a wild rose from ilie pasture expecting it to rival a 
Dr. Van Fleet. R. maximum has handsome foliage 
which looks well in the mountains, and the small, 
pale flowers are pleasing in desolate places. But in 
the garden R. maximum suffers by comparison with 
its splendid relatives and is often a failure, out of 
place, unhappy, unsightly. R. eatawbiense is some¬ 
what better, but magenta. 
Wild Rhododendrons would seem better left in 
the mountains, giving over the gaidens to gaiden 
hybrids, which can fe multiplied as desiieo with¬ 
out despoiling nature. When species aie needed, 
and many of the Asiatics pio\e even moie beauti¬ 
ful than hybrids with one skilllul enough to grow 
them, we can raise these from seed in the nursery. 
CULTIVATION AND CARE 
All Rhododendrons need an acid, cool, moist soil rich in 
vegetable matter. It must contain no lime or limestone in any 
form. Whether or not there is natural acidity, prepare the ground 
by digging ii to it a large amount of acid peat or leafmold from 
oak woods. 
Rhododendrons also prefer sloping ground for drainage. Ex¬ 
cept the pigmy sorts, which are separately dealt with further on, 
they need some shade or a north exposure, shelter from the wind, 
and a damp atmosphere. Lacking these, sprinkle regularly. 
