94 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



in the production of varieties, and amongst them are many "white, blush, 

 red, lilac, and purple flowers, of which, generally speaking, the "whites 

 are the least valuable. A. speciosum is a showy species, and its varieties 

 are all good ; they are mostly red, orange, and scarlet. A. viscosa fur- 

 nishes the best of the hardy "whites in A. v. odoratum, which is sweet 

 scented. From these four species innumerable intermediate hybrid forms 

 have been produced, and the varieties kno-wn as Ghent Azaleas take their 

 name from the district where the raising of hybrids was first practised. 

 A. arhorescens is a magnificent species, growing to a height of ten feet, 

 and flowering in June. A. nitida, hispida, ledifolium, and glauca, all pro- 

 duce white flowers, and all are good ; the last is a very pretty shrub for 

 the wilderness or peat border. Lastly, A. atnwna is unquestionably the 

 most elegant and useful of all the smaller shrubs adapted for the peat-bed. 

 It grows in the form of a close round bush, rarely more than eighteen 

 inches high, covered winter and summer with small dark green glossy 

 leaves, and in April blooms profusely, the colour being a rich rosy crimson. 

 This forms a superb mai'ginal line for a clump or bed of American plants, 

 and is thoroughly hardy. It is also invaluable for the conservatory. A. 

 ohtusa is a good companion to it, and in some respects superior for culture 

 under glass. 



CuLTTTiiE or Azalea Indica. — The culture of these resembles, in many 

 points, that of the hardy kinds just described; but, as the plants are not 

 hardy, they need the protection of glass and the aid of a moderate amount 

 of heat during winter and early spring. The soil for specimen plants 

 should be tough fibry peat three parts, sharp sand one part, silky yellow 

 loam one part. This should be chopped up to the size of the fist, and in 

 potting the roughest parts should be used to place over the crocks, and to 

 fill in after the finer parts of the mixture have been placed next the roots 

 all round. The pots should be well drained, and should always be so 

 placed that superfluous water will drain away qu.ickly, for stagnation at 

 the root will be hurtful. Supposing we begin with plants well covered 

 with bloom buds, we should secure them a temperature averaging 50", 

 that is, ranging from 45° at night to 60° by day, "with plenty of water at 

 the root. As soon as the colour shows well at the points of the buds, 

 give them ordinary greenhouse temperature with plenty of air, and the 

 bloom will last a long time. They must have plenty of water. As soon 

 as the bloom is over, place them again in a temperature ranging from 

 50° to 60^, syringe frequently, and maintain the atmosphere in a moist 

 condition. As soon as their growth is completed and they begin to knot 

 for bloom, give them air freely and discontinue syringing. After ten or 

 twelve days of this treatment remove them from the house and place them 

 under a wall facing north till the end of October, and then house them 

 for the season. They may be brought into bloom as required by taking 

 them into a warm house in successive batches. 



Propagation of Greenhouse Azaleas. — "When raised from seed sow in 

 shallow pans, in peat, in February, and place in a gentle heat. As soon 

 as the seedlings have three leaves each, prick them out four inches apart, 

 in shallow boxes ; and in these let them remain till the next spring. Then 

 pot them singly in sixty sized pots, in turfy peat, with one-fourth sand 

 added ; place in a moist bottom-heat, and grow them on, shifting as they 

 require it, till they flower. To propagate from cuttings, choose young 

 tops, in a soft condition; and after removing the lower leaves, dibble 



