FLOWERING SHRUBS IN POTS 49 



ments. They are rather liable to be infested by aphides, and 

 should be sprayed with an insecticide at intervals, not merely 

 as a remedy but also as a preventive. For scale, a brush 

 dipped in paraffin emulsion should be used. The softer the 

 fohage of a plant, the more susceptible it is to pests of 

 various kinds ; and as softness is caused by the close, moist, 

 warm atmosphere of an ill-ventilated greenhouse, it is essential 

 for health that as much fresh air as possible should be 

 admitted at all times. Even then, if it can be managed, it 

 is best to grow most plants outside during the summer, and 

 to bring them in again before cold weather comes. The 

 named varieties have not been "fixed" — that is, do not 

 come true from seed — but from a small packet sown in 

 spring many excellent plants can be raised, and most of them 

 should flower in the following year. 



Acacia. — The majority of species grow rather too 

 rapidly for rooms, but several, such as A. Druvunoiidii and 

 A. pulchella^ are dwarfer, and make fine pot-plants. If they 

 get too large they can be propagated by means of cuttings 

 of partly-ripened shoots taken off with a slight heel of older 

 wood in summer, and inserted firmly in moist, sandy soil, and 

 kept close and shaded. Seeds sown as soon as they are ripe 

 germinate quickly. About May, when the plants have 

 finished flowering, they should be cut back in order to make 

 them bushy ; and if they are stood outside during the summer, 

 they will be all the better for it. They require plenty of 

 water, and even in winter should not be allowed to get 

 quite dry. 



Azalea. — There are a number of different species, but 

 the plants usually seen in this country are hybrids. Some, 

 grouped under the name of Ghent azaleas, are hardy ; others, 

 known as Indian azaleas (hybrids of A. uidica\ are tender ; 

 others again, Chinese azaleas (hybrids of A. si?iensis, often 

 called A. ?nollls)^ require only protection from severe weather. 

 It is not worth while trying to raise them from seed, they 

 take so many years to reach flowering size ; and as propaga- 

 tion by cuttings is also slow, it is the general practice to buy 

 established plants. The flowers should be taken off as soon 



