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DIFFERENT WAYS OF TREATING INDIAN AZALEAS. 
not, in fact, what particular varieties are used, so that they be of a good showy: 
character, and have flowers of one colour, or flowers in which one colour greatly 
predominates. Sometimes, the existence of two colours in one flower will be an 
attraction rather than otherwise, as is the case in the two or three-coloured 
Lupines, Pelargoniums, &c., so frequently seen. Still, the existence of a second 
colour should mostly be in a milder and softer form. 
We should imagine, from the infrequency with which we have noticed the 
adoption of any practice like the present, that it will be regarded as a valuable 
plan, especially by the cultivators round the metropolis. The chances of getting 
a fine display of spring flowers for beds are so doubtful, and the trouble so extreme, 
that a beautiful and permanent and fragrant thing like the Pansy, will be hailed 
as a most admirable substitute for the more fugitive objects in general use. 
We would not, of course, be understood to recommend that the whole of the 
beds of a flower-garden should be filled with pansies, even though it might only 
be for two or three of the first spring months. This would produce a sameness 
for which no amount of ornament could atone. But, where a well-stocked bed of 
a plant like this was scattered pretty liberally over the flower-garden, the more 
imperfectly supplied beds of other objects could be tolerated with far greater 
readiness. And the better classes of annuals, particularly such kinds as Nemophila 
insignis , nearly suffice to make up the deficiency in variety of form. 
: : : 
DIFFERENT WAYS OF TREATING INDIAN AZALEAS. 
Those who have seen the glowing and glorious objects which are annually 
brought to the Chiswick Horticultural Exhibitions, will not be reluctant in 
acknowledging that the varieties of Indian Azalea are capable of being rendered 
more truly ornamental than almost any other class of exotic shrubs whatever, 
The brilliancy of general effect which the specimens so produced occasion, is quite 
amazing to any one who has only witnessed the plants of this class in obscure 
country collections. And the exquisite form of the flowers in such varieties as 
A. indica lateritia , variegata , &c., gives a most perfect finish to their attractiveness: 
But, to the observant eye, it is at once perceptible that the extraordinary 
beauty manifested at these exhibitions, is mainly due to the adoption of a cours( 
of clever management, since the most ordinary, starved, and ragged specimens ar< 
sometimes met with. 
We purpose, then, describing here a few of the practices which render succes: 
so eminent ; and more particularly, the several processes by which such a variety 
of aspect and character is created. 
To take the last-mentioned circumstance alone, we might appeal to any 
attendant at the Shows in question for the verification of our statement, that, ii 
