By Mr. William Anderson. 261 



should be scratched off on the under side by the nail, it should 

 be pegged down, and covered with fine sandy peat ; the 

 layers will be rooted in about two months, when they 

 should be cut off from the plant, and be allowed to re- 

 main for eight or ten days, at the expiration of which 

 period they should be put into separate pots, and for 

 some time kept close; afterwards you may expose them 

 gradually to the air. 



To propagate them by cuttings, at the latter end of March, 

 take the tops of the young shoots about half an inch long, 

 cut off two or three of the bottom leaves, and put the 

 cuttings thus prepared, about an inch apart, into fine sand 

 or fine sifted sandy black mould ; cover them close with a 

 small glass, and place them in a cucumber heat ; the soil 

 should be moist when they are put in, and the pot large 

 enough to allow half an inch clear when the glass is on, to 

 admit the necessary waterings, although very little will do ; 

 they will root sooner than the layers, and make the best 

 plants, but I have never been able to strike more than three 

 out of five, for they are very subject to damp off. 



The roots of this plant resemble those of the tender 

 heaths, and the treatment of both is very similar ; I must 

 however observe, that a spare supply of water is of great im- 

 portance in the successful cultivation of the Azalea Indica. 



If the foregoing particulars are deemed worthy the at- 

 tention of the Horticultural Society, it will afford me great 

 satisfaction in having communicated them. 



I remain, Sir, your very obedient Servant, 



William Anderson. 



Chelsea Garden, 

 June 3rd, 181 6. 



