AZALEA CULTURE. 



59 



the old and young wood. This will not in any way inter- 

 fere with the flowering of the plant the coming season. 



Water plants of this size and age when dry at the roots, 

 giving them enough to wet every root and fiber. 



When the soil is dry it will have a white appearance. 



Syringe often, never less than once a day. 



They are subject to red spider, thrip, &c. 



I have yet to see a collection of Azaleas that are entirely 

 free from these pests during the months of March and 

 April, just before they are put in the open air. If syring. 

 ing is attended to properly, they will not be found in such 

 large quantities as to cause the plant to be unhealthy. 

 They will all disappear soon after being brought out in the 

 open air. Heat and moisture are sure death to these insects. 

 (See chapter on insects.) 



During the months of March and April, while the Aza- 

 leas are under glass, it will be necessary to have the glass 

 partly shaded, to keep the strong rays of the sun from 

 burning the young foliage. Do not put a dark cover over 

 them, as is often done. 



All plants require light, the same as human beings, but 

 not the strong rays of the sun between the hours of 10 

 a.m. and 3 p.m. 



To exclude the rays of the sun use a wash for the glass 

 of linseed oil and turpentine ; this will be sufficient 

 shade. 



Figure 28 represents a well grown and finely shaped 

 plant of Indica Alba, grown from a cutting. 



This plant measures five feet in height, and four feet in 

 diameter. It will produce one thousand or more flowers 



