ON BLOOMING CAMELLIAS FOR A LENGTHENED PERIOD. 209 



moisture than they require, which ruptures the vessels, and when the 

 sun rises the colour is diffused by the heat ; this is merely accidental, 

 and does not affect the general character of the flower. 



The feathered flower is the one I most prefer, which is the feather 

 commencing on the edge of the lower part of the petal, at a short 

 distance from the stamina, and continuing quite round to the same 

 distance on the other side of the petal, being marked deepest on the 

 top ; each petal ought to be alike. The rest of the ground-colour to 

 be quite clear from patches or spots, which would destroy the beauty 

 and perfection of the bloom. 



The flamed flower, in my estimation, should have this feather, and, 

 in addition, a rich beam up the rib of each petal, branching off on 

 either side, and the points touching the feather; at the same time, 

 sufficient of the ground-colour must be preserved between the flaming 

 to show it to advantage. The more general character is a flame with- 

 out a feather, or with only an imperfect one, which, however pleasing, 

 cannot be so correct as the other ; when the flame is without any 

 feather, it forms a star-like appearance, which is very beautiful ; in all 

 cases where there is a second colour in the flame it should be margined 

 by the darker, as it prevents any running taking place. 



The single stripe up the petals is curious, and many of the other 

 distributions of colour are showy, but can scarcely be called perfect, 

 however equally they may be placed; whatever the character may be, 

 there should always be a circle of the ground-colour round the sta- 

 mina. 



The stem should be strong enough to keep the flowers erect with- 

 out the aid of a stick ; it should also be elastic, and neither too tall 

 or short for the size of the flower, as is the case with La Belle Prim- 

 rose and Parmegiano, and some others. 



ARTICLE IV. 



ON BLOOMING CAMELLIAS FOR A LENGTHENED PERIOD. 



BY MR. JOHN HAYWARD, PLEASANT VAI.E, LLANWRST. 



As an amateur florist, my pet has been the culture of Camellias, and 

 by a regular process in culture I have them in bloom for nine months 

 in the year. I have my first lot in bloom in October, the time when 

 my Chrysanthemums arc, and I have a continued show till the end 



