THE CAMELLIA. 



53 



rnittecl that is possible. If the plants require shifting, it 

 should be clone as soon as the flowering is over. Peat 

 and good maiden loam, two parts of the former to one of 

 the latter, is a good compost to grow them in. 



The Camellia is not at all tender. In the west of 

 England it may be grown out of doors on a west or 

 north wall. The propagation of the Camellia consists 

 in multiplying it by seed for new sorts. The seed is 

 obtainable from some seedsmen who import it. It 

 is large, and should be covered, when sown, with 1 inch 

 or 1^ inches of soil at the least. Sow the seed in pots 

 filled with a compost of fine peat, sand, and maiden 

 loam, in February or March, and set them in a brisk 

 moist heat ; plunge the pots up to the rims over a warm 

 tank or in a hotbed. These seed- 

 lings are used for stocks to graft 

 the double sorts on. 



The grafting is effected when 

 the stocks are two or three years 

 old, and is done close to the pot. 

 Inarching used to be the method 

 of grafting, but the grafts will do 

 very well detached from the stool, 

 and attached to the stock, as for 

 Roses, Plums, &c, allowing the 

 stock to retain its top instead of 

 cutting it down previous to attach- 

 ing the graft. The method used is 

 side- grafting. But grafts of the 

 Camellia will unite very well if 

 even the top is cut off the stocks 

 beforehand, if the stocks are ex- 

 cited a week or fortnight before 

 the operation, and a gentle heat 



is allowed them after it, and they are kept close and 

 shaded. Tie on the grafts with rofea, and use the 

 grafting- wax to exclude air. 



The Camellia may also be propagated by cuttings. 

 In the autumn, say September, select cuttings 3 or 4 

 inches long, of the same season's growth. Cut them at 



Tk 



9.— The Camellia, 

 whip-grafted. 



