162 



THE AZALEA. 



to be weak and etiolated. Heat is not re- 

 quired except it be to remove dampness, 

 resulting from the atmosphere, (as fogs, 

 long rains, or to dissipate a slight frost, 

 carefully regulating the temperature, that 

 it goes not above 38 or 40 degrees Fahren- 

 heit ; more heat wovxld be detrimental. 

 When the weather allows, the sashes and 

 doors of the house should be opened, par- 

 ticularly when the sun shines, an occurrence 

 very rare in our climate (Belgium) during 

 the winter. This should be especially at- 

 tended to when there is no frost. 



Pruning. — After Azaleas have made 

 their growth, they should be tied up neatly 

 to give a better effect to their flowers. Cut 

 off all flaring branches just at the old wood. 

 It is at this period that a general repotting 

 is recommended, to secure a proper refresh- 

 ing of the roots. The application of a gene- 

 rous and new soil invigorates the radicles, 

 the plants soon cover themselves with fresh 

 leaves and a profusion of flower buds, re- 

 compensing for the care which has been 

 given them. 



Some Azaleas are naturally dwarf, there- 

 fore these bear very little pruning ; such are 

 ji. indica lateritia, variegata, gledstanesii, 

 and they require a little more heat than the 

 others. In consequence of this, keep them 

 in a warm green-house, or give them the 

 warmest places in a cold one. 



Diseases of Azaleas. — In vegetable life, 

 there are but few other diseases than caries 

 (rottenness of the roots,) chlorosis (jaundice.) 

 and the languor immediately preceding 

 death. The first and second are caused by 

 an excess of water either from rain or ar- 

 tificially. If the disease has not progressed 

 too far, the remedy will be found in a re- 

 moval of the cause producing it, and by a 

 partial or entire repotting, then keeping the 

 plants in the shade or under a frame. An 

 excess of dryjiess becomes a prominent cause 



of languor, and is in many cases difficult 

 to remove. Here water must be used with 

 the greatest caution, for it is almost sure to 

 kill. If the dry state has been prolonged, 

 repot the plant in fresh earth, cut it in mo- 

 derately, and keep it from the influence of 

 the external atmosphere. Kept too warm. 

 Azaleas are attacked by the Red Spider, 

 (Acarus,) which will soon increase and kill 

 the plant by exhausting its juices, if the 

 leaves are not washed with care, from time 

 to time, and frequently syringed, an opera- 

 tion indispensable, and alike applicable to 

 plants in perfect health. 



Azaleas in Rooms. — It is not at all sur- 

 prising that plants with such splendid and 

 brilliant flowers, should have gained access 

 to salons and palaces. But these golden 

 ceilings, (lambris dorts) are fatal to them, 

 if the master's eye is not vigilant in con- 

 tinuing the habitual cares of the gardener ! 

 Therefore the rooms should be aired as 

 much as possible through the day ; at all 

 events, the Azaleas should be placed near 

 the windows, and carefully watered so as 

 to preserve their foliage and flowers fresh. 

 As soon as the amateur perceives the least 

 ailment in the Azaleas which decorate his 

 rooms, although the flowering be not done, 

 he should, from interest, as well as for the 

 preservation of his plants, send them to 

 the common physician, (medecin ordinaire,) 

 that is to say the gardener. 



Such are, grosse mode, the general cares, 

 required for the preservation and raising of 

 Azaleas. The places of exposure and rela- 

 tive difference of climate, must necessarily 

 be regulated by the changes of tempera- 

 ture, still based upon the suggestions of my 

 experience and that of most practical culti- 

 vators. These modifications are, of course, 

 appreciable to the sagacity and vigilance of 

 amateurs, where the climate is different 

 from that of Belgium or the north of France 



