-that of a sandy
nature is more likely to be productive of flowers. It is easily
propagated from cuttings of the young wood; if they are taken in late
summer, when the leaves are falling, they will root quickly. Before the
strong west winds of autumn occur, it should be pruned, in order to
prevent its being torn from the wall; if the prunings are laid in sandy
loam, between shrubs, they will be sufficiently rooted for planting out
by the following spring.

Flowering period, December to April.

Kalmia Latifolia.

BROAD-LEAVED KALMIA; _Nat. Ord._ ERICACEAE.

[Illustration: FIG. 56. KALMIA LATIFOLIA.

(One-third natural size.)]

An evergreen shrub, very hardy in our climate. It comes from North
America, and from its dwarf character and free-blooming habit, it is not
only one of the most useful shrubs, but may be freely planted in
connection with herbaceous subjects, where it will help to redeem the
deadness of beds and borders during winter (see Fig. 56). Like the
rhododendron, it grows to various heights, according to the soil or
situation in which it may be planted, but 18in. to 2ft. is the size at
which it may often--perhaps most often--be seen producing its wealth of
flowers. There are many fine flowering shrubs, but they do not gain the
esteem in which this is held. Its large clusters of delicate flowers,
surmounting dark shining foliage, and which seem almost too pure and
beautiful to withstand the vicissitudes of the open garden, are its
winning points; moreover, the flowers last several weeks in perfection.
The flowers are arranged in broad panicles; the pedicels and five-cleft
calyx are a bright brown colour, and furnished with short stiff hairs.
The salver-shaped corolla, which is white, pleasingly tinted with red,
has a short tube and five divisions, curiously cornered; the flower is
fully 3/4in. across, and in its unopened state is hardly less pretty than
when blown. The leaves are borne on stout woody branches, have short
stalks, and a bent or contorted habit; they are thick, leathery,
shining, smooth, and of a dark green colour on the upper side;
underneath they are a yellowish-green. In form they are elliptical and
entire, being 3in. to 4in. long. Healthy specimens are well furnished
with foliage; otherwise it is spare, and when that is the case the
flowering is rarely satisfactory.

As this subject requires to be grown in moist vegetable soil, such as
leaf mould or peat, it is useless to pl