49 



Callirhbe, Perennial. Two kinds C. Digitata, C. Involucraha 

 trailing, good mixed border plants with crimson cup shape 

 flowers, blooming well in February and March, sown late in the 

 rains, quite hardy. 



Camellia. The Camellia has a very annoying tendency to drop 

 its flower buds. This must be attributed to some mismanagement, 

 just as fruit trees lose their fruit and vines their grapes when any 

 thing renders them incapable of perfecting them. Any cause in- 

 ducing ill-health will produce this effect. Nature is trying to get 

 rid of work the plant is unable to perform. The most common 

 cause, in the case of the Camellia, is bad watering, probably the 

 plant has never been properly watered for months, a little water 

 has been frequently applied which may have reached half way 

 down the pot and even renderd the upper part sour and overmoist, 

 while the lower part of the ball of earth is as dry as dust. Native 

 gardeners rarely observe the simple rule " never water a plant till 

 it really requires it, and then thoroughly soak it. 19 



Camellias will not grow in a strong heavy soil. Leaf- mould and 

 sand should be added to lighten it. Best suited for them are 

 turf sods, cut as if for a grass plot from a sandy loam, chopped 

 up or pulled to pieces ; if sand is deficient in the turf it should be 

 added. The buds of Camellia will also drop off when exposed 

 while they are forming to dry hot wind and much sunshine. 

 Naturally it is a plant growing in a cold climate never falling 

 quite to freezing point. In Bangalore it will do best under shade, 

 in hot weather sheltered from dry winds, but getting any amount 

 of moisture from rain in the monsoon, and put out in the open, or 

 a half shady spot in the cold season, attention as before men- 

 tioned being paid to the watering. 



Campanula, Campanulacece. This genus of plants including 

 the Canterbury Bell and Venus' looking glass is well known for 

 its ornamental beauty and profusion of flowers, all the species 

 grow freely in any soil and are propagated by seed and dividing 

 the roots. 



Candy Tuft, vide Iberis, Canna Cannece, C. Indica. The Canna 

 or Indian shot was introduced into English parks and gardens 



7 



