CHAP. IV VILLA GARDENING 165 



be an advantage to give the plants a little bottom-heat in order to 

 induce an early root action. I remember once having a lot of very 

 unhealthy Orange trees placed in my charge to recover their health. 

 They were too large for any house we had possessing a bottom-heat 

 pit, but we improvised a bed of leaves in a large vinery where the 

 Vines were just breaking, and after pruning both the branches and 

 the roots we potted them into as small pots as they could be got 

 into, and plunged them iu the bed of leaves, which supplied a nice 

 steady warmth. The roots commenced work almost immediately, 

 and after a time latent buds burst out of the naked stems, and 

 during the summer the plants were brought into a healthy vigor- 

 ous condition again. 



Pkopagating Orange Trees. — The pips or seeds of the im- 

 ported Oranges may be saved and planted in spring. They soon 

 germinate if treated to a little bottom -heat, when they should be 

 2Jotted singly into small pots, and if grown on cpiickly in heat they 

 will be fit for grafting in twelve months. The mode of grafting 

 young plants has been referred to already in the case of Correas 

 and Eriostemons. If a close pit or frame can be had in spring 

 with a temperature of 60°, grafting Oranges is a very simple, easy 

 business ; but without this it is better not to attempt it. Oranges 

 may be budded later in the season if the grafts or any of them fail, 

 which is not likely if all things are right. 



Varieties. — The Tangarine, the Maltese Blood, and the Sweet 

 China fare the best kinds to grow for dessert ; the Seville and 

 its varieties, with the Otaheite and the Myiile-leaved, are among 

 the best for merely ornamental purposes. The Lemon, Lime, and 

 Shaddock should also be included. 



The Camellia House. — In warm sheltered places on the south 

 and west coasts of England, many fine old Camellias are met with 

 in the open air, and in favourable seasons they fiower abundantly. 

 Two remarkable specimens of noble tree-like aspect I saw some 

 years ago growing in the gi'ounds of Powderham Castle, on the 

 banks of the Exe, a few miles from Exeter. Mr. Powell, the gar- 

 dener, told me they were brought home by the celebrated Sir 

 Joseph Banks and presented to the late Earl of Devon. But 

 taking the country generally, to have Camellias at their best they 

 must have the shelter of a glass roof. Artificial heat is not a 

 necessity, as the plants are hardy enough. The protection they 

 greatly need is that of providing shelter for their blossoms, which 

 are exceedingly delicate and liable to injury from wind and rain. 

 Camellias are well adapted for planting in an unheated glass colon- 

 nade, which they miglit be permitted to occupy altogether. Some 

 might be planted to cover the back wall, others trained up pillars 



