282 THE GARDENER. [June 



GEEEWHOUSE NOTES. 



AZALEAS. 



It is unnecessary on my part to make any preliminary remarks re- 

 garding the Azalea in general ; but it may not be out of place at 

 the close of the flowering season to send you a few notes, from obser- 

 vations connected with their culture, and which, moreover, may prove 

 useful to some of the readers of the 'Gardener.' If, after flower- 

 ing, any of the plants present a stunted or exhausted appearance, 

 they should be taken from the pots and the old soil shaken 

 partially away from the roots ; a sufficient quantity of turfy fibrous 

 peat which has been previously well turned and sweetened by the 

 atmosphere, should in the mean time be in readiness, to which add a 

 good dash of silver sand. Some recommend a portion of decayed 

 manure among the soil, but if the plants are in an ordinary state of 

 vigour, I prefer to avoid it, as a firmer growth is more certain — a point, 

 by the way, upon which free flowering the following season to a great 

 extent depends. If they will conveniently contain the roots of the 

 plants, no larger pots than those which they previously occupied 

 should be used, having them thoroughly cleaned outside and inside. 

 Some plants here have occupied the same pots, 10 and 12 inch size, 

 for four or more years ; and as they still betoken high vigour, I have 

 resolved to simply top-dress them, by removing 2 inches of the surface, 

 and replacing with soil as above mentioned, as difficulty is sometimes 

 experienced in securing well-ripened points, which might be increased 

 by repotting vigorous plants. In the case of those which are to be 

 potted, be careful that the pots are efficiently drained, as stagnant 

 water is highly objectionable at the roots of any plant, and notably 

 of the Azalea. A few pieces of charcoal may advantageously be 

 placed over the crocks. In potting, the soil should be packed firmly 

 about the roots, which should be disentangled from the part of the ball 

 left ; fill the pot to within one inch of the rim, which space should be 

 reserved, in order that watering when required may be efficiently done. 

 If when potting the soil was in proper order, water, with the exception 

 of dewing overhead, will not be necessary for a day or two, applying 

 it cautiously till free growth commences, when an abundant supply 

 should be given, gradually diminishing it as the young shoots harden. 

 It is beneficial, in fact necessary, that the Azalea during the period, 

 of making and maturing its growth, should be placed in a close moist 

 structure, where there is a little fire-heat. I place them in a division 

 of a Melon-pit, from which they can be removed in time to plant a 

 late crop if required. While there, they are regularly turned round 

 and syringed to keep thrips at bay, that inveterate Azalea pest. I am 

 glad to say, however, I have never observed the slightest appearance of 



