282 



THE CAMELLIA JAPONICA. 



a season. The grafted and otherwise work- 

 ed plants may be growing, or at rest, or, 

 some each ; for there is no answering for 

 things put out of their way. Some of the 

 hud-grafts will be growing rapidly, and 

 these ought not to be removed from the 

 propagating house ; those which are evi- 

 dently at rest should be placed in a cool 

 situation, and be kept much more dry than 

 the plants that are growing. It is however, 

 not unusual to force the grafted plants into 

 growth as early as possible, to get a second 

 growth out of them if practicable. If this 

 be the object, let the ball be examined ; 

 and. if the roots have reached the side 

 of the pot, shift them, and replace them 

 in the propagating house, or a cool part 

 of the stove. Generally, however, where 

 the plants are at best, it is better to keep 

 them so by placing them in a cool pit, and 

 shading them from the extreme heat of 

 the sun. If, however, any of them start 

 into growth, encourage it by removing the 

 plant into the greenhouse, where it will 

 be more protected than it is desirable to 

 keep those which are at rest and want 

 coolness and plenty of air. This should 

 also be done with all such of the plants in 

 the collection as commence growing, for 

 unless it be encouraged the plant will be 

 damaged ; the new growth not being ma- 

 tured, will perhaps, receive a check from cold 

 winds while exposed to the open air. It is 

 better therefore to remove it into the green- 

 house, conservatory, or even into the dwell- 

 ing-house, if you cannot find room in the 

 stove or propagating-house, and it will be 

 urged forward enough, perhaps to set for 

 bloom, and if not, to keep the growth 

 healthy, and the foliage perfect, that would 

 otherwise have been subject to blight or the 

 attack of the fly or other pests, and so have 

 been spoiled so much as to cause it all to 

 be cut back. 



September. — The buds have now swell- 

 ed a good deal, and where they are too 

 thick they should be thinned ; two blooms 

 should nol be allowed together, one would 

 spoil the other, or both would be spoiled, 

 besides in nowise contributing to the beau- 

 ty of a plant, even if both would grow and 

 bloom perfect. The buds should not be 

 nearer than four inches apart ; but at the 

 ends, where many varieties will set three 



or four buds in a bunch, only one should be 

 left, and that ought to be the most perfect 

 and in the best position, It is now time to 

 remove them to their winter quarters ; some 

 into the conservatory, some into the green- 

 house, some in pits, according to their ulti- 

 mate destination ; all these intended to be 

 thrown into flower early should be removed 

 to the greenhouse, preparatory to goinjr in- 

 to the forcing house, vinery, or stove, wher- 

 ever they are to be forced ; but unless there 

 be some especial object in very early flow- 

 ers, it is better to keep them in their sea- 

 son, and to be content with the natural 

 forwardness of some which will be always 

 found to precede the main body of them, 

 Place all the stocks in frames, for they are 

 as well there as anywhere, and only require 

 to be covered in very severe weather for the 

 single and semi-double varieties are for the 

 most part much hardier than the double or 

 highly fancy kinds. Water must be given 

 now sparingly, and the drainage well ex- 

 amined before they are put in their winter 

 quarters. Give all plants under glass abun- 

 dance of room ; pot off all struck cuttings 

 not already done. 



October. — Little is now wanted but 

 watching, and when really necessary, wa- 

 tering, but this can be only seldom, during 

 the present month and next. The preced- 

 ing remarks as to the treatment of the 

 worked plants applies all through the win- 

 ter. If they begin to grow, encourage them 

 by taking them into the propagating house, 

 and as the buds of established plants are 

 now swelling, they must not be allowed 

 to flag for want of water, although they 

 must by no means be kept wet. Turn all 

 the plants in the houses, so that they do not 

 grow one-sided, for they would soon be 

 spoiled if the light were only to come to 

 one side of them, which is the case in al- 

 most all houses. 



November. — This month requires only a 

 continuance of last month's management, 

 because the plants are only here and there 

 throwing out an odd flower, unless regular 

 forcing is going on, in which case a suc- 

 cession must be taken into the warmer 

 house, and the places of those removed 

 when forward enough must be occupied with 

 the flowering plants that are to succeed 

 them. They are always better removed 



