116 
THE FLOEIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
with a few to begin with ; if they should be lost by any mishap they are 
more easiiv replaced than a large number. The second point is—begin with 
small plants in preference to large, remembering that if you cannot grow a good 
plant you certainly cannot keep one. The third point is to obtain the plants 
while in bloom, unless you can depend implicitly on the good name of the 
dealer. If you have them in bloom you have the evidence of your own eyes, 
and know that your sorts are good and true to name. So much for getting 
the plants. If the plants are obtained when in bloom, keep them in a cool 
greenhouse, and slightly shaded from the sun. This will prolong the period of 
flowering as long as possible. When the blooming is entirely over, keep the 
plants rather dry for a week or fortnight, being careful not to over-dry them. 
This will prevent them starting into that vigorous growth which is sometimes 
seen, but is certainly not desirable. At the end of that time cut off* the seeds, 
and place the plants in an increased temperature, as a vinery just started, or a 
pit kept rather close, with a little auxiliary heat, beginning with a temperature 
of 50°, increasing it gradually until you obtain an average day heat of 65° or 
70 Q , making use of sun heat in preference to fire heat, by shutting up early, 
and letting the place get warm before opening in the morning. A little shade 
in the middle of the day will be necessary. The plants must also be syringed 
morning and afternoon, keeping the atmosphere moist, and the roots of the 
plants liberally supplied with water. This applies to sunny weather. In dull 
days syringing or watering will be less needed; but these are matters that will 
suggest themselves to the grower. What is necessary or desirable is to con¬ 
sider what would be the case supposing the plants were growing in their 
native country and climate, and to imitate it as near as possible. In tropical 
countries there are periods of rainy weather, when the air is close and warm, 
very favourable to the growth of this plant, followed by periods of dry hot 
weather, equally favourable to the hardening of the wood and setting of the 
flower-buds. This, again, followed by dull rainy weather, during which time 
the plant is at rest; and again by bright warm weather, during which the 
plant is in flower. Although we may not be able, or even desire, to imitate 
accurately the climate of tropical countries, we can do so to an extent that is 
sufficient for our purpose, and that is all we need desire. That we can do 
so sufficiently to enable us to grow the Azalea and other plants is evident; 
not because we can induce them to submit to our artificial treatment, but 
because we can give them artificial treatment closely resembling what they 
would otherwise receive naturally. I mention these facts because attention to 
them will do more than anything I can say in the way of pointing out directions 
for cultivating the Azalea or any other plant; at the same time reminding 
young beginners that the most successful growers have been the most observant 
of such facts, seeing in them both causes and effects, and acting on them 
quietly but successfully. 
But to proceed. The plants will require about three months’ treatment 
of this kind—that is, to be kept close and warm—during which time they 
will be making their growth; so that if the plants were put in about the 
middle of May they will have completed their growth by the middle of 
August, and by that time the syringing should be discontinued—say limiting 
it to once a-day by the beginning of the latter month; in a week’s time once 
in two days, leaving it off entirely by the middle of the month; but con¬ 
tinue to give them a little extra heat, and discontinue the shading, in order 
that the wood may be hardened and consolidated. The flower-buds will then 
begin to form, and the extra heat may be discontinued, the plants receive a 
little more air and plenty of sun; but no haste should be used in cooling them 
down ; nor need there be any fear of the buds expanding, as they should be 
