Garden of John Feast. 243 



Garden of Dr. J. aS*. Gunnell. — The camellia now com- 

 mands the attention of Dr. Gunnell to the exclusion of nearly 

 all other plants. Some foreign varieties of note have been 

 added to the collection, but the principal plants we found to 

 be seedlings. An immense number of these filled the house, 

 from plants just emerging from the seed to those six feet 

 high, and now just blooming for the first time. From some 

 of the impregnations, promising kinds are anticipated ; and, if 

 ■we may judge from the foliage, Dr. Gunnell will not be dis- 

 appointed. 



We have already given Dr Gunnell's views in relation to 

 the peculiarity of foliage of some kinds of camellias, (p. 161,) 

 and, as we have proved them in our practice to be correct, 

 there is but little doubt some new and choice seedlings will 

 be the result of his labors. C. var.Mrs. Gunnell is well known as 

 one of the most beautiful white camellias yet produced, and 

 Gen. Washington is also a superb variety. With such re- 

 sults already achieved, there is every hope for many unique 

 and choice seedlings. 



Dr. Gunnell adopts what we should think an excellent plan 

 to bring seedlings into bloom early : this is, to stop the young 



growth, by pinching off" the end when about half grown : this 

 causes the wood to mature, and form new buds. It is well 

 known that most seedlings have a tendency to grow rapidly, 

 without sometimes showing buds till six or eight years old : 

 but, by getting ripe wood early in the season, the plants have 

 a much greater tendency to form flower-buds. Many fine 

 varieties were in flower, but we had not time to note them 

 down. 



Balt'vmore, March 15th. — Our time in Baltimore was lim- 

 ited to a few hours, and we only had the opportunity to call 

 on Messrs. John and Samuel Feast. 



Garden of John Feast. — Mr. Feast's houses, as usual, 

 were filled with a healthy stock of plants of all kinds. The 

 camellias, which fill one large house, were looking in better 

 condition than when we saw them in the fall of 1845. Some 

 new seedUngs have also flowered, which are said to be very fine. 

 A white, just opening, was remarkably fine; it is called 

 Mary Feast. The cactuses fill part of a small house, and 

 were exceedingly well grown. The stock of roses was large, 

 and the varieties among the best. 



