122 



On the Culture of Azaleas. 



during winter, except by permitting a greater or less current 

 of air to pass through the apartment. The inconveniences this 

 plan presents are obvious : the interior temperature will change 

 according to the exterior ; and, bad as this plan is, if the 

 thermometer stands under freezing point, no use can be made 

 of it at all ; hence the fruit must be abandoned to chance, 

 and disappointment will soon follow. In this case we recom- 

 mend the use of chlorine of calcium. This substance has 

 the property of absorbing about double its own weight of 

 moisture, when it becomes liquid after being exposed for a 

 certain length of time to a humid atmosphere, produced by 

 the moisture emitted by the fruit. It is thus suited to main- 

 tain the atmosphere in the best condition. To use chlorine 

 of calcium, a wooden box is made 

 (fig. 10, a,) one foot and a half square 

 by three inches deep, and placed upon 

 a table, 6, which is at the side, c, an 

 inch lower than on the other. The 

 chlorine of calcium, after having ab- 

 sorbed a certain quantity of moisture, 

 beconies liquefied, and runs into the 

 earthenware vase, d, placed underneath for the purpose. 

 Should the chlorine become dissolved before the total con- 

 sumption of the fruits, the dose must be renewed ; in which 

 case, the liquid in the vase, if put in a pan, and placed above 

 the fire, becomes again chlorine of calcium, and as good for 

 use as before. 



Fig. 10. Box for nshig the 

 Chlorine of Calcium. 



Art. V. On the Culture of Azaleas. By W. Saunders, 

 Gardener to J. Winans, Esq., Baltimore. 



When a person becomes interested in floricultural pursuits 

 and operations, sensations of pleasure will be experienced, 

 ditTcrent in their effects from the enjoyments derived from 

 many other sources. Instead of producing satiety, the relish 

 for them becomes greater, as the acquaintance with them ex- 

 tends. The ultimate tendency of such pursuits is to ameli- 



