APRIL. 83 



days before or after the shift ; a gentle use of the s^Tinge over the 

 plants in warm evenings, and a slight shading during bright sunshine, 

 must be attended to. A little observation will indicate the formation 

 of flower-buds, and the consequent maturation of the wood ; after 

 which they should be gradually hardened, and finally placed in a shady 

 situation out of doors. Here they may remain until the latter part 

 of September, when they must be removed to the greenhouse, where 

 they will soon commence flowering, and continue to do so during the 

 winter. 



When the season of blooming is over, the plants may be pruned 

 back half the length of the flowering-shoots, and removed to a warm 

 house previous to re- potting, which in this and subsequent years 

 should be performed M'hen they have commenced a young growth, 

 care being taken to remove all stagnant soil or unhealthy roots. They 

 should afterwards be removed to the house in which they were started, 

 and encouraged to perfect their growth as early as possible, previous 

 to removal to the open air. Little stopping will be needed further 

 than to regulate the shoots so as to preserve a compact head. By 

 timely attention and judicious treatment they will continue in good 

 condition for some years ; and when eventually overgrown, or strag- 

 gling in appearance, they may be thrown away, and their place sup- 

 plied by younger stock. 



The soil in which this Daphne luxuriates is composed of equal 

 parts peat and strong fibrous loam, to which is added a sufficiency of 

 sharp sand, to preserve porosity. During the growing-season, an 

 occasional watering with clear manure-water will be found advan- 

 tageous. Should green-fly or thrips make their appearance, fumiga- 

 tion should be resorted to ; but if the plants are kept in good health, 

 the visits of these pests will be few and far between. 



Veritas. 



THE CAMELLIA. 



With the exception of the Rose, the Camellia is the flower most 

 favoured by the ladies ; for although wanting fragrance, its fine Rose- 

 like form, and rich or delicate colours, make it a valuable auxiliary 

 to the bouquet, or a graceful ornament to the dress. Since the first 

 introduction of this plant from China in 1739, numerous fine sorts 

 have been raised from seed in this country, principally, in the first 

 instance, by Messrs. Chandler of the Vauxhall Nursery, — an esta- 

 blishment still celebrated for its collection of this popular flower. 

 Many valuable varieties have also been originated in other nurseries, 

 as well as by private growers, the best of which will be found de- 

 scribed at p. 94 of Vol. IL Nearly every season, however, now 

 brings forth one or more new sorts, which generally so much excel 

 most of the older varieties, that, with a few exceptions, the latter 

 will in no long time be driven out of our gardens ; and, in addition 

 to those of home origin, a few surpassingly fine varieties have been 

 received from the continent, especially from Italy, where the CameUia 



