26 AZALEA CULTURE. 



At night throw up the sash which covers the fraino in 

 order to give the cuttings all the air that is circulating 

 through the house. 



Figure 4 represents a frame which contains twelve 

 boxes of cuttings. Each box holds three hundred, making 

 in all thirty-six hundred cuttings, which is about the number 

 I grow every season. I grow many Azalea cuttings without 

 the frame, but not with the same success. Therefore I 

 advise using the frame. The second day cover the frame 

 with the sash, as was done on the first day, the sash being 

 raised about one inch. At night throw the sash up. Ven- 

 tilate in this way until the end of the second week, then 

 remove the sash from the frame entirely. The cuttings 

 should now be erect, and the wood hardened and capable 

 of standing the air which is circulating through the house. 

 Should they flag or wilt during the first week keep them 

 covered more closely. The idea is to keep them erect 

 the first week or two, which can be done by the 

 proper regulation of the frame. Have the glass shaded 

 with whiting. A very important matter to be considered 

 is the syringing, which keeps down red spider, thrip, &c. 

 If these pests get among the Azalea cuttings they will 

 become worthless and only fit for the rubbish heap. Old 

 plants can be cleared of red spider, but I find it impossible 

 to rid this pest from the cutting boxes when it gets fairly 

 started. 



To prevent these insects from making their appearance, 

 syringe with clean water morning and night, also wet the 

 sash and boards. Keep a good moisture in the house at all 

 times. Red spider cannot exist in a moist atmosphere. 



