CHAPTER VIII. 



Azaleas. (Azalea Indica.) 



As a rule, the azaleas used by the florist are im- 

 ported from Europe. They are obtained in the fall, and 

 should be potted at once and placed in a cool room, 

 where they can be shaded for the first few days. While 

 they should be watered sparingly at first, the frequent 

 syringing of the plants should not be neglected. Dur- 

 ing the winter the plants should be kept in a cool house, 

 and will need careful attention in watering, ventilating 

 and fumigating. The amount of heat they will require 

 will depend upon their condition, and the time the 

 flowers are needed ; as a rule, 40 to 45 degrees at night, 

 and ten degrees higher during the day, will be satisfac- 

 tory. As the principal call for these plants is at Easter, 

 most of them should be brought into flower at that time, 

 but by taking a little pains to accelerate some plants and 

 retard others, their development will be so distributed 

 that they can be had in bloom for several months. 

 AVhile in flower, if in a cool house they will last longer. 

 After flowering, they should not be neglected, as, if they 

 are not given proper attention at this time, they will not 

 make a satisfactory growth, and flower buds will not be 

 formed. They should be kept in a partially shaded 

 house until the middle or last of May, when, if settled 

 weather has come, they should be plunged in some par- 

 tially protected, but unshaded, place in light, well- 

 drained soil. Marsh hay, or some similar material, will 

 be desirable as a mulch to keep the roots cool and, 

 unless they have been repotted, a thin covering of rotted 



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