AND CONSEEVATOEY. 177 



The Azalea Indica requires, speaking generally, the 

 same treatment as the camellia, but instead of a loamy should 

 have a peaty soil. As it is an easy matter to propagate them 

 we shall begin with that part of the subject. It is an easy 

 matter to procure seed, as the single varieties produce plenty. 

 Sow as soon as ripe in pans of sandy peat and keep in a 

 moist heat until started. Cuttings should be made from the 

 shoots of the season when nearly but not quite ripe. The 

 new varieties are generally sent out grafted on seedling stocks. 

 The last method is a very simple affair of crown or cleft 

 grafting, easily learnt and requiring only a little practice to 

 make perfect in it. However, we recommend the amateur 

 to obtain ready made nursery plants, for azaleas are never 

 needed in such quantities in a private garden, as to render 

 the propagating of the varieties worth the acquisition of the 

 " knack " which is the key to success. 



The best time to buy is in the spring. When the plants 

 come home examine them well, as it is possible they may be 

 infected with thrip, the sign of which is a sooty deposit on the 

 under sides of the leaves. If they appear to be thrippy, 

 shut them up and give them two doses of tobacco smoke, 

 not only to cleanse them but to prevent the spread of the 

 destructive pest. When the plants have flowered and begin 

 to grow, put them in pots one or two sizes larger. The com- 

 post usually employed is one consisting of peat five parts, and 

 one part sand, but we prefer equal proportions of silky yellow 

 loam full of the roots of grass and tough fibrous peat, with a 

 sixth part of the whole bulk of silver sand. 



Azaleas are strictly greenhouse plants, but they receive 

 immense benefit from the assistance of a genial temperature 

 when making their growth in the spring. When the stock is 

 fresh potted, place it in a temperature of about 65°, and 

 maintain a healthy atmosphere by frequently sprinkling the 

 paths and stages ; also syringe overhead lightly morning and 

 afternoon. Water sparingly, because the roots are too much 

 deranged to take up a large supply; and, to keep up the 

 balance, the evaporation must be checked in the manner 

 pointed out above. Hundreds of azaleas are killed annually 

 through improper watering, for they are remarkably impatient 

 of being tampered with at the roots. It is a very common 

 practice to give just sufficient to wet the soil to a depth of 

 three or four inches below the surface, without troubling to 



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