374 ON THE CAMELLIA AND ITS CULTURE. 



four or five years old. I can see no reason why Camellias 

 should not be raised from seed as extensively in England 

 as elsewhere ; it is merely a question of cost, and there is 

 certainly no finer field open to the experimentalist. 



I now proceed to speak of General Culture. A good 

 base to work upon in the cultivation of any particular 

 plant is furnished by ascertaining the precise conditions 

 under which it exists in its native habitats. We are not 

 bound to follow these conditions slavishly in all the details 

 of practice, but whatever the modifications we introduce 

 we should never lose sight of the natural life of the plant. 

 No doubt the best way to deal with the Camellia is to 

 plant it in a span-roofed house 30 or 40 feet high in 

 the highest part. The top lights of the house should 

 be moveable, and removed during June, July, and 

 August, and a light shading be made to take their place 

 during the day. If the lights cannot be removed, in 

 spring and summer a light shading of tiffany should be 

 run under the glass. Shading is essential during the 

 flowering season, and from the time the young leaves 

 expand. The soil should be effectively drained when the 

 beds are formed. A very slight heating power will suffice, 

 but we cannot altogether exclude this from our calcula- 

 tions. 



But however desirable ground culture may be, the 

 Camellia must remain a pot plant for the many. The 

 chief points demanding attention under this head are 

 re-potting, watering, and pruning. 



Once a year at least, in August, every plant should be 

 turned out of its pot and thoroughly examined. If the 

 soil has worked into the rubble at the base of the pot or 

 tub in such manner as to impede the free egress of water, 

 remove the old rubble and substitute fresh. If any worms 

 are seen pull them out. Examine the ball of earth closely 

 to see that the water has in the past percolated every part 

 of it. If it has not, pierce the ball in various parts with an 

 iron pin in such a manner as not to injure the roots, and 



