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POPULAR GARDEN BOTANY. 



every greenhouse : it is a moderate-sized shrub, with rather 

 small leaves ; the flowers large and solitary, the corolla deep 

 rose-colour, the tube obtusely five-angled, and gradually 

 widening into a five-lobed, spreading limb, much waved 

 and crested at the edge ; it produces these fine flowers in 

 April. Another from China, A. amcena, brought by Mr. 

 Fortune, will probably soon be hardy, but at present it re- 

 quires the shelter of the house : the flowers are small, but 

 very numerous, and are remarkable for having the calyx 

 very large and coloured like the corolla, which is of a rich 

 purple tinged with crimson. In cultivating the Azalea, 

 sandy peat, very well drained pots, and an airy greenhouse 

 are indispensable, and they should not be over-watered, 

 though they droop if permitted to be dry; in summer they 

 are the better for exposure to the open air, but sheltered 

 from the full sun. It is considered a good plan to give these 

 plants increased heat for a time, after they have quite done 

 flowering, to cause the formation of flower-buds for the next 

 season ; after this, they may be hardened. Azaleas are 

 raised by cuttings, planted in sand, on a peat soil, covered 

 with a bell-glass, and plunged into a moderate hotbed. 



