94 AZALEA CULTURE. 



For the culture of the Azalea in the open air, use any 

 good garden soil with a light mixture of sand. 



Have the beds rather elevated or mounded up, so that 

 the water will not lodge about the roots during the winter 

 months. 



As soon as the bloom is over in the spring, trim the 

 plants, cutting back all long branches. 



Keep the plants shapely by using the knife freely. 



Cut out all small twiggy wood : they are only robbing 

 the strong shoots of the nourishment they require. 



The small wood in the centre of the plant produces no 

 flowers, therefore it is of no benefit. 



Treated in the way mentioned they will be an ornament 

 to any grounds, and I think preferable to either the Rhodo- 

 dendrons or Mollis Azalea. Neither of these will stand 

 the summer sun, but will grow best in a thicket. 



Hardy plants which I consider valuable are those which 

 thrive on an open lawn, where their beauty can be seen 

 when in flower. 



