168 THE amateur's geeekhouse 



them, "but we have seen them equally thrifty and a deal more 

 comfortable in smart constructions of the present day, which 

 admitted a flood of light from above and presented the temp- 

 tations of a bright mosaic pavement underfoot to enhance the 

 enjoyment of an inspection of the flowers. In its native land 

 the camellia grows in woods, and hence a certain degree of 

 shade is favorable to its prosperity; but we do not need heavy 

 rafters and a century of dirt to modify the sunlight, because 

 that can be accomplished by some cheap and respectable 

 shading, the employment of which will really add to the 

 comfort of the camellia house when the sun is shining brightly. 

 Camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons make their new growth 

 quickly, and usually show a bristling of the tender green of 

 the rising shoots before the latest of their flowers have ex- 

 panded. The appearance of this sprinkling of bright green is 

 a signal to the cultivator that now they require a little extra 

 warmth, and a somewhat humid atmosphere and protection 

 against drying winds and any sudden change of temperature. 

 That they should be carefully supplied with water at this time 

 is of course a matter of some importance. As for that, the 

 watering is a matter of importance at all seasons, though few 

 believe it to be so, for nine tenths of the camellias and az-aleas 

 that perish ignobly in private plant houses, are the victims of 

 thirst, as we shall explain presently. Amateurs do not 

 sufficiently keep in mind the great difference between hard 

 and soft wooded plants in respect of ill usage and neglect. 

 We may forget a lot of geraniums and find them half dead in 

 consequence, but if we prune them close and give them a 

 little water, they will soon throw up a forest of new shoots, 

 and in a little while flower again and look as buxom as ever. 

 But if we forget our heaths and camellias and azaleas, it is 

 no such easy work to restore them, and the very first step 

 taken towards their restoration may result in making an end 

 of them completely. 



The Camellia Japonica is well adapted for the winter 

 garden, and is in the most proper sense of the term a " con- 

 servatory plant." To do it complete justice it should not be 

 associated with other plants, and hence the right way to 

 enjoy it is to provide a camellia house. If a house is built 

 expressly for camellias, it need not be so fully lighted as for 

 quick-growing, soft-wooded plants ; and those who grow 



