AZALEAS 
There is nothing more colorful or more beautiful 
than azaleas in full bloom in the spring. Azaleas 
bloom in such profusion that each plant is a solid mass 
of color. With the introduction of many new early 
and later varieties it is possible to have them in blcom 
in your garden from February to June. Also, in re- 
cent years azaleas have been planted and grown suc- 
cessfully beyond the bounds of the Lower South and 
they are easily grown provided a few basic facts of 
its culture are observed. 
Azaleas thrive in acid soil; use plenty of leaf mold, 
pond muck, peat moss to acidify the soil and also to 
make it more suitable where it is sandy and porous 
and deficient in plant food or where the soil is stiff 
and compact clay. Lime or alkaline soil is poisonous 
and if it is to be used apply aluminum sulphate at 
the rate of one 4-inch pot full to a wheelbarrow of 
soil. 
As the azalea root system is very shallow, it dries 
rapidly. Apply sufficient water to keep roots moist. 
They will not, however, tolerate water saturated con- 
ditions so beds must be located where surplus water 
will drain quickly. Azaleas thrive best in partial 
shade, but dense shade should be avoided if good blos- 
soms are expected. Larger and older plants may be 
planted in the full sun-light. 
The azalea is not a gross feeder. If plenty of leaf 
mold or like organic matter is applied it does not re- 
quire any commercial fertilizer. Do not fertilize heavily 
as the root system is easily injured. If necessary apply 
lightly well rotted manure or ccmmercial fertilizers 
such as Vigoro, tung meal or cottonseed meal. 
Red spider and thrip sometime bother azaleas. 
Frequent spraying of the plants with water will usually 
eliminate this trouble, but if necessary spray or dust 
with a sulphur mixture. 
NOTE—The 4-6 in. and 6-8 in. azalea liners listed 
herein are bed-grown plants suitable for grow- 
ing on and lining out and are not finished 
plants. They are grown under glass during 
the winter and are ready to be shipped in the 
spring, generally about April 1. They are 
grown in beds of pure peat and develop ex- 
cellent root systems and bushy tops. 
