The Azalea:

Aza Ica, or Chinese Aza, is of Asiatic origin. veties are innumerable; but the most common and longest known vety is that from which others are but hybrids, Aza Ica. It is a strong w plant, with long, coarse, evergreen ves, puc in clusters of three or more, at the end of the branches red s marked with dark ss. This plant may be wn in gt perfection, and, as well as the veties, is admirably adapted for a window plant.

habit is shrubby, and the s are puced in gt profusion. A. Ica alba has white s, and is a fine old vety. A. Ica purpu is a vety with blossoms of a light purple color; a profuse bloomer, and of rapid wth. re is also a double vety. A. Ica coccinea is bright scarlet. From these the fine veties of the greenhouses have been puced.

To w the plants in perfection good drainage is essential. Fill the one quarter full of broken sherds, then fill the soil to within half an inch of the top; soil, a dark peat three parts, one part of loam, one half part of silver sand. If the gardener plans on w these plants among any garden wrfs, the proper drainage is even more criticial.

Frequent re-t cones to the health of the plants. As a general rule, re- when the roots run among the crocks at the bottom of the . Do not sift the soil; bk it into sm pieces. Frequent syr is beneficial, but over-wr must be carefully avoided. Give full sunshine to the plant, but lay a little moss over the if the sun is very hot, to protect the roots. Keep the plant about the temperature prescribed for camellias.

As soon as the s f wth begins. Give plenty of air and sun, for on this wth depends the bloom of the next year. It should be short, close, and the buds be set at the end of each branch. Set the plants out of doors in the summer, maybe close to any large wr fs as prescribed for camellias.

Azas may be pruned into any shape. This operation should be performed after the s have dropped, or after the plant has made its season's wth. Aza is subject to rottenness of the roots, puced by a sodden soil, the effect of over-wr. remedy is simple: re- the plant, and wr moderly. Excessive dryness, the other extreme, puces yel ves and a general unhealthy appearance. Although it was previously mentioned to be wary of garden wrfs puc too much moisture, some kind of patio wr feature will ensure that the plant is gett enough wr.

fol veties are of proved excellence, and very distinct. All will succeed in the house. Aza amoena, a lovely vety; s double purple; puced in gt profusion in midwinter. Ica lritidia salmon; Danielsiana, bright red; Per-reyana, scarlet; Murreyana, rose; Ica alba, whiter Purpu, purple; Coccinea, red. Iveryana, pink and white; Vegata, rose and white; Gledstanesii, white, striped with red. This list might be incsed an hundred fold.