1 ne ^jjuiea. 



95 



plants combine good foliage, neat habit, and brilliant and fragrant flowers, 

 which vary greatly in color and size, and are freely produced even on very 

 small plants. Of both the hardy and tender kinds there are single and 

 double varieties, though the double flowers lack the grace and beauty of 

 the single. 



All the species are of the easiest culture, are subject to few diseases, and 

 are seldom attacked by insects. 



The subject of our illustration is a variety of the greenhouse azalea 

 (A. indicd). 



These plants require the same culture as camellias. The soil should be 

 a mixture of three parts sandy peat, and one part light loam. During the 

 summer, the plants should be placed in the shade (but not under the drip 

 of trees), out of doors, and receive moderate watering. They are, at this 

 season, at rest. Before the autumn frosts, they should be removed to the 

 greenhouse, and receive plenty of air in fine weather, and moderate water- 

 ing. As the flower-buds begin to swell, the heat should be increased, and 

 more water given. As the flowers fade, growth begins ; which should be 

 encouraged by never allowing the plants to suffer for water, or be exposed 

 to cold draughts. As the growth matures, give more air, and expose the plants 

 to full sunshine, that they may set flower-buds ; and, when all danger of 

 frost is over, remove them out-doors for the summer. Azaleas should be 

 potted in the autumn, or before they begin to grow : if, however, care is 

 used, they may be repotted at any season, except when in active growth. 



The various species and varieties vary much in their season of blooming ; 

 and, by a little attention, some plants may be had in bloom almost every 

 month in the year, as they force well, and can easily be retarded. The 

 plants can be trained into almost any shape ; and brilliant globes, pyramids, 

 or heads of bloom, be obtained, which will be a mass of blossoms, the foli- 

 age being completely hidden by the flowers. Propagation is easily effected 

 by taking cuttings about two or three inches long of the young shoots : 

 insert them in sandy peat with about an inch of silver sand on the surface 

 of the pot, cover with a bell-glass, and keep them in a temperature of about 

 sixty degrees in the shade. When they are rooted, gradually harden them 

 off by removing the glass, and accustoming them to a lower temperature ; 

 pot them off", and treat as old plants. 



