CHAPTER VIII. 



BEST TIME TO GRAFT THE AZALEA. SUITABLE WOOD FOR 



GRAFTING. 2NGRAVING OF BOX TO RECEIVE THE GRAFTS. 



ENGRAVING OF MY FRAME OF GRAFTED PLANTS. 



I advise the Azalea to be grafted in February and 

 March. 



Where the florist's business is conducted properly, there 

 are certain months for performing the different modes of 

 propagation. The plants from which the wood is taken 

 must be your guide in regard to the proper time. For 

 instance, I am most successful in grafting the Azalea during 

 the months of February or March, when the wood, both 

 graft and stock, is very young. 



I usually work about three thousand plants at this 

 time. 



I also practice grafting at other times during tho year, 

 but in limited quantities, and not with the same success as 

 in the months recommended. 



Most Azaleas seen with fine round symmetrical heads 

 on a bare stem of twelve inches from the pot, are grafted 

 plants. 



Do your grafting of this plant during February and 

 March. At this time the imported kinds will be show'ng 

 their young shoots. The stocks will also be in fine con- 

 dition for this work. The wood being very young, great 

 care must be exercised so as not to allow the young graft 

 to wilt or flag before or after it is worked. 



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