168 VILLA GAEDENING part ii 



different circumstances. In preparing borders care should be 

 taken that nothing is placed in them which may generate fungus, 

 such as bits of stick, or the half- decayed substances that are 

 often present in leaf-mould. The bracken roots often found in 

 peat are another fertile source of fungus. This is why I should 

 recommend Camellias to be planted chiefly in turfy loam, but it 

 must be free from calcareous matter. A little old manure may be 

 added if necessary, and a sprinkling of soot will also l)e of great 

 service in maintaining the plants in vigorous health. During the 

 swelling of the buds, and when the plants are in flower, weak 

 liquid manure, made by dropping a bag of soot into a tul) of soft 

 water, and still further dilating it before giving it to the plants if 

 needful, will be very beneficial, as soot seems especially helpful to 

 the large glossy foliage when given in moderate doses. 



Propagation. — Camellias are chiefly propagated by grafting 

 on the common single Camellia, the latter being obtained by cut- 

 tings or layers. I have rooted the double Camellias from cuttings 

 in spring, taken oft' with a heel, and plunged in a steady bottom- 

 heat. But grafting on the single variety is the best and readiest 

 means of increase. All new varieties are of course raised from 

 seeds, which should be .sown in spring in pots or pans of peat and 

 sand, and placed in a little heat to ensure early germination. The 

 young ])lants must be shaded from bright sunshine, especially 

 when they first appear. At all stages of their growth the Camel- 

 lias require careful watering. Camellias, like all other plants, 

 may be grafted by approach, i.e. the two plants to be propagated 

 are brought close together, and the one in-arched ui)on the other 

 in a very simple manner by cutting a slice off" each and binding 

 the cut surfaces together and keeping them firmly tied till they 

 unite. 



List of Camellias. — Alba plena. Archduchess Marie, Beali, 

 Candidissima, Carlotta Papudoff, Comte de Flanders, Comte de 

 Paris, Conspicua, Countess of Derby, Douckellaari, Countess of 

 Ellesmere, Cuj) of Beauty, Duchesse d'Orleans, Elegans, Fimbriata 

 alba, Henri Favre, Imbricata, Jubilee, Marchioness of Exeter, 

 Mathotiana, Monarch, Napoleon III., Mrs. Abbey Wilder, Optima, 

 Queen of Beauties, Saccoi nova, Storyi, and Tricolor imbricata. 



CHAPTER V 



Azaleas and Rhododendrons. — For gorgeous effect no class 

 of plants can surpass these. The colours are so clear and bright, 

 and the flowers under good management so freely produced. 



