26 MONOGRAPHY OF THE GENUS CAMELLIA. 



finished its first growth, — when the new wood is ripe, and when the buds 

 have all appeared, which generally arrives at the end of June. The Camel- 

 lia does not like the full influence of the sun's rays, but on the contrary is 

 pleased with a shady position and a free circulation of air. A northern ex- 

 posure, where the first beams of the rising sun fall upon it, is the most eli- 

 gible. If placed in a sunny position the buds are too rapidly formed, and 

 the florescence is less beautiful, even if they are complete in their develop- 

 ment. The same precaution is to be observed in removing the Camellia from 

 the green-house, as with all other plants, which are there cultivated. The 

 most important, is a shady and airy position j the most congenial kind of pro- 

 tection from the sun is a live hedge or a range of cedars, (Thuya Orientalis 

 or Arbor Vitse,) placed from eight to ten feet apart. The latter have the 

 advantage of offering, by their evergreen foliage, the most desirable kind of 

 protection, and have also a beautiful appearance, as by proper management, 

 they can be made to form a sufficiently compact screen. With such a pro- 

 tected position, neither the injurious effects of the violence of the sun's 

 rays, the winds, rain storms, or even the ravages of frost are to be feared. 



We are in the habit of allowing to the Camellia, the advantages of such 

 an exposition, until the end of August. Early in September, this plant 

 should be exposed to the influence of the sun, during a greater portion of the 

 morning, and even until near noon, and be so left, until it is returned to the 

 green-house. This warm exposure confirms the last efforts of vegetation, 

 consolidates the buds, and thus insures to the culivator the pleasure he an- 

 ticipated, as the reward for all the cares he had bestowed, on this admired 

 plant. 



The restoration of the Camellia to the green-house. — The heavy rains 

 of autumn, which are cold and frequent, enervate the Camellia, and always 

 render the success of a complete and satisfactory florescence doubtful. The 

 plants should, therefore, be restored to the green-house as soon as the rainy 

 season commences, and especially, as the nights become cold, although the 

 days may still be warm, for this remarkable difference of temperature, is 

 injurious to the shrubs and should, therefore, induce the amateur to restore 

 them early in October, or later if the season is mildj and he should always 

 select the most pleasant day, for this operation. 



