CAMELLIA CULTURE. 79 



Many branches will be found with dormant or dead 

 eyes, which have been caused by too much heat. All 

 such eyes should be cut away; they are only robbing the 

 good shoots of the nourishment they need. 



The prominent eyes will give sufficient bloom. For 

 potting, shading, etc., see former chapters and calendar 

 for the months. 



Let me sum up, then, briefly, the errors to be avoided 

 by amateurs in Camellia culture: 



i st. Do not attempt to mix your Camellias with other 

 plants in your greenhouse or conservatory. If you can- 

 not have a separate house for them, put them by them- 

 selves in the coolest place in your greenhouse. 



2d. Do not let them have too much heat. As much 

 as other plants need will be fatal to them, except in Feb- 

 ruary, March and April, when they are making new wood. 

 The temperature should not be higher than from forty to 

 fifty degrees. During those months it may gradually be 

 brought up to sixty-eight or seventy degrees, and as 

 gradually reduced to the old temperature. 



3d. Don't let them bud or blossom too soon, nor too 

 much. If a two year old alba plena ventures to put out 

 one or two flower buds, pick them off without hesitation. 

 If a three year old plant puts out many buds, it is better 

 to sacrifice all, or nearly all of them, in order to have 

 strong, healthy plants. 



4th. Don't force them to produce a second growth in 

 June or July. The result of this second growth would be 

 no buds or flowers for the coming winter, and your plants 

 will eventually beccme sickly and die. 



