52 ALBERT CAMELLIA.. 



the plants. At all times attention must be paid to watering them 

 properly, the roots being apt to become matted in the pots, so as to 

 render the ball of earth impervious to moisture ; hence it is necessary 

 to see that the ball of earth is moistened by the water poured upon it, 

 instead of the web of fibres only. This renders an examination of 

 the roots, or reducing and replanting them, at least once a year, a 

 measure almost indispensable. A good soaking with manure water 

 must be given three or four times during the year, twice being done 

 in the period of growth. 



At the respective periods of growth and flowering, the plants wii!. 

 require plentiful watering ; during the latter, if not regularly sup- 

 plied, the bloom-buds will infallibly fall off, instead of expanding into 

 flower ; at other times, a regular moderate supply is essential. The 

 effect of constant watering may be presumed to diminish or destroy 

 the fertility of the small quantity of earth allotted to each plant ; 

 therefore, when the annual repotting occurs, carefully take away as 

 much of the former ball of earth as can be done without injuring or 

 cutting the roots. 



The plant may be considered strictly a hardy greenhouse one, 

 similar to the Myrtle, only requiring protection in severe weather; 

 and if it is kept just above freezing point, a temperate heat, it will 

 succeed much better than if grown in a high temperature. At the 

 period of making their growth, an additional degree of heat will be 

 found advantageous. 



Camellias are readily increased by budding, inarching, or grafting. 

 Cuttings of the single red strike the readiest, taking them off in July 

 or August, that is, when the young shoots are sufficiently ripened at 

 the base. Each must be smoothly cut through at a joint, that is, 

 where it has last pushed from, be divested of one or two leaves, and 

 then firmly planted around the pot, having the lowerhalf of compost, 

 and the upper half of white sand. Being well watered, and the pots 

 plunged in a frame of moist peat, and closely shaded for several weeks, 

 they will form callosities or fibrous roots, and, as soon as they can 

 with safety be removed, they must be potted singly, in small pots, in 

 the compost already described. After potting, they require to be 

 placed in a close frame with peat, sprinkled over head occasionally 

 with tepid water until they begin to root afresh, when, by degrees, 

 air is to be admitted, so as gradually to inure them to a cooler atmos- 



