IMPKOVEMENT OF AZALEAS, ETC. 95 



pot and placed them on a shelf in the propagating honse or under 

 the stage till they showed signs of growing. Many seeds were 

 ruined by alternate drying and watering, causing them to rot. 

 They should have moderate and even warmth, and never be very 

 wet or ver}^ dry. Seeds of lilies kept in an even temperature in 

 a cool shady place, come much better and more regular than when 

 exposed to alternations of heat and cold or wet and drought. 



MEETING FOR DISCUSSION. 



Saturday, March 11, 1876. 



William C. Strong, Chairman of the Committee on Publication 

 and Discussion, presided, and congratulated the meeting on the 

 beautiful exhibition in the hall, which could not but be an incen- 

 tive to others to cultivate such flowers. He felt confident that the 

 public would catch the enthusiasm in floriculture, which led to 

 such increasingly beautiful exhibitions. In the absence of any 

 special essay, he called on the exhibitors to say something of their 

 various productions. 



Marshall P. Wilder, alluded to the many beautiful azaleas ex- 

 hibited by himself and others, and said that perhaps no plant had 

 been improved more than this. The improvement was due to a 

 knowledge of cross fertilization, bringing together the best parents 

 so as to produce not only beautiful flowers but plants of good 

 habit. A plant with gross foliage and robust habit, but diminu- 

 tive flowers, presents an incongruous appearance. In crossing, we 

 should select varieties possessing the characteristics that we desire 

 to combine. The camellia has been equally improved with the 

 azalea. Mr. Wilder thought there was a point be^'ond which we 

 could not go in improvement, and that we should never see any finer 

 flowers of the camellia and azalea than now exist, but there were 

 a multitude of other things that could be brought up to the same 

 standard, and we may see other forms of flowers and expressions 

 of color in those species which have been most improved by art. 



The Chairman said that the attention of every one entering the 



