CAMELLIA JAPONICA. 67 



growth of the plant in its first stages. The earlier the shoots and blossom-buds 

 are formed, the earlier will be the expansion of the flowers ; and to this end, 

 the plant, instead of being allowed to rest after flowering as we have already- 

 advised, should be at once excited into growth by a warm moist treatment ; 

 by shortening more or less the interval of rest, any desired succession of blossoms 

 may be obtained. We do not, however, recommend the mere window gardener 

 to excite his Camellias into premature growth, unless he has at command a 

 good forcing pit, and need not therefore further enlarge under this head. 



From the time of the removal of the plant from the open air, not only should it 

 be kept at an equal temperature, but also uniformly moist. "We have as yet said 

 nothing of the use of liquid manure, but it is now time to remark, that from the 

 period of repotting to that of the expansion of the flowers, and during the whole 

 season of blooming, this may be used with great advantage; some growers advise 

 its use at all stages of the plant's progress, but we think nothing is gained by its 

 employment previous to the setting of the flower-buds ; nobody thinks of giving 

 his rose-trees liquid manure before the flower-buds are visible. The kind of liquid 

 manure is unimportant, but it should not be too strong ; from October till the 

 flowering period, it may be given once a Aveek, and that, in a cool room, will be all 

 the fluid nutriment the plants will require. 



The most critical period in the management of the Camellia occurs when the 

 flowers are about to expand. It is well known that the simple transference of a 

 plant in bloom from a cool greenhouse to a warm over -heated apartment, will often 

 cause many of the blossoms and buds to fall prematurely, and the same result takes 

 place if the temperature is suddenly lowered to any extent. When, however, the 

 plant has passed the autumn in a room, there is less risk of this occurring, for it 

 becomes in some sort acclimatized, and might be safely removed from a room 

 without a fire, to one a few degrees warmer. A change of temperature is not the 

 only cause of the dropping of the flowers ; if the soil becomes too dry the same 

 result follows, and more especially if the buds are very numerous or crowded. 



We had intended to have added a few remarks on the treatment of sickly 

 Camellias, but are reluctantly compelled to defer them until our next number. 

 We must, however, find space for a word or two on the beautiful novelty selected 

 for illustration. It is a recently-imported Italian variety, having been raised by 

 M. Lechi, one of the most successful of continental Camellia growers. Our figure 

 is much reduced, and it is therefore necessary to add that the flowers are full- 

 sized; the imbrication is of the most perfect character, each series of petals being 

 traversed by a marbled stripe. The leaves are comparatively small, and are remark- 

 able for the unusual length of their slender petioles ; as is general in the lighter 

 varieties, the colour is a pale, but pleasant green. It is not yet in the possession 

 of all the Florists, but may be had of most of the London ones, 

 la 



