'iS MONOGRAPHY OF THE GENUS CAMELLIA. 



and unhealthy, the vital principle of its organization is deteriorated, and it 

 soon perishes. 



We have thought, however, that this flower might be enjoyed for a long- 

 time, in private apartments, if it could be isolated from the influence of the 

 fire and the mephitic exhalations of the human body, by the means of glass. 

 Place for example, some shelves, like steps, against one of the walls of the 

 room, on which may be stood pots containing several varieties of the Camel- 

 lia in bloom, and, enclose these steps in a glazed frame. The plants would 

 not suffer in such a secure position, and the flowers would have a most inter- 

 esting and pleasing effect. Attention will be requisite, to give them air. 

 in the morning, before the fires are made in the roomj and when the flo- 

 rescence has ceased, they should be replaced in a green-house or what is still 

 better, in a glazed hot bed. 



Camellias in bloom, might be enclosed between double windows pre- 

 pared for that purpose, when the thickness of the walls of the house is such 

 as to allow sufficient space j and if the aspect is a southern one so much the 

 better. The flowers and the verdure would be very brilliant in such an 

 exposition, as they would be completely protected from the dust, and besides 

 the plant could not be injured by its removal from the green-house into a 

 habitation so favorably situated, for the complete preservation of its health. 



Section 1 1 . — The cultivation of the Camellia in unconfined earth. 



The Camellia, when placed in unconfined earth, whether in a conserva- 

 tory, green-house or a hot bed, grows rapidly and in a few years becomes 

 very much extended, and blooms easily and abundantly j but if attention is 

 not paid to having a proper drainage, to allow the water to pass off from the 

 roots, or if it is entirely deprived of the contact of the open air, — especially 

 in summer, the earth in which it is planted, is deteriorated, the roots putrefy, 

 the plant is stripped of its leaves, and perishes. 



To avoid this sad result of negligence, it is essential, before transplanting 

 the Camellia into unconfined earth, to prepare the soil where it is to stand, 

 in such a manner that the water shall not remain stagnant around its roots, 

 which can easily be done, by first placing at the bottom of the space, where 

 it is intended to set out the plant, some gravel, and over that a few inches 

 of sandj and it is also advisable to put over the sand, the roots and vegetable 



