Wt)e ^fjotiobenbron ^ociet|> Mottsi, 
In planting rhododendrons out in grass, we find it essential to keep the soil 
free of grass and weeds for some distance round the stem, until the shrub has 
grown strong and dense enough to destroy the herbage under its^own shade. 
Where the grounds are extensive and the plants numerous it is difficult to get 
this attended to, especially in these days when labour is so scarce. We have, 
therefore, adopted with advantage the plan of placing a heavy mulch of cut grass 
round the young shrubs, taking care not to let it touch the stems. This serves the 
double purpose of preventing fresh growth of grass, and of screening the roots 
from scorching sun. 
Rhododendron Batemanni. I have given the dimensions of two fine 
specimens of this grand species at Castle Kennedy, where it was probably sent 
by Sir Joseph Hooker, about fifty years ago. It is the earliest of all the large- 
leaved species to flower, except the hybrid Nobleanum. It began to flower 
in January, 1916, and when I saw it in February, it was a splendid sight, covered 
with crimson bloom. The species was described and figured in the “ Botanical 
Magazine,” Vol. ., p. 
Rhododendron nobile. This species also appears to have been sent by 
Sir Joseph Hooker to Castle Kennedy, but I can find no reference to it in any 
work on Indian plants. It flowers in late April and May, bright carmine. The 
foliage alone would justify the specific title nobile, for it is verj^ rich. The leaves 
set on green petioles about half inch long, and rounded at the base measure from 
5 to 7 inches long and 1| to 2 inches broad ; upper surface rather light green, 
not shining, with shallow transverse ripple marks running from the midrib to the 
margins ; the backs clothed with pale fawn tomentum. Many seedlings have 
been raised at Castle Kennedy from the original plant ; but it must always be 
doubtful whether the ovaries have not been affected by the proximity of hundreds 
of other plants of several species flowering at the same time. Two, which I have, 
however, now 3 or 4 feet high have the characteristic foliage, but have not yet 
flowered. In 1915, Lady Stair sent flowers and foliage of Rh. Nobile to Mr. 
Watson, of Kew, for identification. In reply, Mr. Watson wrote that there were 
specimens of it in Wallich’s Herbarium, as named by him, but some one else made 
it out to be a natural hybrid between Rh. campanulatum and Rh. barbatum. 
It was collected wild in Bhotan. If it is a hybrid, it is strange that it should 
come true from seed. 
Mr. T. Smith, of Newry, seems to have a large stock of Rhododendron 
ciLiATUM, at a moderate price, viz., 12 for 30 /-. Those which he sent me are very 
fine plants. 
Last year I obtained from Messrs. Thyne, of Dundee, a herbaceous plant 
which is not commonly offered, viz., Anemonopsis macrophylla, at 1 /- each. 
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