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RHODODENDRONS AT LOGAN. 
I think it may be of some interest to record the behaviour of R. arboreum 
planted in very wet ground. Many years ago I planted some R. arboreum 
seedlings of some years growth in ground of this nature. The place was so wet 
that only a shallow hole could be dug owing to the water which at once filled 
it up, and as there was no room to get in the plants, a bed of peat had to be laid 
on the top and raised 18 inched to enable the plants to be placed where they were 
wanted. These arboreums are now large plants and flower splendidly every 
year though they are often sitting in water. Peat is laid over the roots from 
time to time ; this form of mulching seems to be all that is necessary to their 
well-being. Near by, also in a wet place, are some plants of R. “ Pink Pearl ” 
treated in the same way, and these have flourished splendidly, producing each 
year enormous blooms. I measured these last year and found most of them 
as follows : truss 10 inches high, 24 inches in circumference, flowers, 17 inches, 
each flower 4-^ inches across. 
These plants make very strong growth and are somewhat straggly in habit. 
I have other ground of a swampy nature at the foot of the hill where I grow 
most of the Rhododendrons, and here in places where the ground is sufficiently 
firm to support the plants, I hope in time to try Rhododendrons. Neither 
rabbits nor roe deer have done any serious injurj^ to any of the Rliododendrons 
since my last report. Moles, however, owing to the lack of labour to trap them, 
have taken possession of the ground and injured some of the small plants by 
working round and under the roots, and thereby loosening the hold of the plants. 
Weevils disfigured many leaves and some were eaten by caterpillars. 
R. LUTESCENS during a mild speU of weather in February last was decidedly 
nice, covered with its yellow flowers, deeper in colour than R. triflorum. R. 
Hookeri has flower buds again this year ; it did not flower last spring. R. 
Aucklandii flowered well for the first time here last year. 
Gradually the Rhododendron ground is becoming better sheltered, but 
there is much to be achieved yet in this respect. Young larches cut with their 
branches left on and placed upright with strong supports and with their butts 
sunk into the ground are of great use while the shelter belts are growing. 
Used also for permanent shelter in a few places where nothing will grow, 
such as between old tree trunks, they give capital results as wind stops, and can 
easily be taken away in summer if necessary, but I do not think they will be 
much in evidence at any time of the year, and having once placed such screens 
in the right places, I hope it will be possible to let them alone for they should 
last for many years. 
KENNETH McDOUALL. 
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