302 Remarks on the Culture of Exotic Vegetables. 



what quicker, and more luxuriantly, in such rich black earths 

 as contain much vegetable matter. The plantations of this 

 shrub near the city of Rio tie Janeiro, are in a stiff loam, 

 and the plants appear to thrive in the highest perfection ; it 

 will not, however, become, for ages, an article of export from 

 the Brazils; the preparation of lhe tea for market requiring 

 more manual labour than the Brazilians can spare at present 

 from other occupations. 



CAMELLIA oleifeua. Oleaginous camellia. 



"When this species is cultivated in China, it is for the sake 

 of its seeds, from which a large portion of excellent oil for 

 culinary purposes is extracted. It has not yet been intro- 

 duced to this colony, but might be procured from China in 

 the manner directed for the transport of the mangoe. 



CAMELLIA sesanq.ua. Lady Banks' Camellia. 



This species (of which there are several varieties,) is not in 

 the colony, but might be procured from Canton ; it is de- 

 serving of cultivation. One of the finest teas of China is 

 prepared from its flowers : the leaves are also used as tea, 

 and, being odoriferous, are mixed with those of olea fragrans, 

 to impart scent and flavour to the true tree, whose leaves have 

 little or no smell. The seeds are pressed for their oil. This 

 species grows wild on a very poor sandy soil. The lower 

 classes in China principally use the leaves of it as tea. 



CAMELLIA japonica. Japan rose. 



Three varieties of this species have been for some years in 

 this colony ; they are, 1st. single red, 2d. double red, 3d. 

 double white; three other varieties were introduced in 1827, 

 from England, viz : double white, double red, and double 

 striped. As ornamental plants, there are few others which 

 can compete with these in the variety and beauty of their 

 flowers, and the vigorous growth and beautiful green of their 

 foliage. It is not, however, for those pleasing qualities, that 

 mention is made of them here ; but to bring them into notice 

 as ever-green shrubs, adapted to form hedges or skreens in 

 gardens or plantations, and also to recommend their culture 

 for the sake of their seeds ; which yield, in common with the 

 rest of this genus, am oil, easy of preparation, and valuable for 

 the table and other domestic purposes ; for which, at present, 

 we employ the oils of Europe. 



The double flowers of this species rarely produce seeds, but 

 the semi-double and single varieties afford an abundance. 

 When these plants are raised from seed, there is a chance of 

 their varying from the parent stock in colour, and in the size 

 of the flower. If their beauty should not be considered suf- 

 ficiently great to recommend them as ornamental plants, more 

 favorite varieties may be grafted ou them. 



