190 WINDOW GARDENING 



In the Southern States and in California Camellias grow into large shrubs Of 

 trees*, and need no protection in the winter They are propagated from seeds, 

 cuttings, grafting, and in arching. 



The seeds are a long time in vegetating; sometimes two years will elapse before 

 the first leaf is developed, and then the blossom may not repay the care it has 

 demanded ; but a graft from a handsome variety will make a fine plant. 



The cutting should be taken from the base of a leaf, or at a joint, as soon as 

 the wood is ripened, and placed in damp sand under glass. When it shows signs 

 of growth, transplant it to a small pot filled with rich, dark soil. If you desire 

 large flowers, allow only one bud to remain on each terminal shoot. The best 

 time to graft the Camellia is from the middle of August to the middle of Sep- 

 tember. The chief care is in making a perfect junction of the parts, and care- 

 fully tying the graft in place. T^he graft having nothing to support it, must not 

 only be firmly secured to the branch, but moisture and shade must be given it so 

 as to promote its growth, and the roots must not be soddened with water. 



Inarching, or grafting by approach, is generally done in July. A thin portion 

 of the stock is sliced off, and a corresponding portion of the variety to be 

 inarched. The slice should be made so deep that it will take oft a slit of the 

 stock, with bark attached, for about two inches ; the graft is cut to fit exactly, 

 and the parts fastened closely together and wound about with zephyr wool ; 

 moss can then be tied over it to keep it damp, and this must be moistened as it 

 dries until they have grown together. 



Camellias are most extensively grown in Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, 

 by the florists, and are highly prized for house and table decorations, wedding 

 ornaments, and funeral wreaths, crosses, and anchors. 



The Double White, Fimbriata, candidissima, Mont Blanc, and alba plena 

 are all very desirable for window culture, and if their pure, spotless white flow- 

 ers are protected from the sun they will retain their exquisite beauty for a fort- 

 night. Among the colored varieties are : 



Imbricata, crimson and white. 



Landrethii, the richest rose color. 



Dutchess of Orleans, striped pink and white. 



Juliana, a rosy blush color. 



Benneyii, crimson, striped with white. 



Conspersa, striped carmine. 



Prince Albert, pink, striped with rosy carmine. 



Heine des Fleurs, of the richest crimson. 



Sacco Nora, exquisite pink, blotched with rose. 



Jubilee, rosy pink, striped with cherry color. 



Storyi, a waxen rose color. 



History, c#c. A sketch of the history of this flower calls up some very inte- 

 resting facts. The Camellia Japonica was introduced into Europe by Father 

 Kamel, a Moravian missionary who traveled in Asia, and saw the beautiful tree 

 growing in China ; and the plant was Latinized into Camellus in honor of him 



