22 AZALEA CULTURE. 



rose, then boat the second time, not being afraid of having 



the sand in the boxes too firm. 



Fig. No. 1 represents a cutting about two inches and a 



half long, taken from the parent plant. They can be used 

 shorter, but I have never been very successful with 

 small cuttings. Most growers use the small 

 cuttings, and their success in rooting them is very 

 limited. To be what I call a successful grower of 

 Azalea cuttings is to root and bring from the sand 

 box ninety-five cuttings out of every hundred. 

 Many may think this impossible, as so many unsuc- 

 Repre- cessful growers are only able to get five living cut- 



sentmg tings out of one hundred. But it is done, and can be 

 cuttin^ 



a shown during the months of April and May. If 

 halfinches 



cutting 

 two and 



long, the directions are followed which are contained in 

 this work, there will hardly be a dead cutting in a box which 

 will hold over three hundred. 



A very important matter to be looked after in rooting 

 this cutting, is to see that the sand is fresh from the 

 river or bank. It is not necessary to wash it, as so many 

 recommend, but do not use sand that has grown other 

 cuttings. Sand which has 'been used for some time for 

 propagating purposes, becomes full of vermin, &c. After 

 it has been in the house six months or even less time, if 

 noticed carefully, there will be often found a kind of fungus 

 over the sand and among the cuttings. Many cuttings die 

 from this cause, few growers knowing the reason. Fresh 

 sand and cleanliness are absolutely necessary for the success- 

 ful propagation of the Azalea, as well as other cuttings. 

 Figure 2 represents the cutting made and ready for the 



