CHAPTER VI. 



ON GRAFTING THE AZALEA. THE PROCESS I PREFER. THE 



BEST STOCK TO USE. 



t am often asked which I prefer, the grafted plants of 

 the Azalea or those grown from the cuttings. I grow 

 largely of this plant, and practice both growing from cut- 

 tings and from grafting. Sometimes I inarch, but very 

 seldom. I have a preference, not that one way is better 

 than the other in respect to flowering, for there is no differ- 

 ence in this particular, but there is a difference in the 

 appearance of the plants after they are five years and older. 

 As this is only a matter of taste, each grower of the Azalea 

 must decide for himself. 



I prefer the grafted plants for one reason only : if they 

 receive the proper attention and the young shoots are 

 pinched or topped often, they will form beautiful round 

 heads on stems twelve to fifteen inches from the pot, 

 and when in flower will be an ornament for the conservatory, 

 parlor or greenhouse. Large plants can be grafted with 

 several different kinds on one plant, but I prefer to graft 

 the young plant and with only one variety. 



The old plants cannot be grafted with the same success 

 as the young ones, and further, they cannot be as shapely 

 as those which are grafted on the stock one year old. 



Many varieties that grow strong from cuttings can be 

 trimmed up and have the appearance of those that are 



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