286 GENERAL REVIEW. 



which have originated in this manner. Seeds are readily pro- 

 duced by most of the single varieties if fertilised artificially. 

 Any two striking varieties may be crossed, and as a rule 

 seed germinates freely sown in pots or pans, plunged in a 

 genial bottom-heat. Hybrids between A. indica and one of 

 the yellow-flowered species are much to be desired. Some 

 years ago, indeed, they were considered as likely to form the 

 types of a new race remarkable for their ample flowers and 

 brilliant colours, Mr Smith of Norbiton having succeeded in 

 obtaining a race of seedlings between Rhododendron ponticum 

 and Azalea smensis, these having yellow flowers, but larger 

 and brighter than those of the last-named parent (see Her- 

 bert's ' Amaryllidaceae,' p. 359). M. Souchet also succeeded 

 in obtaining a hybrid from Azalea Damelsii fertilised with 

 pollen from a Rhododendron ; and Azalea Comte de Hainault, 

 a variety having double flowers of a carmine colour, is said 

 to be a hybrid between A. indica fertilised with the pollen 

 of a Rhododendron. These two genera offer a wide field of 

 labour to the intelligent hybridist, as the species and forms of 

 each are so diverse and so easily cultivated. 



A very fine double-flowered white variety named " Flag of 

 Truce " was sent out by Messrs Smith of Dulwich, about five 

 years ago, and double and semi-double forms are now common ; 

 and such varieties as " Imbricata," " Borsig," and others, are 

 better adapted for cut flowers than the single kinds, as the 

 flowers last longer and are more persistent. These varieties 

 are easily propagated by splice-grafting on seedling stocks. 

 It is singular to note that while the origin of double Azaleas is 

 comparatively recent in our gardens, a double rosy variety 

 of Azalea sinensis was introduced from China in 1819 (see 

 * Bot. Mag.,' t. 2509. This bore clusters of bright rosy flowers, 

 and would be now highly esteemed by many as a decorative 

 plant. A. Caldwellii was obtained by Messrs Caldwell by cross- 

 ing A. amcena with A. indica. " W. Carmichael," " Mrs Car- 

 michael," are varieties raised by Mr Carmichael, and are the 

 result of crossing A. indica " Stella " with the bright purple 

 early-flowering A. amonna. These hybrids made their appear- 

 ance in 1875, and the two last were sent out by Mr B. S. 

 Williams. 



A year or two ago Mr W. Tillery, writing to the ' Florist,' 

 says: " I was successful with a cross between Rhododendron 

 Aucklandii and the Azalea indica "Stella," making "Stella" 

 the female parent. The pollen from the short anthers of 

 Aucklandii was used in this cross. I have young plants 

 now (1874) growing vigorously from the seeds so produced, 



