CHAPTER XIV. 



GRAFTING AZALEAS FOR AMATEUR CULTURE, ETC. ENGRAVING 



OF BELL GLASS FOR AMATEURS. 



There are few plants that add more beauty to the 

 amateur's conservatory than grafted Azaleas, with heads of 

 perhaps fifteen inches in diameter, on a bare stem twelve to 

 fifteen inches from the pot, or those that are grown from 

 cuttings which will be low and bushy from the pot up, 

 covered so profusely with flowers that the foliage is scarcely 

 seen. 



I cannot understand why it is, that among so many 

 amateur growers, and those who have private greenhouses, 

 there are so few who have shown a preference for some of 

 the improved varieties of this plant. 



The old Phoenicia, a miserable common purple, and 

 many others just as worthless, will be found in almost every 

 greenhouse. 



Azaleas are not difficult to propagate or grow, neither 

 is the price high, considering the time and care bestowed 

 upon them by the grower. 



Blooming plants can be bought at any establishment, 

 for from fifty cents and upwards, according to the size. 



A plant from three to five years old, with fine heads, 

 and such that will produce one hundred or more flowers, 

 will cost from one dollar and fifty cents to three dollars 

 each, or fifteen to twenty dollars a dozen. Plants this size 

 will be very ornamental to the conservatory. 



66 



