ON THE CULTURE OF THE AZALEA INDICA. 
85 
season arrived for the removal to their winter position, which, 
when convenient, should be a close vinery or greenhouse. 
During this stage of their management until spring, they re¬ 
quire a good exposure to light, and air only admitted in mild, 
dry weather. This treatment specially refers to the more de¬ 
licate and partially deciduous varieties, such as Aurantia superba , 
and the varieties of similar habit, with Lateritia , Gledstanesii , 
Variegata , &c. The general adaptation of Azalea Indica for 
ordinary greenhouse treatment, and its varieties, will be found 
exactly in proportion to their robust habit and sub-evergreen 
character, of which Phcenicea , TriumphanSy Speciosissima , and 
Caryophylliflora , form suitable examples. 
The most critical point of management during this season 
is the caution required in watering, but this difficulty is easily 
overcome by a strict attention to the division previously named, 
which suggests the following general rule, that the amount of 
moisture required whilst in a dormant state is exactly in pro¬ 
portion to their robust and sub-evergreen, or partially deciduous 
habit; thus the former are capable of assimilating more mois¬ 
ture than the latter, and vice versa. 
Treatment during Bloom. About the month of Febru¬ 
ary the plants will manifest tokens of growth by the progressive 
development of bloom. As these symptoms advance, an in- , 
crease of air and water will be requisite, and also as the weather 
and sun-light permit, a gentle but early syringing will ma¬ 
terially benefit them. 
As regards the temperature during this period, it will 
perhaps be best understood by saying, that a situation, when 
they are kept a few degrees warmer, and closer than an ordi¬ 
nary greenhouse generally admits, will be most suitable ; but 
should that be the only convenience, they should then be placed 
so as not to be subjected to an undue exposure to air; by 
being thus kept a few degrees warmer, no check will be ex¬ 
perienced. From the time that the blossoms begin to show 
their colour, the plants should be removed to an intermediate 
or forcing house, when they will expand much finer than when 
retained in a greenhouse temperature, and during which a dry 
atmosphere must be maintained, as the purity and delicacy of 
colour would otherwise be destroyed. When the bloom is well 
expanded, the plants should again be gradually prepared for a 
cooler situation, by either diminishing the heat of the house in 
which they have bloomed, or removing them to a greenhouse, 
