32 ON THE CULTURE OE THE AZALEA. 



The varieties of this handsome genus are very numerous, and 

 have been raised in a short period. Twenty years since there 

 were only a few very moderate species, having small insignificant 

 flowers. Ten years since the A. pontica arrived in this country, 

 and sold at a most extravagant price, its beauty being very highly 

 extolled ; this species became the parent of a vast variety. 



I think it deserves to be recorded to the honour of a baker, one 

 M. Mortiek, that devoting his leisure bours to the study and 

 pursuit of Floriculture, he, by impregnation of different kinds, 

 was the first to raise not only the first hybrid, but nearly all the 

 superb varieties which are now dispersed and cultivated so exten- 

 sively throughout Europe. After having most successfully raised 

 numerous varieties from A. pontica and calendulacea, he impreg- 

 nated the A. pontica with the pollen of A. viscosa. This co-mix- 

 ture afforded a greater reward than was anticipated, and the pro- 

 duce was the foundation of a new and very distinct section — that 

 of the tardives. In this class is displayed all the variations of 

 which the Azalea is capable, and it comprises those varieties 

 which are most admired and esteemed by amateurs and gardeners. 

 Having raised such an immense variety of kinds, and judging as 

 many were raised as could be classified, M. Mortier resolved to 

 give up hybridizing, concluding that to pursue the practice would 

 only perplex the classification. I observe, however, that other 

 persons have now taken up the practice, and some distinct and 

 handsome varieties have been the reward of such attention. 



In the commencement of the preceding observations, I stated 

 that the genus Azalea required but little trouble when once pio- 

 perly planted. I shall, therefore, add some particulars respecting 

 its culture. 



Situation. — If a garden be high and dry, select a situation 

 where there is a very free admission of air, but it must be wholly 

 shaded by trees or walls. If the garden be low and damp, select 

 a situation where there will be the best circulation of air, and 

 about half shaded. 



Soil. — Take out a foot deep of the natural soil of the place, and 

 fill it with the following compost : — Leaves well decayed and rot- 

 ten, and which have not been submerged. The best kind is pro- 

 duced from the Oak. If this cannot be had, take decayed turf, 

 with a third part of that dry rottenness which is found in trees, 



