140 JPe attJCH's 



only in opals, sunset skies, and the flush of au- 

 tumn woods. I admit that the rhododendron is 

 magnificent where it can be acclimated ; but, even 

 in England and on the Continent, it is exceeded 

 in gorgeousness by the azalea. Then, its deli- 

 cious, uncloying perfume why does not Piesse 

 embody it in an essence? Its common name, 

 swamp pink brings up its odor and its flame. 

 A bed of azaleas with a foil of dark green is a 

 sight worth going miles to see, and an acquisi- 

 tion worth obtaining at any price of peat and 

 culture. The Ghent nursery-men who have de- 

 veloped its hues should receive a medal of rubies, 

 topazes, and zircons, executed by a Cellini. 



To the crossing of our common American 

 species, nudiflora, calendulacea, and viscosa, 

 with A. Pontica of southern Europe, and then 

 selecting the best varieties raised from the seed 

 of these crosses, we owe the so-called Ghent 

 azalea. A. mollis, the Japanese and Chinese 

 form, has been equally improved through hybrid- 

 ization and selection; these are smaller plants, 

 with larger flowers. The azalea will not thrive 

 in limestone soil, but should be grown in peat, 

 or leaf-mold mixed with garden-soil, the soil well 

 firmed about the plants. In the latitude of the 

 lower lake region they require winter protec- 

 tion. With the azalea should be associated the 



