14 THE GARDENER. [Jan. 



pretty fine ; but for larger plants — say from those in 8-inch pots and 

 upwards — the soil should be rather lumpy, being merely broken to 

 pieces with the hands ; and if good fibry loam is to be had, a little 

 may be added, though it is not necessary. When they have done 

 flowering they should be placed in a house with a temperature of 

 about 60° at night, till they make their growth, giving them a dew- 

 ing night and morning with the syringe. When growth is made 

 they should be gradually hardened off ; and about the end of July 

 they may be set out of doors, standing on a bed of ashes to keep 

 out the worms. Stand them in a sheltered place, but exposed to the 

 sun, so as to get the wood thoroughly ripened and buds formed. 

 They may be again taken under cover early in October, placing them 

 in a cool house. If they are wanted to bloom early, a few of those 

 having the most prominent buds may be placed in a gentle heat, and 

 gradually pushed forward — not too hard, however, at first. Other 

 batches of them may be introduced in the same way at intervals, in 

 order to keep up a succession of bloom : while those intended for 

 late flowering should be kept as cool as possible — a few degrees of 

 frost even will not do them any injury. With judicious management 

 as to forcing and retarding, a supply of bloom may be had the greater 

 part of the year. 



The great pest of Azaleas is thrips. This must be diligently looked 

 after, and fumigated on the first symptoms of it appearing, repeating 

 the operation two or three times, else they soon spoil the appearance 

 of the plant, besides doing a great deal of injury. I habitually give 

 them a syringing every few weeks during the growing season and 

 while they are at rest, with soft-soap dissolved in warm water — a piece 

 of soap about the size of a hen's egg to a large watering-potful of 

 water. We lay the plants on their side, and dash it well into them ; 

 and then in a few hours we syringe them in the same way with clear 

 water. Besides keeping them clear of thrips, this also keeps the 

 foliage clean and healthy. There are so many varieties of Azaleas in 

 cultivation, and so many of them are good, that it is difficult to give 

 a list of what all would consider the best. I may just enumerate a 

 few of them, however, that are really good and will generally give 

 satisfaction, merely giving the names, as colours can be found by 

 consulting any catalogue. 



Baronne de Yriere, Beaute Supreme, Dr David Moore, Due 

 d'Aremberg, Due de Nassau, Duke of Devonshire, John Gould 

 Veitch, Le Flambeau, Queen of the Whites, Queen Victoria, Roi des 

 Beiges, Roi des Blanches, Stella, Souvenir du Prince Albert, William 

 Bull, Princess Mary of Cambridge, Todmanii, Alice, Elag of Truce, 

 and Model. J. G. W. 



