THE CAMELLIA. 387 



be that the soil becomes soddened from insufficient drain- 

 age or too much water when the plants are not growing 

 or flowering. 



4. Why are the leaves of Camellias yellow ? Answer, 

 Because grown in an unsuitable soil, or kept too dry 

 when flowering and growing, or too wet when in a state 

 of comparative rest. 



5. Why do the flowers of Camellias expand indifferently ? 

 Answer, It is with Camellias as with Roses, some kinds 

 Valtavaredo, for example are so full, or the petals are 

 so tightly folded, that the flowers will not expand fully in 

 our climate without the aid of heat. However healthy 

 and satisfactory the plants may otherwise be, such kinds 

 require more heat and moisture than is good for others 

 so soon as the buds show colour. But the same pheno- 

 menon is sometimes met with even in kinds not over 

 double. The cause, then, is unsuitability of soil, or too 

 much or too little water. 



6. Why do the flowers drop off before expansion ? 

 Answer, This is natural to some kinds, of which the 

 Waratah is an example, and such kinds should be avoided. 

 In other cases the causes are similar to those which bring 

 about indifferent expansion, namely, bad soil and injudi- 

 cious management of watering. 



In framing the above answers we have not overlooked 

 the fact that different phenomena may have their founda- 

 tion in one and the same cause. But we have put the 

 matter before our readers in this way in order that they 

 may find a direct and simple answer to questions which 

 are continually being put to us. 



Before proceeding to discuss the cultivation of Camellias 

 in pots and Camellias planted out each of which systems 

 will be followed under a separate heading let us en- 

 deavour to give the reader a distinct conception of the 

 nature of the plant with which he has to deal. 



The Camellia is an evergreen shrub, a native of China 

 and Japan, and the nearer we can approach the climate of 



