LA BARS’ RHODODENDRON NURSERY, STROUDSBURG, PA. 
23 
SOIL: An expensive soil mixture is not required, but it is absolutely 
necessary to provide an acid soil and without it you will not have proper re¬ 
sults. This does not mean that you need do without Rhododendrons if you 
have a limestone soil for it is not difficult to make it acid. Lime in the soil may 
be from unsuspected causes, as sometimes garden soil may become impregnated 
by plaster from building operations, by irrigating with hard water or from 
numerous other causes. 
Old hardwood sawdust, peat moss or decayed oak leaves will help make an 
acid soil. The use of Aluminum Sulphate is one of the simplest and most in¬ 
expensive methods of acidifying soil. The quantity to be used depends upon soil 
conditions, but as a general rule 1 to 2 pounds per square yard, sprinkled evenly 
over the surface of the ground, will be sufficient. 
We can supply Aluminum Sulphate at 5 cents per pound in quantities from 
5 to 100 pounds, f. o. b., Stroudsburg, Pa. Prices of larger quantities upon 
application. 
We will gladly test your soil for acidity, without charge or obligation to 
you, upon receipt of a 2 ounce sample. 
As a general rule do not plant Rhododendron maximum in strong sun and 
wind, as they thrive best in partial shade and seclusion. You may plant R. 
catawbiense in full sunlight al¬ 
though it too will welcome some 
shade. The other varieties of 
Rhododendrons and also Leuco- 
thoe, Pieris and Kalmia will grow 
in sun or shade, but the native 
Azaleas and High Bush Blueber¬ 
ries should be given plenty of sun. 
PRUNING: Pinch off the 
flower clusters as they wither to 
conserve the plant strength and to 
prevent the development of useless 
seed pods. This energy will thus 
be diverted into the forming of 
bloom buds for the following year. 
We do not advise pruning of R. 
maximum or R. catawbiense, but 
it can be done if understood. 
Local conditions would govern 
such pruning. 
In severe cold or in drought, the Rhodo¬ 
dendron leaves curl lengthwise and droop, 
hanging perpendicularly, thereby reduc¬ 
ing the exposure to sun and wind, lessen¬ 
ing transpiration; it is their “safety first” 
