158 
THE AZALEA. 
After these remarks, which may prove somewhat instructive and pertinent to 
cultivators who have watched with pain the languishing condition of their plants, 
though treated with anxious solicitude, we recur to our article, and in the next 
section find the Indian species, which form the chief ohject of our inquiry. 
" Section IV. Flowers entirely destitute of glutinous hairs. Stamens short. 
Corollas bell-shaped." Species 10. Azalea sinensis, introduced from China by Mr. 
Wells of Redleaf in 1826. Flowers yellow, and much resemble, as does the habit 
(semi-deciduous) of the plant, the yellow Pontic Azalea (species 5, above). 11. 
Azalea indica, white; variety, 1. brick-red (phcenicea), 2. double purple or pale 
lilac, 3. variegated. 12. Azalea ledifolia. Far. white, purple, red. 
" There exists a number of most beautiful hybrid kinds which could not be 
referred to any of the wild species. They have been chiefly raised at Ghent, or at 
Highclere in Hampshire. Their parents have been some deep-coloured variety of 
A. periclymena, or calendulacea, — and A. pontica on the other hand : the former 
giving colour and fragrance, the latter size, &c." 
Treatment of the Indian or tender Azaleas. — " China, their native country, is 
subject to a long period of dry or cold weather, when vegetation continues torpid ; 
but during the growing season, the air is most remarkably mild and moist, with 
brilliant sunshine. The cultivator must adapt his practice to this natural state of 
things, by growing the Azaleas rapidly when they are growing, and afterwards 
allowing them to take a long rest. For this purpose, he should commence forcing 
them gradually in a temperature of 50 or 55° during the month of January, keep- 
ing them gently moist. In February his heat should be increased ; and as vegeta- 
tion becomes more active, moisture should be more freely applied, along with a very 
small quantity of liquid manure : the heat should never exceed 75° or 80° till the 
flowers have expanded, after which, the plants should be kept growing till June or 
J uly, when watering should be discontinued, except at intervals, and they should 
be allowed to sink into rest ; in which state they are to remain till the succeeding 
January, great care being taken that during the whole growing time they are fully 
exposed to light, and that as much air as possible is given to them." 
The foregoing remarks bear evidence of the analogical reasoning of a reflecting 
philosophical mind ; yet sure we are, that in our climate, where plants are under 
glass, and subject to a treatment, the routine of which is, of necessity, subversive 
of the order of nature, — he who endeavours to square his practice by that order 
will very frequently find himself baffled and perplexed. "We have observed Azaleas 
exposed under a north wall in autumn, drop their leaves in succession so soon as 
they were introduced to the house in November. "While others kept always under 
glass, in moist shady pits, have maintained a strong and deep verdure. 
In re-potting, prior to starting them into growth, our author recommends, most 
justly, great care of the delicate hair-like roots ; and that, if it be needful to remove 
any old soil, rather to wash, " than to break it off in the rude manner too usually 
practised by gardeners who are ignorant of the principles of the operations which 
