AZALEA PULCHRA. J27 
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their being turned out of doors, and treat them like other greenhouse plants, merely 
giving them a good supply of air and water. 
8. When the young shoots are from four to six inches long, they are best cal- 
culated for cuttings. Take them off after the plants are removed to the green- 
house ; separate each cutting close to the old wood from whence they start, trim off 
no leaves but those which grow" on that part intended to be inserted in the pot. 
They must be planted in either sand or light soil, the former is the best ; plunge 
the pots in a little heat, and place a hand-glass over them, and in the course of a 
fortnight or three weeks they will strike root. 
9. When they have struck root, transplant with balls into single pots, filled with 
the same compost recommended for the old plants, and again plunge them in a little 
heat until they have begun to grow, after which they may be removed to the green- 
house, and be treated like other greenhouse plants. 
10. Many of the greenhouse species and varieties will bear a good degree of 
cold, and will thrive very well if planted under the wall of a stove, greenhouse, or 
other warm situation ; but in v/inter they must be sheltered by mats from the 
effects of frost. The Indicci Phcenicea flowers most beautifully when planted out 
in the border of a conservatory ; it will there grow from four to six feet high, with 
a good supply of water and slight shade. 
11. Hardy species and varieties require little care ; they may either be grown 
on beds or otherwise, to suit the fancy of the cultivator. Always select for them a 
situation somewhat shady and rather damp, but by no means one where water 
stagnates, unless a good drainage be laid underneath. 
12. In all dry summers a good supply of water is advantageous, though not indis- 
pensable, but plants so treated always thrive more than under other circumstances. 
13. Some of the species produce abundance of seed, which may be sown in pans 
or pots as soon as gathered ; place them in a shady situation, and keep them rather 
moist, until they vegetate. 
14. As soon as they are of a sufficient size, transplant them into other pots, and 
place them under glass, and slightly shaded until they have again started. Then 
expose them by degrees, until they are hardy enough to be planted out. 
15. The hardy species and varieties are also readily propagated by layers and 
cuttings. The branches in layering merely require pegging down without any 
tongue, and a regular supply of moisture administered. The cuttings may be taken 
off precisely in the same manner as recommended for the greenhouse species and 
varieties ; but instead of planting in pots, they may be planted under a hand-glass 
on a shady border. 
The Azalea is scarcely separable from Rhododendron with regard to the number 
of stamens ; some seedlings raised from Azaleas with only five stamens, have them- 
selves possessed ten, and even more, whilst seedlings raised from Rhododendrons 
have had less than ten stamens, and in other respects have very nearly resembled 
Azaleas. 
The generic name is given from the natural habitation of the plants, many of the 
North American species growing in dry steep declivities, or on dry plains, where 
for a long time they can scarcely receive any moisture. 
