and manure ; and these dressings have given vegetation of Azalea 

 the richest vigour, combined with a florescence of extraordinary Mollis In- 

 beauty. But knife and saw are not allowed to rust. Should (Jj ca an( J 

 an old plant display " legginess," it is sawn back with a whole- Qj nens ; s 

 hearted courage that makes the untrained observer shake in his 

 shoes. The saw goes back right to the bole, which may be 

 six inches or more thick, and the plant is left a mere pollard. 

 There is nothing quite like the way in which these gnarled 

 stumps break anew into life and beauty, unless it be the sight 

 of a hoary and senile Cactus suddenly arousing itself from a toad- 

 like torpor, and producing a dazzling shower of vivid blossoms. 



The Saltwood garden is a hundred years old or more, 

 but it has been entirely rearranged by its present owner. The 

 plants have been freshly grouped with an eye to suitable foils 

 and backgrounds. " Vistas " have been made. The leading 

 idea is not great beds such as one sees on many lawns, but 

 winding banks, melting into dells, or swelling into bold groups. 

 In this work Azalea Mollis has played a part scarcely less 

 important than that of the Rhododendrons themselves, and in 

 spite of the fact that this plant is leaf-losing, not evergreen, 

 it must have more and more attention in the future. Its tints 

 are unique among hardy shrubs, and its copper, old gold, 

 salmon, orange, and cinnamon hues are marvellously telling. 



We have still much to learn about Azaleas, and one great 

 thing is that by fully utilising the different sections we can 

 greatly prolong the period of bloom. In warm southern 

 gardens use can be made of the Indica varieties, but they 

 are not hardy enough to be employed in exposed places. 

 They bloom early, and the colours are brilliant and varied. 

 The Ghent and Mollis (or Sinensis] varieties carry the bloom 



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