in their natural 
luxuriance—beautiful as such exhibitions are, and valuable as showing 
the new garden kinds. To get a knowledge of the effect produced 
by the common varieties, when growing wild, a drive through the- 
magnificent woods on Lord Carnarvon’s demesne at Highclerc should 
be taken, when their merits will be appreciated on the spot. Or, 
let sceptical individuals pay a visit to Tottenham Park, the Marquis of 
Aylesbury’s seat near Marlborough, and our good friend, Mr. Burn, 
shall take them to the end of the conservatory, and allow them to feast 
their eyes on the most beautiful bank in the kingdom, planted by his 
own hands, and extending far away under the shade of the magnificent 
Beech, forming a mass of gorgeous bloom in the season without an 
equal, and worth going a hundred miles to see. 
When practicable, the ground intended for Rhododendrons should be 
trenched and well broken up before planting ; strong soils, approaching 
to clays, will be the better for some kind of refuse to be mixed with it. 
I have found the long Grass, Moss, and decayed leaves (usually found 
in woods) an excellent material to mix with the soil for them, as the roots 
will follow this material in the interstices formed by its decay, and cling to 
the clay in their progress ; if time can be spared, it is a good plan to place 
a quantity of this stuff round the plants after planting. The great point 
in getting Rhododendrons to start is to mind the soil about the roots 
does not get dry. Thick planting, so as to cover the soil, is one plan; 
the next is mulching, which may be done with any material that will 
prevent evaporation. There is, with few exceptions, rain enough falling 
in Britain to keep these plants in health in the driest spot, if prevented 
from escaping by evaporation, and if the soil can be kept damp through 
the growing season, the Rhododendron cares not much for the soil in 
which it is placed, its hair-like roots will take up moisture sufficient for 
its use from almost any soil tolerably open, provided it is uniformly 
