AZALEA

(from azaleos, dry, arid; in allusion to the habitat of the plant). O RD. Ericaceæ. A genus of very popular and beautiful hardy or greenhouse plants. The species enumerated were included under Rhododendron by Don, Loudon, and others, contrary to the cla ification of Linnæus, but the distinctive characters are not consistent. In this genus, the stamens are usually five, but in Rhododendron ten is the typical number. Ghent or American Azaleas . These are extremely popular hardy deciduous shrubs. When plants are grown in the open, artificial cro ing will be unnece ary; but this method must be employed upon those grown in the cool greenhouse, if well fertilised seeds are required. The seed should be gathered and sown when ripe in a large shallow frame containing from 2in. to 3in. of peat, over which more peat must be laid very level by means of a fine sieve; or they may be kept until early the following spring. No covering will be nece ary, but a thorough watering with a fine-rosed water-pot must be given. The lights should be darkened, and the frames kept close until the young seedlings begin to appear, when they must have air (carefully admitted), shade, and a daily sprinkling of water. By the autumn, they will be large enough to transplant in small clumps into boxes of peat and coarse sand, and to place in other frames, or in the open. In each case, they will need watering, shading, and to be kept close until growth commences. The hardier the plants are before winter commences, the better; but a protection of mats or similar material will prevent the probability of their being killed by severe frosts. During the following season, they will only require water during dry weather, and no protection need be afforded this winter. The next spring, they should be planted out singly in beds, sufficiently wide apart to allow the development of two years growth. If an upright growth is being made, the leading shoot must be shortened, in order to secure dwarf, well-branched plants. The same methods should be employed on a smaller scale where but a few are wanted. Grafting is largely practised to increase the stock of named varieties or choice seedlings, the stock employed being A. pontic a . This proce , of course, ensures the quicker production of flowering plants. Layering in March, encasing the part buried with mo , is also some times practised; but the layer must be left two years before separating. Cuttings of the last year's wood, 2in. or 3in. long, taken with a heel, root readily in sand; about the end of August is the best time for so doing. If they are pricked off in pots or pans of sandy soil, and kept in a cool frame until they are calloused, and afterwards introduced into a slight bottom heat, they root quicker, but this is not absolutely e ential. When placed outside, they should be covered with a hand light for about two months, and, at the end of this time, air should be gradually given and increased. Ghent Azaleas are now forced extensively for the market as well as in private gardens; and, by judicious culture, they can be had in full blo om by Christmas. With this end in view, they should be grown in pots, and have the growth prematurely completed soon after flowering with the aid of a little artificial heat; after which they may be placed outside. During very hot and dry weather, the north side of a wall is nece ary, to prevent their flowering in the autumn. The same plants must only be forced every alternate year. Commence to place the plants in heat in October, and keep up a succe ion until the following March. The best plants for forcing purposes are obtained from the Continent, where they are grown in enormous quantities. When grown permanently out of doors, the most suitable soil is peat and rough sand mixed. Failing this, leaf mould, maiden loam, and sand, will be found satisfactory. In many cases, we have known them to flourish in ordinary garden soil. The following varieties of Ghent Azaleas are distinct, and all worth growing; A DMIRAL DE R UYTER , deep red-scarlet, very fine; A LTACLERENSIS , bright yellow; A MŒNA , light pink; C ARNEA ELEGANS , pale pink, shaded sulphur; C OCCINEA MAJOR , dark scarlet, very fine; C UPREA SPLENDENS , rich pink, shaded yellow; D ECORATA , lovely pink; D IRECTEUR C HARLES B AUMANN , rich vermilion, spotted yellow; E LECTOR , rich orange-scarlet; G EANT DES B A TAILLES , deep crimson, very fine; M ADAME J OSEPH B AUMANN , bright pink, very free and good; M ARIA V ERSCHAFFELT , shaded pink and yellow; M IRABILIS , very lovely pink; M ORTERI , rich yellow, shaded rosy-red; P ONTICA MACRANTHA , rich deep sulphur, very large and fine; P RINCESSE D 'O RANGE , salmon-pink, very fine; S AN GUINEA , deep crimson; V ISCOSA FLORIBUNDA , pure white, very fragrant.