TO THE FLOWER GARDEN. 49 



bulb. It groNYS best in a cool shady peat border, and 1$ 

 usually increased by otfsets C. escnlenta, Huwers blue, iu June. 

 CAMELLIA. [Ternstromiacese.] Tbe Cawellla Japonica, 

 or Japan rlose, is one of the most beautiful of all evergreens 

 for the greenhouse or conservatory. It propagates freely by 

 cuttings The single-iiowering kinds are increased in this way 

 to be used as stocks, on which the finer varieties are multiplied 

 by grafting, budding, or inarching. Cuttings of the last year's 

 wood should be taken about three inches long, cut below a 

 joint, the lower leaf removed, and then planted firmly in pots 

 of sandy loam : they root most readily with slight bottom 

 heat. Pot them, when rooted, singly into the smallest-sized 

 pots (sixties), and keep them in a frame well secured from 

 frost. In this they are kept, being repotted as they require it, 

 until they are wanted as stocks. The choice varieties should 

 be kept iu very light pits : they are the better for growing 

 without artificial heat, but frost must be excluded. After 

 they have done Howering they should be kept in the greeur 

 bouse, or in pots properly protected ; or in a canvas house, 

 which is better than either, until they have made their growth, 

 when a sheltered outdoor situation, free alike from sun and 

 covering, and with plenty of air, will suit them best. At 

 the begiinhng of September they must be placed in winter 

 quarters. They like plenty of air at all times ; but while 

 growing it is necessary to keep them from draughts of cold or 

 drying air, which cause them to curl and become stunted, and 

 so spoil all the beauty of the new growth. Grafting, budding, 

 and inarching should be done just before the buds start on 

 the sort to be multiplied, and just as the stock begins its 

 growth. The proper soil is two-thirds loam, one-sixth turfy 

 peat, and one-sixth decomposed dung ; these should lie to- 

 gether for some time, out of the reach of heavy rains, and 

 should be thoroughly mixed. They are readily raised from 

 seed, if the seeds are put iu as soon as ripe, and placed in the 

 greenhouse. When the seedlings have advanced one season, 

 and the first year's wood is ripened, the bloom may be very 

 much hastened by inarching the top upon a strong stoc%; 

 but this is only worth doing in the case of such as indicate 

 novelty. The plants require to be kept scrupulously clean. 

 Camellias may be grown against a north wall, in the open air 



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