The Camellia ; its Propagation. 303 



Propagation. 



The camellia is multiplied by several methods, viz., by 

 Seeds — Cuttings — Eyes — Inarching — Grafting — and Bud- 

 ding. 



SEEDS. 



The camellia is readily increased by seeds, which are ob- 

 tained in abundance, if the flowers are properly impregnated. 

 They must, however, be fully mature. The proper season 

 for sowing is as soon as they are taken from the seed pods, 

 which is generally about the month of September : they may, 

 however, be planted from that time to the end of February. 

 The best soil is composed of peat, loam, and sand, in equal 

 parts. Pans are preferable to pots, as they prevent the tap 

 roots from extending downwards. They should be planted 

 about an inch deep, finishing with a moderate watering, and 

 placing the pots in a warm shady situation in the green- 

 house. 



The Abbe Berlese, in his Monography of the Camellia, 

 states, that the " seeds often remain two years before they 

 vegetate ;" and most English writers make the same remark; 

 but, so far as our experience goes, and we have raised thou- 

 sands of plants, we have never known a good seed which did 

 not vegetate in less than six months. Usually, the plants 

 appear above ground about two months after sowing ; but, 

 when the seeds are not planted till February or March, they 

 do not appear so soon, generally in three or four months. 

 We have had plants one foot high ten months after the seed 

 was sown. 



The spring after planting, before the plants begin to grow, 

 they are potted off singly into three-inch pots, coiling the tap 

 root round the bottom if very long ; give a good watering, 

 and place in a warm shady situation for three or four weeks, 

 when they may have the same treatment as the old plants. 

 Sometimes they bloom the third year, but generally not till 

 the fifth, and frequently not until the tenth or twelfth year 

 after sowing. We have many plants raised from seeds in 

 1841, which do not show any signs of blooming. 



