56 
SEEDLING CHINESE AZALEAS. 
I 
in large clusters, and is decidedly a much superior kind. It was produced a* 
the nursery of Messrs. Knight and Perry, a few years ago, together wit 
Broughtonii^ and many others, from a quantity of seeds, gathered almost pro: 
miscuously from most of the principal sorts in general cultivation. The latte! 
was named in compliment to Sir John Broughton, in whose collection the famil 
exhibits manifest marks of the attention and excellent management bestowed upoi 
it. Optima is also an English seedling, obtained, we believe, in a privat 
collection, and purchased exclusively by the same establishment. 
To manage these plants well, they ought to be potted in rougher material 
than the fine, sandy heath-soil they commonly obtain, and a portion of leaf-soi 
assists vastly in improving their general appearance, especially in the deepenei! 
verdure of their leaves. They require copious supplies of water in spring ; and oL 
plants, whilst growing, receive visible benefit from well-diluted liquid manure 
given about every third watering. A frame, or pit, where a moist, shade(|j 
atmosphere can be preserved, is the best place at that time ; but later in tl4 
season, they should be gradually brought to a full exposure in the sun, and a fre 
play of air, to mature their shoots and enable them to make provision for nexjj 
season'*s bloom. Further directions will be found in detail at page 160 of ou 
last year’s volume. 
