ably free bloomer. “ This,” he observes, “ I have always found 
to be the case when I have bred between two distinct hybrids. 
As long as the parent hybrids belong to distinct strains, the 
progeny will be healthy ; but when two of the same strain of 
hybrids (provided they are true hybrids) are taken to breed 
from, the progeny becomes sickly, the flowers poor, and the 
plants never do any good. On the contrary, by employing a 
fresh strain every time a cross is effected, you may go on breed¬ 
ing from true hybrids as long as you please.” 
Peat soil or heath-mould and a rather moist situation are the 
conditions most favourable to the growth of Rhododendrons; 
but we may quote the evidence of Mr. Standish, that with a 
trifling expense the worst of soils ihay be rendered suitable for 
them. The plan is to form a compost for them, consisting of 
64 two parts sandy loam or peat, or in fact any sandy soil that 
does not contain much chalk or lime, which American plants 
dislike, one-fourth leaf-mould, one-eighth sand, and one-eighth 
rotten manure,” the whole to be thoroughly incorporated before 
using, or, what is better, placed in a heap for a twelvemonth, and 
turned over two or three times in that period. Old exhausted 
beds are greatly benefited by a good dressing of rotten manure 
forked in carefully about the roots. 
A very important item of practical instruction in the culture 
of Rhododendrons and similar fine-rooted plants, has been 
tersely expressed in these words: “ Never allow them to be¬ 
come thoroughly dry at the root.” 
