18 AZALEA CULTURE. 



sider a bad freak in our greenhouse kinds of this plant. 

 See Chapter XVII on this special subject. 



My mode of rooting this plant differs entirely from that 

 of the Camellia. Instead of a bench, use shallow boxes 

 filled with good sharp sand to receive the cuttings which 

 are to be rooted. There is no artificial heat necessary for 

 them. 



Give Azalea cuttings the coolest part of the house. It 

 is not necessary that they should have bottom heat ; they 

 will root more freely without it. A frame will be required 

 with a glass covering, inside of the house. This extra cov- 

 ering is only needed for a week or ten days. I place the 

 boxes which are filled with the cuttings in this frame, not 

 that they be kept close or air-tight, but merely to keep them 

 from flagging or wilting for the first week or two. 



If you wish to be successful in rooting them, keep all 

 artificial heat away ; never use either top or bottom heat. 



Artificial heat has a tendency to produce numerous 

 insects, therefore keep it away from these cuttings. Red 

 spider and thrip are the principal causes of failure in a 

 great many instances. 



More Azaleas die from these pests than from any other 

 cause known. 



At the season of the year when the cuttings are placed 

 in the sand boxes, the days are growing longer and the sun 

 is becoming more powerful, which will give all the heat that 

 is necessary during the day. 



At night, should the thermometer fall to forty degrees, 

 they will not be injured, but will be greatly benefited by the 

 low temperature. 



