ON INCREASING THE CAMELLIA. 299 



consistent with the natural habits of the plant, in order to make tlie 

 bulbs as large as possible the first season ; this will be the means of in- 

 ducing them to bloom in two years from the seed, which is a deside- 

 ratum. If they are planted the second season in a frame, and sligiitly 

 excited in the spring, the frame being afterwards taken away, and the 

 little wants of tlie plants — as water, &c. — attended to, many of them 

 will unfold their beauties in the course of tlie autumn." 



One of the most interesting enjoyments in floriculture is experienced 

 in raising improved varieties of flowers. No doubt Mr. Cole feels 

 amply rewarded for the attention he gave to it. During last summer 

 Mr. Plant, of Cheadle, brought us about a dozen large spikes of tiie 

 most beautiful Gladioli we ever saw. Tliey were hybrids he Iiad raised, 

 and although he has been experimenting with this class of flowers for 

 many years, he feels ample satisfaction with his progeny. We trust 

 many of our readers will still more eagerly pursue this delightful recrea- 

 tion. 



ON INCREASING THE CAMELLIA. 



BY JIR. WILLIAM HAYNES, FLOWER GAEDENER. 



This is an universally admired tribe of plants, and I think either large 

 or small ones onglit to be in every greenhouse, conservatory, or sitting 

 room. One great acquisition is, that having obtained a favourite it is 

 readily increased, and may be managed by tlie amateur quite as readily 

 as by the nurseryman. Tlie methods are by inarching, grafting, or 

 budding. As the precise mode of operation is not generally known, I 

 give the particulars of the course I have adopted most successfully with 

 each of the above methods. 



Stocks on which to graft, &c., are readily obtained by sowing seed 

 of the single red, or by striking them by cuttings. As soon as the 

 young wood is firm enough (not hard wooded), so as not to be likely 

 to damp oft', cuttings may be put in, cutting off each close under a joint, 

 and inserting them in a sandy yellow loam. Plunge the pot in nice 

 bottom heat, in a close frame, or cover witli a bell-glass. A large plant 

 of the single red may be jiurchased for two shillings, from Avhich cut- 

 tings may be obtained ; or stocks ready for grafting, ike, upon, mav 

 ))e purchased at ninepence each. 



When the operation of either grafting or inarching is performed, the 

 process of tongueiug is best dispensed with, as it weakens the stock 

 when tongued, and that mode of grafting termed side-grafting is pre- 

 ferred. 



As to the proper season for grafting or inarcliing Camellias, the 

 spring is the best, and just at that time when the plants have done 

 flowering and are beginning to grow. This state of vegetation does 

 not always take place at precisely the same time, as some cultivators 

 force tlieir Camellias into bloom very early ; such, therefore, siioiild be 

 operated upon not by the exact period of the year, but by the state of 

 tiie plants. Some will be fit for this process in January, February, 

 March, and April : those, liowever, which are operated on in March 



