CHAPTER XXI. 



LIQUID MANURE, LIME WATER, ETC., FOR THE AZALEA. 



If you wish to be a successful cultivator of this plant, 

 never use stimulants of any kind, such as liquid manures, 

 fertilizers, &c. I find them in no way beneficial. Give 

 plenty of clean water to the roots when dry, and with 

 frequent syringing over head, they can be grown to perfec- 

 tion. 



Give this plant, or the Camellia, liquid manure water, 

 and it will cause them to make rapid growth. They will 

 grow when they should be forming buds. Plants which 

 are grown in this way will not have strength enough to 

 hold up their own foliage without the aid of stakes. 



Both the Azalea and Camellia should be grown so 

 as not to require any artificial support. 



Lime water is beneficial for this, as well as all other 

 plants which are only re-potted once a year, and many only 

 once in three and five years. 



The soil often becomes sour from worms, caused by 

 over-watering or imperfect drainage 



Plants will not thrive in such soil. Their roots will 

 soon decay, and the tops will soon follow, and they will 

 have a yellow and sickly appearance. 



To keep the ground sweet and free from worms, water 

 three times a year with lime water. Give the plant 

 sufficient to wet every root and fiber, and the hard-wooded 

 plants will be in a good condition. Syringe the foliage four 



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