134 



GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT. 



the glass oeing removed on bright days. Thorough 

 ripening is necessary, if the best results are desired. 



When the weather gets cold, they should be placed 

 in a cool greenhouse, or should be packed away in a cool 

 pit, where they should be kept in a dormant condition 

 until January. About twelve weeks will be required to 

 bring them into flower, and the time of starting them 

 will depend upon the date at which Easter, or any other 



FIG. 49. AZALEA WITH AN OPEN HEAD. 



occasion for which they are desired, comes. At first. 

 they should be given 50 to 55 degrees at night ; this may 

 soon be raised to 60 or 65 degrees, and even 70 degrees 

 may be given, if necessary, in order to bring them into 

 bloom in time. After they are thoroughly started, the 

 plants will use a large amount of water and should not 

 be stinted. When they have filled the pots with roots, 

 they should receive liquid manure two or three times a 

 week and a top-dressing of half an inch of well-rotted 



