MONOGRAPHY OF THE GENUS CAMELLIA. 41 



Mr. Soulange Bodin calls this the stifled graft, because the plants, as soon 

 as they are grafted, are put in a very warm bark-pit and covered with a bell- 

 glass, where they have the appearance of being stifled. 



Those who say, that this mode of operating, injures the root of the 

 stock, while it is subjected to the very elevated heat of the hot bed, are 

 completely deceived. We have had, in our possession, many Camellias, 

 which were grafted in this manner several years since, and we have never 

 perceived any disease in them which could have arisen from that cause. We 

 will cite a characteristic fact, in support of this assertion. In January 1830, 

 having made an excursion to Fromont, we selected and brought back, during 

 intensely cold weather, against the advice of the proprietor, and the gardener 

 of that establishment, a dozen little Camellias, which had been grafted ac- 

 cording to the above named process, and recently removed from the hot bed. 

 In spite of all our precautions, we found the earth in the pots entirely con- 

 gealed on our arrival. Still hoping to save them, notwithstanding this fatal 

 accident, which was solely occasioned by our obstinacy, they were carefully 

 kept, the whole of the winter, in a mild and uniform temperature, and in 

 the spring, we had the pleasure of seeing the whole of our Camellias vege- 

 tate vigorously, as if nothing had happened. If the manner in which my 

 friend had treated these young plants, had been pernicious and injured their 

 roots, and especially when the severe cold to which they were subjected 

 was added to that cause, they must inevitably have perished, without the 

 possibility of redemption. 



The Belgic Graft. — This is a lateral mode of grafting, to which the 

 Belgians give the preference, and is performed from spring until autumn. 

 This is the method of operation. A portion of the bark and wood is cut from 

 the side of the stock, and as low as possible, in the same manner as for in- 

 arching. A small scion of one or two inches in length, with one bud and 

 a single leaf on it, is taken from the Camellia, intended to be multiplied, 

 the end cut sloping, on one side only, like a wedge and so placed on the 

 stock, as that the barks of both shall coincide, and then secured with woollen 

 yarn. 



When this operation is completed, the pot containing the engrafted 

 stock, is placed upon its side upon an unheated bark-pit, or dry moss, on 

 which, however, the branches only should rest; then the grafted part is 



