We have collected this large number of species and varieties for 
several reasons. In the first place, we want to become familiar wit 
practically everything available in the Rhododendron group so that 
we will know which ones are the best for various purposes. In 
some ways it might have been advisable for us to pick out a dozen 
or so of the best varieties and give our entire attention to propagat- 
ing large numbers of these. However, when we consider that there 
are almost 1,000 species of Rhododendrons and several thousand va- 
rieties of Rhododendron hybrids and Azaleas which have been named 
‘and introduced, it will be readily seen that a dozen or so varieties 
- would. give a very poor representation of such a large and varied 
‘group. Furthermore, who would be able to name the best dozen or 
so varieties? The fact that certain varieties are being sold by var- 
ious nurserymen in large numbers does not necessarily mean that 
they are the best. 
As our collection develops it becomes more and more evident that 
no one could pick out a dozen varieties which would adequately re- 
present all of the types available. We have varieties which blossom 
in February and from then on others bloom each month until July, 
and sometimes into August. Some produce a few flowers in the Fall. 
There are tiny rock garden plants only 2 or 3 ins. high with very small 
leaves, and other large, free-growing plants with large leaves which, 
if given ideal conditions, would eventually make trees many feet 
high. There is a wide range of foliage, type of growth, and color and 
size of flowers. It is our feeling that as these less well known species 
and varieties become better known, they will play a much more im- 
portant part in American gardening. Use of the dwarf, rock garden 
types has hardly been started in this country. It is our hope to have 
here at Cranguyma Farms a collection which people can study and 
from which they may choose a great range of plant material for all 
sorts of garden uses. 
—~— 
Rhododendron Culture 
There is no denying that Rhododendrons do require special con- 
ditions in order to thrive as they should. However, we are finding 
every year that people in additional areas where Rhododendrons have 
never been grown before can grow them successfully if they watch 
a few details. Rhododendrons require an acid soil but this does not 
mean that every garden soil needs to be acidified as Rhododendrons 
will do well at pH5 and fairly well in soils that are even less acid than 
that. However, where soil is near the neutral point, or on the alka- 
line side, it will definitely be necessary to use chemical treatments 
or to dig out the soil and replace it with peat moss, leaf mold, and 
