AZALEA CULTURE. 67 



In many collections, where this plant is not grown for 

 profit, will be found not only miserable varieties, but often 

 long, straggling looking plants of some of the more im- 

 proved kinds, that have become so through neglect to prune. 

 These can be gotten in shape by using the knife freely, just 

 after they have flowered. They will form new shoots from 

 both the old and young wood. 



Trim the worthless kind, in any collection, up to one 

 straight stem, and, during the months of July and August, 

 inarch some of the more improved kinds on them, and in 

 two or three years you will have a fine variety with good 

 heads. 



Former chapters will show how amateurs should graft, 

 also ho\v to grow the cuttings for stocks. 



When there is a limited quantity to be grafted, use a 

 bell glass in place of a frame, as figure 30 represents. This 

 glass will accommodate twelve grafted plants ; the stocks 

 are one year old in two-inch pots. 



Use only the tip ends of the shoots for grafts, and also 

 the tip ends of the stock where the graft is to be inserted. 

 The engraving in the chapter on 

 grafting will show how to cut and 

 bandage. 



It will be only a few days before 

 they unite, and in three or four weeks 

 the bell glass can be removed. About 

 the third week give some air to harden 

 the young grafts, so that they will not 



Fig. 30- w jit when the covering is taken off. 



Bell glass with grafted . 



plants. Grafting will be found very 



