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“perhaps better known under the name of Red Waratah: 
‘Both were introduced from China, where they are great 
favorites with the inhabitants, the varieties being planted 
_ by them very largely in their groves and gardens, where 
they yield a profusion of gay flowers from October to the 
_beginning of May. The plant has become such a uni- 
versal favorite with all horticulturists, that we have 
come to look upon it asa plant of our own, and not an 
introduced one. The genus Camellia is nearly related to 
Thea; indeed, by some authorities the latter is merged 
into Camellia, so that one might invite one’s friends to 
drink a cup of Camellia, instead of a cup of tea; it is, 
however, well known that the leaves of Sasanqua are 
used in China to mix with some of the select kinds of 
tea, to give them a superior flavor. Camellias are uni- 
versally admired for the rich and pleasing contrast 
afforded by their dark green leaves and their superb 
double flowers, which latter enliven our greenhouses and 
conservatories throughout the Winter and Spring 
months. And in the lower States, where they stand out 
all through the Winter, they make cheerful ornaments 
in December and January. In Florida, Louisiana and 
Alabama some large plants are to be met with in old 
gardens, and judging from their fine vigorous appear- 
ance, are entirely at home in the climate of these States. 
The flowers are also extensively used for bouquets and 
fot dressing ladies’ hair, for balls and parties; indeed, the 
want of fragrance is perhaps the chief thing which pre- 
vents the Camellia from supplanting the Rose in univer- 
sal admiration. The soil best adapted for Camelias is a 
mixture of about equal parts good turfy loam and peat, 
with a liberal addition of sharp sand. We consider the 
best time for repotting is just when the young growths 
begin to start; some growers object to this operation 
