MISCELLANEOUS. 



On the Culture of the Camellia. The soil best 

 adapted to the growth of camellias is a mixture of peat earth 

 and loam, in nearly equal proportions. Where the loam 

 is peculiarly light and sandy, a less quantity of peat is 

 requisite. The earth should be well mixed and passed 

 through a coarse sieve, reserving the detached portions of 

 peat and loam that will not pass the sieve, to fill the bottom 

 of the pots, thereby securing a free drainage a circumstance 

 indispensable to the success of the plants. The proper 

 season for the general shifting is when the young growth has 

 hardened, and the blossom buds for next year can be 

 detected at the extremity of the shoots. After shifting all 

 those that require it, they may be placed in a cold pit or 

 frame, or retained in the greenhouse, according to the season 

 they are wanted to flower ; if kept in the greenhouse, as 

 much air as possible should be admitted, and occasionally 

 sprinkling the foliage will improve the appearance, as well as 

 be beneficial to the health of the plants. At all times 

 attention must be paid to watering them properly, the roots 

 being apt to become matted in the pots, so as to render the 

 ball of earth impervious to moisture ; hence it is necessary 

 to see that the ball of earth is moistened by the water poured 

 upon it, instead of the web of fibres only. This renders an 

 examination of the roots, or reducing and replanting them 

 once a year, a measure indispensable. 



