ON THE CAMELLIA AND ITS CULTURE. 371 



The health of the Camellia is much influenced by sun- 

 shine and shade. Some of the most remarkable specimens 

 for foliage I ever met with were planted by myself against 

 a west wall out of doors in my own neighbourhood, many 

 years ago, in a spot where the sun scarcely ever reached 

 them. Shade is necessary during the season of growth, 

 for without it few or many of the leaves, according to the 

 style of the house or the quality of the glass, will become 

 burnt or blistered. The flowers should also be shaded 

 when in bloom. When growth ceases, and the young 

 shoots become partly hardened and the next year's bloom 

 is set, the best climate is that out of doors. Remove the 

 plants from the house, say in June, to a north border, where 

 they get the morning sun only, leaving them there till the 

 middle of September, when they should be carried back 

 to the house before the soil becomes saturated with the 

 autumnal rains. These latter remarks, of course, apply 

 only to plants in pots. But where the plants are in the 

 ground under glass, nearly the same effects of climate 

 may be secured by shading and giving air. In a few 

 words, I repeat the climate of England is very near to the 

 best that the Camellia can have. The plant should be 

 treated as a hardy evergreen with two slight exceptions 

 we should hold in our hands, by means of glass structures, 

 the power of moderating a severe winter should it occur, 

 and the power of giving a slightly higher temperature 

 than that of our climate during the growing season in 

 spring. 



I have often been asked, " How is it that Camellias 

 received from abroad, so vigorous and healthful in ap- 

 pearance when they arrive, almost invariably deteriorate 

 in this country ? " Some attribute it to climate, others 

 to soil. In my judgment it is due to the forcing system 

 they have previously been subjected to. These plants 

 are grown for too long a period in a hot, moist, shady 

 climate with the view of obtaining the largest possible 

 plants in the shortest possible time. The hue which 



