HORTICULTURAL JOURNAL. 329 . 



AZALEAS. 



These are the most valuable of all greenhouse plants for the 

 amateur cultivator, being easy of cultivation, and affording a rich 

 display of flowers during winter and the early spring months, and 

 that too, without any great degree of artificial heat. Natives of the 

 Chinese hills they are not injured by being subjected to a few de- 

 grees of frost if the wood is ripe and the plants in a state of rest. 

 Their roots, like those of the Rhododendron, are very small 3 tender 

 and fibry, requiring a regular supply of water; at the same time air 

 must find ready access to the roots. In potting a plant requiring 

 these conditions, proper efficient drainage must be secured, the soil 

 should also be of a porous free kind. A fibry loam, mixed with 

 clear sand and small charcoal will answer this purpose. The quan- 

 tities of sand and charcoal dust necessary, will depend on the na- 

 ture of the loam. If clayey a good portion will be requisite to 

 counteract the adhesiveness. It is difficult to convey an accurate 

 idea of the kind of soil to be used, the term loam being so indefinite/ 

 embracing soils of widely different quality. A good criterion is to 

 press a handful of it when in a half dry state, and throw it down, 

 if it breaks and crumbles up, it will be in a fit state for use, but if 

 it remains hard and lumpy, more of these corrective materials 

 should be added. 



Spring is the most convenient and suitable season for repotting, 

 just before they commence growth. The only season that they re- 

 quire particular care is while they are making p, growth. • During 

 this they must be carefully watered and kept in a moist, somewhat 

 shady, and warm atmosphere. This can easily be afforded them in 

 a greenhouse by placing them all together where they can. be fre- 

 quently syringed, and slightly shaded from intense sun. Water 

 must be carefully administered, those that are fresh potted will not 

 require so frequent applications as those that have filled the pots 

 with roots. I would here cautio^i the amateur against the extensive 

 use of so-called peat soil. Much of the material that goes under this 

 name is unfit for the growth of any plant, being for the most part 

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