THE AZALEA. 



161 



THE CULTIVATION AND PROPAGATION OF AZALEAS. 



BY DR. WM. W. VALK, FLUSHING, L. I. 



Dear Sir — In the June number of ^^ Flore 

 des Serves et des Jar dins de V Europe,'''' 

 (which as usual contains ten exquisite 

 plates,) there is an admirable article by M. 

 Louis Van Houtte, the editor, with the 

 above title. As I think it cannot fail to be 

 interesting to your numerous readers, I send 

 you a translation. It is not always easy to 

 give the exact sense in rendering horticul- 

 tural subjects, and to this cause must be at- 

 tributed such peculiarities of expression as 

 the reader may notice. 



Azaleas, regarded as ornamental plants, 

 like Ehododendrons, Camellias, and even 

 as Roses, have acquired no little horticultu- 

 ral importance. Therefore, I believe ama- 

 teurs will be pleased to have me enter into 

 the relative details of the method of cul- 

 tivation which is best suited to them. 



Soil. — They succeed best in a light com- 

 post, rich in humus, formed of a mixture 

 of equal parts of leaf-mould, well rotted, 

 and sandy heath-earth. This compost is 

 renewed as often as the growth of the 

 plants appear to demand it. 



Potting. — Usually they are planted in well 

 drained pots, to avoid the stagnation of the 

 rain, or the watering, which occurrence is fa- 

 tal to the health of Azaleas. Pots with 

 straight sides, present a natural obstacle to 

 this stagnation ; the delicate root fibres have 

 more freedom, and are less obnoxious to 

 dampness ; on the other hand, the pots must 

 be changed when the fibres collect at the 

 bottom. 



Exposure. — The green-house should face 

 the east or south, though the north is bet- 

 ter ; and it ought to be perfectly airy. 



Putting out. — In the beginning of June, 

 or when the spring has fairly opened, all the 

 VOL. II. 21 



Azaleas are put out, placing them behind a 

 live hedge in steps, (or shelves,) and facing 

 the morning sun. The pots are plunged, 

 and a piece of tile or slate placed beneath 

 them, to prevent the entrance of earth- 

 worms. Here they are freely watered over- 

 head and at the roots (in the evening) dur- 

 ing hot weather, and while they continue 

 growing. When growth has ceased, the 

 supply of water is diminished ; the soil is 

 then to be kept only damp, and if the wea- 

 ther is wet, all watering must be withheld, 

 at the time of housing them. 



Their summer quarters should be as warm 

 and light as possible, without exposure to 

 the direct rays of the sun. On the other 

 hand, too much shade causes them to grow 

 weak, and to form very hw flower buds. 

 The essential point is to give them a just 

 medium between shade and sunshine. 



Putting them in. — Towards the last of 

 September or beginning of October, Aza- 

 leas must be huused. The nights are then 

 chilly and the white frosts dangerous. 

 While the weather is fine, they should be 

 cut into a proper shape, having already had 

 time to form new shoots and flower buds. 

 When removed from the ground, the pots 

 should be washed, (neatness is the charm 

 of green-houses,) and the plants arranged 

 in the most convenient manner on the stag- 

 ing of the house. 



Warmth. — The best method is by the 

 thermosiphon, (a peculiar mode of heating 

 by hot water,) but the fire should not be 

 ignited until the thermometer indicates of 

 Reaumur (the freezing point.) Azaleas are 

 not injured by cold at 2 R., and even — 2, 

 but a relative heat that will set the sap in 

 motion is highly injurious, and causes them 



