POPULAR GAEDEN PLANTS. 



409 



leaves, and closing the house with the sun 

 upon the glass. In the earlier part of the 

 growing season they do not require so much 

 air, but some must be given every day to 

 impart strength to the wood and leaves. In 

 the early stages of growth they will also want 



Fig. 514.— Pot-grown Azalea, pyramid-shaped. 



slightly shading in sunny weather; but this 

 must riot be overdone, or it will make the 

 leaves thin and weak. As growth approaches 

 completion and the buds are formed, give more 

 air, reduce the moisture in the atmosphere, and 

 dispense with shading. For plants that have 

 flowered late it will be necessary to use fire-heat 

 later, as also in the northern parts of the king- 

 dom during sunless weather in the summer. 

 In favourable localities in the southern parts 

 of the kingdom Azaleas may be turned out-of- 

 doors with decided advantage after the growth 

 has become hardened. A warm sunny spot 

 should be chosen so as to thoroughly ripen the 

 wood. 



Watering. — From the time, early in the spring, 

 when the plants begin to push out young growth 

 before flowering, all through the blooming season, 

 and whilst growing, they must be well supplied 



with water at the roots, giving less during their 

 time of rest. If watered too freely early in the 

 season there will be a tendency in the stronger- 

 growing kinds to push early woody shoots at 

 the expense of the flower-buds. 



Insects. — Azaleas are liable to suffer from the 

 attacks of thrips and red spider. If these pests 

 get possession they do great harm, injuring the 

 leaves, causing their premature falling off', and 

 affecting the colour and size of the flowers. 

 Two or three fumigations on consecutive even- 

 ings will stop the thrips; whilst by a free use 

 of the syringe both these and the red spider 

 may be kept under. 



Selection of the Best Varieties: — 



A. Borsig. White, wax-like, fine form, semi-double. 



Alba (indica alba). For cutting, still one of the best. 



Amoena. Purplish-crimson, good forcer. 



Arnoena Caldwelli. A form with larger flowers. 



Apollo. Magnificent white, striped, large. 



Baron N. de Rothschild. Rich purple, very free, double. 



Bernhard Andreas. Dark-purple, semi-double. 



Brilliant. Orange-scarlet, a late bloomer. 



Calyciflora. Salmon-red hose-in-hose small flowers. 



Cedo Nulli. Crimson, one of the darkest. 



Charles Leir ens. Dark-salmon, semi-double, good forcer. 



Charles Van der Bank. Dark-purple, very free. 



Charmer. Bright-amaranth, good substance and form. 



Criterion. Blush-pink, spotted in upper segments. 



Deutsche Perle. The finest double white ; reliable forcer. 



Dr. Livingstone. Deep rose-purple, large. 



Due de Nassau. Large, dark-purple, a profuse bloomer. 



Empress of India. Rosy - salmon, edged white, semi- 

 double. 



Flag of Truce. Pure- white; double; one of the best. 



Flambeau. Deep-crimson, very distinct. 



Flower of the Day. White, with rose stripes. 



James Veitch. Scarlet, in the way of Stella. 



Jean Vervaene. Rich salmon, striped white. 



Madame J. Vervaene. Delicate-rose, margined white. 



Madame L. Van Houtte. White, flaked rose and scarlet. 



Madame Van der Cruyssen. Rose, dark spot on upper 

 petals. 



Madeleine. Semi-double, pure-white. 



Magnet. Deep rosy -pink; free. 



Mars. Orange-red, spotted with crimson. 



Mrs. Turner. Bright-rose, margined white, good forcer. 



Narcissa?flora. Early double white, lasting well. 



Obtusa. Similar to Amoena, flowers orange-scarlet. 



Obtusa alba. A white form. 

 PharaildcMathildc. White, striped cerise, large, double. 



President 0. de Kerchove. Salmon-pink, spotted, double. 



Peine de Portugal. White, double ; excellent for forcing. 



Poi de Hollande. Deep-crimson, spotted black; excel- 

 lent habit. 



Poi des Beiges. Scarlet, feathered with carmine, large. 



Sigismond Pucker. Bright-salmon, with white edge. 



Souvenir du Prince Albert. Double, deep-rose, edged 

 white. 



Stella. Orange-scarlet and purple spotted. 



Vcrvacncana. Bright -pink, margined white, semi- 

 double. 



Vittata. White, flaked violet; earl v. 



[J. H.] 



