STOVE AND GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 15 



monly grown. It is said that A. lurida is tiardy as far North as Phila- 

 delphia. 



ASPLENIUM— See Ferns. 



AZALEA — Indian Azaleas used so extensively for Winter and Spring 

 flowering are European grown. They arrive in the Fall in wonderfully 

 good condition, as a rule. 



The Newly Imported Plants— These should not be potted in the first 

 kind of soil that comes to hand; rather choose that which is as far as 

 possible like the material in which they have been grown. Firm potting 

 is very very important. The rootlets are exceedingly fine and they make 

 but little progress in loose soil when in pots. Examine the roots care- 

 fully before potting, and if the balls are at all dry, stand them in a tub of 

 water until wet through; allow to drain, then pot. This treatment 

 should be given to all plants of the same family, such as Andromedas, 

 Kalmias, Ericas, Epacris and Rhododendrons, as they all have roots of 

 the same nature. For the first week or two after potting put the plants 

 in a deep frame with the sash kept on ; and for those which are meant 

 for later flowering this frame, if frost can be kept out of it, will be the 

 proper place to Winter the plants. 



Removing Side Growths — Azalea plants which for forcing purposes are 

 in a comparatively high temperature, and otherwise under conditions 

 with which they are unaccustomed, will push out growths at the bases 

 of the flower buds; especially is this the case with plants the roots of 

 which are in perfect order. This tendency is shown less earlier in the 

 season than lateron, but whenever it does occur, the sooner the growths 

 are removed the better are the chances for the perfect development of 

 the flowers. 



Treatment During Summer — Azalea plants left unsold in Spring will 

 increase in value if they are properly handled during the Summer 

 months. It pays to grow on imported Azaleas, from small plants into 

 big ones, because, when lifted in the Fall, they are equally as good as, if 

 not better than, imported plants for general use, and much better for 

 forcing. About the beginning of May stand the plants which have been 

 in the greenhouse in a cold frame or a sheltered spot outside, to gradu- 

 ally harden them off previous to putting them in the ground, so that 

 when that operation is performed they will not get chilled at the roots. 

 In a few days prepare a bed for them; dig a trench of sufficient size for 

 the balls, keeping the sizes together. Scatter a couple of inches of leaf 

 mould and sand in the trench; knock the plants out of their pots, if 

 necessary reduce the balls a little; place in the trench, fill in with a mix- 

 ture of leaf soil, sand and loam, ramming it firm around them. Some 

 lath slats on very hot days, pinchings when necessary and frequent 

 waterings with the hose, will be all that is required for the next five 

 months. At the expiration of that time they will have ripened their 

 growth for the season, when they may be lifted and the balls reduced in 

 size so as to go comfortably into the proper-sized pots. 



BEGONIA— This genus is a deservedly popular one, as it possesses 

 numerous specie* aud varieties, useful either as greenhouse, window or 



