lbs. of cottonseed meal, and 20 lbs. of granulated 
alum had been worked into the soil before planting. 
A heavy peat mulch followed. 
3. MULCH. Use only an ACID MULCH. A 
good mulch is the most important item in azalea 
culture, It is absolutely necessary. Azaleas WILL 
NOT SUCCEED WITHOUT IT. The following 
make good mulches: peat-moss, Florida humus, 
spent tanbark (from a tannery), oak leaves, pine 
needles, old or fresh shavings (oak or pine), saw- 
dust (preferably old), peanut hulls, etc. Maple 
leaves are alkaline and therefore objectionable. 
Next to peat, oak materials are best. Immediately 
after planting, smooth the beds carefully and 
spread the material used for a mulch evenly over 
the entire bed to a depth of 2-6 inches. Never re- 
move. Replenish when necessary. A good mulch 
keeps the azalea roots cool, keeps the soil porous, 
aerated, moist, and acid (as the acid in the mulch 
breaks down), and helps to control weeds. 
4, WATER. In nature azaleas are never found 
in dry regions. They like plenty of moisture on 
both leaves and roots, Newly planted azaleas do 
best with a daily sprinkling and a weekly soaking 
during the first summer. Watering can scarcely be 
overdone, It is important during hot, dry, windy 
weather. 
POTTED PLANTS placed inside the home 
should be kept away from heat and drafts, and 
should be frequently watered. If kept inside more 
than a week they should have a daily sunning (half 
an hour or more early in the morning) and sprink- 
ling. Set the pot in a saucer of water every few 
days for about 20 minutes. When set outside plant 
the same depth as before; the mulch will cause 
them to be a little deeper than before. 
5. HALF SHADE. Azaleas do best under trees 
(as oaks, elms, hickories, pines, etc., instead of ma- 
ples and trees with many spreading roots), where 
the sun can filter in alternately. Never plant with- 
in 2 or 3 feet of a building, and give them a north- 
ern or eastern exposure. Heat from rocks, or brick 
or stone walls is injurious. It is best to plant ever- 
greens against the walls and the azaleas in front of 
them. Half-shade makes them thriftier, but they 
will succeed in any location (hot sun) if properly 
planted, mulched, and watered. More watering is 
necessary if they are exposed to the afternoon sun, 
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