THE INDIAN AZALEA. 
373 
leaves ; and when a branch is turned out of 
its natural position it will do so for days. Look 
well to watering ; sow seed if not sown before. 
April. — Many flowers are now opening, 
and seedlings which do not bloom are growing 
fast ; look to shifting all that require it, which 
can be told by taking one or two out of the 
pot, the ball of earth being kept entire. The 
blooming plants must now be shaded from the 
extreme heat of the sun, as it would hasten 
the flowers too much, and make their period 
of perfection very short. Turn all the naturally 
grown plants daily, that the light may have 
equal influence all round ; look well to the 
watering. 
May. — The plants are now in perfection of 
bloom, and require only shading and watering 
to keep them so as long as possible. Seedling 
plants will keep on growing, and may require 
removing to larger pots ; they nday be taken 
from the greenhouse to the pits or frames at 
the end of the month, and have all the air 
that can be given them. The seed sown in 
February will be up, and perhaps large enough 
to prick out, for they should be put out as 
soon as they are large enough to handle well. 
They should, after pricking out, have a hand- 
glass put over them, although they are in the 
greenhouse. Select the best, and throw 
away the useless varieties among blooming 
seedlings. 
June. — Prick out seedlings, remove the 
plants that have done blooming into the shade 
and shelter. If the form of the plant requires 
any correction, use the knife. If the branches 
are too thick, there may be here and there one 
removed. The decayed blooms may be all 
picked off, unless the seed is wanted, in which 
case the plant may be put out of doors just as 
it is. The plant will grow fast, and when 
any of the branches are too vigorous, shorten 
or stop them, because as the plant is allowed 
to form so it sets its bloom, and any alteration 
then'removes the flowers. 
July. — Attend to the advancing seedlings. 
They must not be too wet ; but by no means 
must they be neglected, as a short time with- 
out necessary moisture would kill them. The 
hand-glass may be removed from the small 
seedlings in the greenhouse, as they will 
require air. Attend to the necessary shifting 
of growing plants. The larger plants have 
made a good deal of their growth, and require 
great attention to the watering. 
August. — Continue the treatment of last 
month. Keep the established plants that 
have now made their growth, or nearly so, in 
a cool place still. Shift all the seedlings that 
may want it ; and if the young seedlings are 
large enough, pot them off in sixty sized pots, 
one in a pot. Pick the seed pots, if ripe. 
September. — The plants may now be 
placed in their winter quarters. The surface 
of the earth should be stirred, and a little 
fresh earth be put with it to fill the pots up 
properly, and they must have only as much 
water as will keep a little moisture in the 
compost. This must not be done by giving 
little at a time, but by doing it less frequently. 
The seedlings as last month. Pot off all that 
are not already potted. 
October. — No plants require much less 
care in winter. Keep them from frost and 
excess of wet, and they are almost sure to do 
well. Deep pits, or the greenhouse, will do 
for the largest, a common frame will do for the 
smaller ones, and the shelves at the top of the 
greenhouse will do for the young seedlings. 
November. — Nothing more than giving 
plenty of air, little water, and keeping them 
clean, are now required by the Azaleas. Seed- 
lings that are growing very fast will require 
examining occasionally to see that the roots do 
not fill the pot, and to give them timely shifts 
into those of a larger size. The frames and 
pits should be kept dry and clean, free from 
dead leaves and weeds. 
December. — Continue last month s treat- 
ment, attending to the wants of seedlings in 
small pots, because they soon dry and damage ; 
change their pots as often as they require it, 
and keep them growing. The greenhouse is 
an excellent temperature in general for seed- 
lings that have not arrived at blooming size 
and age, for they keep growing all through 
the winter. 
DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF INDIAN AZALEAS. 
The blooms of the varieties of Azalea in- 
dica are usually more or less spotted on the 
upper segment of the flower, sometimes on the 
three upper ones. Most of the annexed de- 
scriptions have been taken from plants pro- 
duced at the different metropolitan exhibitions. 
Agnesii ; colour light scarlet, slightly 
spotted ; flowers small, with broadish segments. 
Alba com/pacta ; colour white ; flower 
moderate size, of good form ; better than ledi- 
folia. 
Alba magniflora ; colour white, delicately 
marked with a few streaks of rosy purple ; 
flowers large, with rather long segments. 
Armosa ; colour light rose, very slightly 
spotted ; flowers large, with broadish seg- 
ments, but not forming a compact flower. 
Aurantia major ; colour light coppery red ; 
flowers large and loose. 
Beauty of Meigate ; colour white; some- 
what streaked and blotched with red ; flowers 
above medium size, with broad short segments, 
forming a circular outline to the flower : a 
good variety, but hardly distinct enough in 
colour from Gledstanesii. 
