CAMELLIA CULTURE. 65 



The reasons why cultivators are not successful are: 



First. They keep them too warm, and do not pay 

 enough attention to airing the plants. 



Secondly. There is very seldom sufficient water put on 

 them to wet the roots. 



Thirdly. A very important matter is syringing or damp- 

 ening the foliage, which is very often neglected. 



I do not find that syringing the plants when they are 

 in flower spoils the bloom; in fact I find it quite the 

 reverse. 



When the plants are in perfection, which is generally 

 in December and January, the weather is the coldest, and 

 the fires are rather stronger than in November. 



The foliage will not, during this time, have that bright 

 glossy look it had a few months previous. And the flow- 

 ers, when cut, will be of a flimsy texture if the syringe is 

 not used constantly. 



Generally about the holidays, when Camellias are in 

 great demand for the trade, as well as for our retail busi- 

 ness, and we wish a good bloom and firm flowers for the 

 next day, we syringe thoroughly the night before, not be- 

 ing afraid of bud, flower or foliage. 



The water loosens the bud and causes it to expand to 

 a fine fresh flower, and in greater abundance than if 

 syringing should be neglected. 



They will carry, packed in cotton, for three days, 

 while others that have not been syringed, will not carry 

 half the distance, nor will they be as satisfactory to the 

 purchaser. 



