January^] green-house — camellia japonica. 187 



OF WATERING. 



In this month very little is requisite, and must be given 

 with great caution. Few plants will require much and some 

 hardly any; but all must be attended to, and have their 

 wants supplied. Some will need it twice, some once a-week, 

 and some in two weeks, according to their shrubby and woody 

 nature. Herbaceous and deciduous plants will seldom need 

 water. Perhaps, from the shedding of the foliage to the 

 commencement of vegetation, three or four times will be 

 sufficient. Particular attention should be paid to the state 

 of health and of growth, in which the plants respectively 

 are, in the application of water; otherwise much mischief 

 may be done, and many entirely ruined. 



Green-house plants being now in an absolutely inactive 

 state, require little more water than merely to keep the earth 

 about their roots from becoming perfectly dry, by occasion- 

 ally applying a very small quantit}^ at the root ; and, if done 

 with a watering-pot, as described under this head in the 

 hot-house of this month, very little will be spilt in the house 

 to increase dampness, which, if it does appear, by any of 

 the leaves of the plants becoming musty, they must be 

 instantly picked off; and, if it increases, give a little fire and 

 air. Succulent plants will not need any water during this 

 month, unless omitted in December. 



CAMELLIA JAPONICA. 



This magnificent and attractive flower, with all its splen- 

 did varieties, will, about this time, begin to open its beauti- 

 ful flowers. But for this admired genus of plants, our green- 

 houses at this season would be void of allurement. It is, in 

 this country, subject to the red spider, and more especially 

 in the city, which appears to be from the nature of the air. 

 The effects of the spider on these plants, if not prevented, 

 would prove fatal ; as from appearance, many have died by 

 it in several collections. If it has reached a great extent, 

 the leaves are brownish, having the appearance of being de- 

 cayed or scorched with the sun. In taking hold of the leaf, 

 it feels soft, and altogether seems to have lost its nutritive 



