HARDY SHRUBS 297 



In the greenhouse is cultivated the Indian Azalea, A. indica, which 

 is discussed on page 68. Allied to the latter species is A. amoena, 

 a rosy purple flowering sort which is usually double. 



Propagation and Culture. Most of the Azaleas have been 

 imported from Europe, because the climate of the United States 

 is rather too hot and labor is expensive. However, the Azaleas 

 may be raised from seeds, cuttings, grafting and layers. The seeds 

 are sown in a mixture of sand and peat, in the Spring. They re- 

 quire plenty of moisture supplied as a syringe and a good circulation 

 of air. Cuttings should be taken about the beginning of November; 

 at that time numerous strong shoots with small rosettes of leaves 

 on the ends will be found above the main body of the bush. These 

 make the best cuttings; lengths of about 4 inches will suffice. They 

 should be inserted close together in the sand bed of a cool house. 

 The roots which they emit are exceedingly fine. Previous to pot- 

 ting, if watered well before lifting, a small quantity of sand will 

 adhere to the roots. The plants should be potted in the smallest- 

 sized pots, using finely sifted sandy soil, with at least half of its bulk 

 leafmold or peat. 



The finer and slower growing kinds are propagated by grafting 

 on the strong growing varieties, and also on some species of Rho- 

 dodendron. This is done in Winter and also when the growth is 

 ripe later in the year. Some of the strong growing forms, especially 

 those having single white and red flowers, are, however, hardy, and 

 for planting out they may be propagated by cuttings. Plants raised 

 in this way have a more natural appearance than when grown as 

 standards, in which shape they are usually imported. The cuttings 

 should be put in the sand of a cool propagating house by the middle 

 of August; the roots being small will need fine soil of a peaty nature 

 for the first potting. In this operation use clean thumb pots; put 

 the pots in water before using so as to absorb as much as possible. 

 Instead of placing the rooted cutting in the middle of the pot put 

 it at the side; this will facilitate rooting. At the next potting it is 

 an easy matter to have the plant in the center of the pot. In plant- 

 ing out of doors it must be remembered that they will not stand 

 drought, so they must not be left to take care of themselves. The 

 soil should be prepared to a depth of at least 18 inches. It may 

 consist of loam, leafmold and sand, in about equal parts. The 

 plants should be planted moderately close together so that the foli- 

 age will keep the sun from the soil; but to insure moisture they should 

 always be mulched during Spring and Summer, and frequently 



