MONOGRAPHY OF THE GENUS CAMELLIA. 19 



The portions not decomposed or deliquescent salts, have yielded by an 

 exact analysis, 



Silex, 2 00 



Carbonate of Lime, . . . . . 15 00 



Sulphate of lime, 10 00 



Muriate of lime and magnesia, . . . 8 00 



Animal matter, . . . . . . . 12 00 



Loss and water, . . . . . . 53 00 



100 00 



The mould or peat soil of Palaiseau, Beauregard, Longjumeau, Vin- 

 cennes, &c., is rejected, as too light, and as containing less earth than the 

 others. The two preceding are preferred, and especially that of Chapellen- 

 Serval, which being richer in earth, they preserve for a longer time their 

 fertilizing qualities, and are less subject to loss by rains and irrigations. The 

 most objectionable is that of Fontainebleau, which is taken from low and 

 marshy places, and whose color is of a dull and faded black, which indicates 

 sufficiently the presence of turf, and renders this soil so compact and hard, 

 that it is difficult for the roots of delicate plants to penetrate it. There is a 

 still greater inconvenience, arising from its turfy nature, for when dry it 

 becomes so hard that it is impermeable to water. 



When a selection has been made, of one of the varieties of peat, which 

 have been named, as the most suitable to the nature of the beautiful plant, 

 which engages our attention, it should be cut into little pieces, about three 

 inches square, and exposed to a free circulation of air, in a shaded position. 

 The preference given to this substance arises, from its being light, substan- 

 tial, and the length of time it retains its nourishing qualities. It is easily 

 permeable to water, when it has not been dried too much, absorbs and retains 

 a sufficient quantity of aqueous particles, admits of a free ramification of the 

 roots, readily absorbs the atmospheric gases, and finally, remains for a long 

 time endowed with the principle of fermentation, according to the quantity 

 of subterranean gas disengaged, and the dissolution of the carbonic acid, 

 so essential to vegetation. 



