302 THE GREENHOUSE. [CHAP. XL 



or three different kinds, to screw on as wanted 

 (see Jig. 31.). 



As different greenhouse plants require a some- 

 what different treatment, the following direc- 

 tions for the management of a few of the most 

 popular may be useful to my readers. 



Camellias. — The camellia is a plant which 

 requires abundance of water, and is yet soon 

 killed by suffering stagnant moisture to remain 

 about the roots. When grown in pots there 

 should be abundant drainage ; that is, the pots 

 should be about a quarter rilled with potsherds. 

 The soil should be peat-earth and sand, which 

 may be mixed with a little vegetable mould 

 and charcoal, if it is desired to have the plants 

 of very luxuriant growth; and they should be 

 potted high, so as to let the collar of the plant 

 be quite above the rim of the pot. The pots 

 should not have saucers, or, if they have for 

 the sake of cleanliness, the water should be 

 carefully poured out of them immediately after 

 the plants have been watered. The plants 

 should be watered abundantly every day while 

 their flower-buds are swelling; as, if this be 

 neglected, the buds are very apt to drop off. 

 When the flowers begin to expand, the water- 

 ing is not of so much consequence, though it 

 should be continued in moderate quantities; 

 and abundance should be again given when 

 the plants are making their young shoots. 

 After they have done growing, watering once 

 or twice a week will be sufficient till the flower- 

 buds again begin to swell. During the grow- 

 ing season, the plants should be set out and 

 syringed all over the leaves once or twice a 



