400 BRECK’S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 
after, and introduced into nearly every pleasure-ground in 
Belgium. 
The varieties of this handsome genus are very numer- 
ous and have been raised in a short period. Twenty 
years since there were only a very few moderate species, 
having small, insignificant flowers, in large clusters, con- 
tinuing through the month of June. The colors are 
white, yellow, orange, scarlet, and pink, with every inter- 
mediate shade, , 
Notwithstanding the exceeding beauty of this tribe of 
shrubs, and their perfect hardiness, they are rarely to be 
seen in our gardeus. 
Azaleas require a moist, peaty soil, or black, sandy 
loam, and rather shady situation. Plants may be freely 
raised from seed, or from layers and suckers. 
If taken from the woods, the best way is to cut them 
off close to the ground. They will throw up numerous 
shoots and form fine healthy plants. 
BENZOIN.—Fever Busz. 
[So named from the resemblance of its odor to that of the drug Benzoin.] 
Benzoin odoriferum.—This was formerly called Laurus 
Benzoin, by botanists, and is popularly known as Fever 
Bush. It is a graceful shrub, from four to ten feet high, 
with large and handsome leaves. In April or early in 
May, clusters of from three to six flowers, of a green- 
ish yellow color appear in the axils of last year’s 
leaves, The fruit is berry-like, of an oval shape, and 
dark-red or purple. All parts of the plant have a strong 
aromatic odor which, to some persons, is disagreeable. 
Common in damp woods, where it grows most vigorously, 
but does not flower and fruit as freely there as in more 
exposed situations, 
