FIRST WEEK IN DECEMBER 



needs a peaty compost and an abundance of water ; it is 

 almost hardy, but as its blossoms are produced at the wrong 

 time of the year for our climate, it should be grown under 

 glass in winter, placing the pot in a sunny position in the 

 garden for the summer months, and supplying the plant 

 with plenty of water. 



It can be potted on in the spring directly after blooming ; 

 the roots, however, must not be much interfered with, but 

 should be treated in the same way as those of azaleas, giving 

 them a shift into a slightly larger pot, with fine peat and 

 loam tightly packed between the roots and the pot, taking 

 care to leave ample room for watering purposes on the 

 surface. 



Azaleas, both of the Indian (A. indica) varieties and those 

 from Japan (A. mollis), are well known. The latter group 

 is quite hardy, but all azaleas need much water throughout 

 the year, and constant syringing in summer, to prevent the 

 attacks of their special enemy, thrips, which quickly destroy 

 their foliage if allowed to do so. Azalea mollis is, however, 

 deciduous, and can be kept fairly dry after its leaves have 

 dropped until the swelling buds denote renewed growth ; 

 neither species should, however, be placed over hot-water 

 pipes. 



Rhododendrons, which are equally beautiful, are not 

 nearly so often seen under glass, yet there are many dwarf 

 varieties suitable for a cool greenhouse, as well as the lovely 

 hothouse rhododendrons from Java and their hybrids, which 

 flower at this season. The Nobleanum group of hardy 

 rhododendrons do well in pots, being dwarf and floriferous ; 

 the blossoms are in brilliant red as well as in rose colour. 

 R. ochroleucum produces yellow blossoms, and R. caucasicum 

 album is in white. They require a peaty compost and the 

 same treatment as azaleas, being, in fact, closely allied to 

 them. The rhododendrons from Java, and the hybrids of 

 which they have been the parents, are more delicate, and 

 these should be kept under glass all the year round, giving 

 them a minimum temperature of 60 in winter. Their 

 blossoms are exquisitely beautiful, in various shades of 



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