The Camellia ; its History^ Introduction^ <S)'c. 301 



Art. IV. The Camellia ; its History, Introduction^ Pro^m- 

 gation, Cultivation^ and Gejieral Treatment^ ivith a De- 

 scriptive List of the finest varieties. By the Editor, 



It has been our purpose to present our readers with an 

 article upon the culture and management of the camellia for 

 a long period; but various engagements when our space 

 would permit, and a desire to accommodate our correspond- 

 ents at other times, have induced us to defer it from season 

 to season ; the period now having arrived when the plants 

 should be put in order for the coming winter, we have thought 

 it a favorable opportunity to detail the routine of treatment 

 of this most magnificent of plants, without which our green- 

 houses and conservatories would possess but little attraction 

 for a greater portion of the winter season. 



The camellia, though very generally cultivated, is yet not 

 often seen in its greatest beauty. The plants are too often 

 crowded together, in order to make room for a great number 

 of varieties, and, consequently, their form is greatly in- 

 jured, the foliage less ample and rich, and the flowers smaller, 

 less perfect, and displayed in much less profusion than upon 

 well grown and properly managed specimens. A finely 

 formed plant, with its elegant glossy foliage, and exquisite 

 flowers — whether that universal favorite, the old double white, 

 or any of the beautiful colored varieties which now swell up' 

 the catalogues — is one of the most superb objects within the 

 whole range of cultivated plants. 



So fully entitled to all the care which can be bestowed 

 upon it, the camellia should be found in every collection 

 making the least pretence to variety, brilliancy, or splen- 

 dor. The cultivation of the plants is perfectly simple, and, 

 though skill and experience are required to secure a full de- 

 velopment of their beauty, only ordinary judgment and atten- 

 tion are necessary to obtain a fine display of flowers. 



The subject will be arranged under the following heads : — 

 History — Introduction — Propagation — Soil — Potting — Prun- 

 ing — Winter Treatment — Summer Treatment — Raising New 

 Varieties from Seed — Insects — Descriptive List of Fine Vari- 

 eties, &c. 



VOL. XIV. — NO. VII. 26 



