106 11KMARKS ON THE CAMELLIA. 



placed in the bottom of the pot, a few inches deep, to act as drainage, 

 having previously placed two or three pieces of broken pot over the 

 hole at the bottom, so that the water may readily pass away. 



Repotting. — This should be done every year if healthy plants arc 

 desired. The best time is when the young shoots have just com- 

 pleted their growth, which is indicated by the lower part of them 

 turning brown, and the embryo blossom buds just seen at the extre- 

 mities. At this time as much of the old ball as can be done without 

 damaging the roots must be taken away. The compost must not be 

 in a soddened, wet condition when used for potting, as in that state 

 it is liable to be pressed so as to become hard. In filling in the 

 compost, it is advisable to put in indiscriminately a few lumps of 

 chopped turfy loam ; this tends to prevent the matting of the roots in 

 any particular pait, but allows them more regularly to push forward, 

 by each portion of the soil being kept in an equal degree of moisture, 

 which is an essential in successful culture. After repotting and wa- 

 tering, the plants require to be shaded for a few days during the 

 middle of the day when there is hot sun. Those plants intended to 

 bloom as early as the end of October or November should at once be 

 placed in an airy greenhouse, and have the foliage syringed every 

 morning, and at the evening about live o'clock. Where the green- 

 house can be closed at that time for a few weeks it would very mate- 

 rially contribute to the setting of the flower-buds to do so. Such 

 plants as are required for a later blooming season must be kept in the 

 open air and in a sheltered situation; but if open to mid-day sun, a 

 canvas covering is found to be serviceable, and the foliage retains its 

 vigorous green hue. 



A principal feature in management is a proper attention to watering 

 at the root, not only to obtain vigorous growing plants, but to retain 

 the flower-buds when formed ; if this be neglected, or done care- 

 lessly, the consequence is, they will certainly drop on'. For a few 

 weeks after repotting, as much water at the roots is not required as 

 when they have pushed afresh, but to promote an early establishment, 

 the syringing over the tops, as before mentioned, is indispensable. 

 When the new roots begin to push freely, then the supply must be 

 freely given, taking care that the entire bull of soil is alike moistened, 

 to effect which the surface must be kept even. If this is not done, the 

 soil at the sides will filter down lower than the old portion of the ball 



