300 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



The whole of the species grow best in shallow pans, and as they 

 have to grow in the same pans from the commencement, it is desirable 

 to prepare them properly. Put two inches of crocks in the bottom, 

 with a layer of rough pieces of peat over to keep the soil in its 

 place, and then fill up with fibry peat and sand, and use the former 

 in a rather rough state. Healthy species of the former, cut or 

 broken off, arid pegged down on the surface, and the stem portion 

 covered with sand, will speedily take root and start into growth. 

 The species belonging to what I have termed the semi-shrubby sec- 

 tion, must be carefully taken out of the pots, and divided into 

 rather small pieces, and dibbled in regularly over the surface. In 

 either case, place the pans in the most shady position the house 

 affords, and keep a nice genial moisture about them by sprinkling 

 the stages and floor several times during the day. If the pans can 

 be covered with a bell-glass until the roots begin to take posses- 

 sion of the fresh soil, it will facilitate the rooting process immensely. 

 After they are nicely established more light and air will be neces- 

 sary, but it must not be overdone, as this class of plants flourish 

 with greater luxuriance in a rather close and shady position. 



If any signs of mildew or decay are perceptible in the close- 

 growing kinds, like apoda, carefully remove the infected part, and 

 sprinkle the specimen with dry sand, and keep rather dry for a 

 time ; but on no account let them suffer for the want of water. 

 When such sorts as dentieulata and formosa begin to have a starved 

 appearance, sprinkle them with sufficient dry sandy peat to cover 

 the surface to a depth of a quarter of an inch ; the young roots will 

 soon take possession of this, and the plants resume their wonted 

 vigour. Others, in the way of Wildenovii, must have a shift into 

 larger pans. The division of which the last-mentioned species is a 

 type requires more warmth and greater care than the others, but 

 they are well worth the extra trouble. The winter temperature 

 should average about 50", and nearly all will do well in the conser- 

 vatory during the summer, provided, they can have a shady and close 

 corner. 



The hardiest sorts are S. denticulata, S. apoda, S. helvetica, S. 

 Poulteri, S. involvens, S. Martensi, and S. formosa. The most 

 distinct of the more tender kinds are — S. ccesia (which must have 

 shade to develope its metallic lustre), S.filicina, IS. Lyalli, S. viticu- 

 losa, 8- Wildenovii, and S. Wallichii. 



THE NEW AZALEAS OF 1869. 



BY GEORGE GORDON. 



FULLY intended to have said something about the new 

 varieties of the past season in my paper upon Azalea 

 culture, in the last number of the Floral World, but 

 it extended to a greater length than at first anticipated, 

 and I felt bound to defer the consideration of the new 

 varieties. Perhaps, after all, it was as well not to mix the notes 



