AZALEA. 



43 



Give them but a small supply of water, though 

 never let the soil get dry, and be sure of good drain- 

 age. The plant is subject to rottenness of the root 

 if the soil becomes sodden through over-watering, 

 while excessive dryness produces yellow and un- 

 healthy foliage. 



Azaleas require about the same temperature as 

 Camellias, or from 40 to 45 degrees at night, and 

 about 65 degrees during the day. 



New plants may be propagated by cuttings, which 

 should be taken off close to the parent stem, in sand 

 under glass, or they may be multiplied by seeds. It 

 would perhaps be as profitable for most people to 

 obtain plants from the florist as to attempt their 

 propagation. 



GENERAL TREATMENT. 



The Azalea is a rapid growing plant and requires 

 frequent shifting, as the roots become pot-bound. 

 Re-pot them as often as the pots are filled with 

 roots. In shifting, first see that the ball of earth 

 is completely moist, and pack the new soil firmly 

 around the old with a small wooden rammer. 



They need only sufficient pruning to keep them 

 in o-ood form. 



o 



Most varieties bloom in May, though by keeping 

 the plants in a cellar and bringing them forward at 

 suitable times a succession of Azaleas may be had 

 in bloom from February to June, each plant remain- 

 ing in flower from three to six weeks. 



