Plate 268. 
AZALEA, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA. 
We have again hacl recourse to the Dorking Nursery, from 
whence so many good and valuable varieties of Azalea have 
emanated, for our illustration; the very beautiful and distinct 
flower figured in our Plate being one of the seedlings of Messrs. 
Ivery and Son. 
We had this year the opportunity of comparing the style 
of growth adopted by the Belgian nurserymen, VerschafFelt, 
Van Geert, Van Houtte, and others, and comparing it with that 
of our English growers, and we found that the plants with a 
circular contour were cultivated in preference to those of a 
pyramidal form, and that their custom is to place the Azalea 
out-of-doors after it has done blooming, and there allow it to 
make its growth, having first carefully cut it all over, to induce 
young growth. This is quite different from our course, and 
very probably the difference in climate would prevent the ap¬ 
plication of the same plan here, our best growers never allow¬ 
ing theirs to be placed out-of-doors at all. As regards the 
shape of the plants, we are rather inclined to agree with the 
Belgians than with our own growers, although we should much 
prefer to see even a still more natural style of growth,—a point 
to which we believe we must be ultimately brought. 
With regard to new varieties, we have already noticed and 
figured in the Magazine in 1864 and in February of the pre¬ 
sent year, two fine varieties raised by the same grower,— For- 
get-me-not , a brilliant, glossy, reddish purple; and Fascination , 
one of those beautifully mottled flowers in the style of Etoile 
die Gaud , etc. We have also seen one belonging to Mr. Bull, 
PiCine dies Pags-Bas, which promises to he a very attractive 
variety; we have also heard Grande-JDucJiesse de Bade, an orange- 
