394 THE CAMELLIA. 



When the plants are removed from the house to be 

 placed out-of-doors, the smaller sizes may be tied out, and 

 the branches of the larger ones drawn into such positions 

 as may seem desirable, by drawing them downwards or 

 side-ways, fastening the ligatures of bast to the strong side 

 branches or the main stem. We do not advocate much 

 tying for either small or large plants, but a stick here and 

 there, and the occasional drawing aside of a branch may 

 be done in such manner that the contour of the plant is 

 improved, without introducing an objectionable formality. 



PRUNING. 



With regard to pruning, there is a diversity of opinion 

 as to the season at which it may be performed with the 

 greatest advantage. So long as the plants retain their 

 health and symmetry it is unnecessary to prune them at 

 all ; but if they lose it, this is one means by which either 

 may be restored. September is in our opinion the best 

 month for pruning ; if done at that season the dormant 

 eyes to which we are looking for the formation of new 

 growth become well stored with food by the time the new 

 growth commences, and stronger and sounder shoots are 

 the results. But then by pruning in September you may 

 have to cut away the flower-buds and thus the season's 

 bloom is sacrificed. If the flowers cannot be spared, prune 

 in March immediately after the flowering is over, before 

 the new growth commences. It is best, if possible, to 

 restrict the pruning to wood of the previous year's growth, 

 as it is often difficult to induce the eyes to push into shoots 

 from old wood. 



Camellias have their enemies in the shape of aphis, bug, 

 and scale. Aphis may be kept under by the use of 

 tobacco-smoke, and bug and scale may be destroyed by 

 brushing the parts where they post themselves with 

 paraffin. Cleanliness in all operations here is a preventive 

 which pays well in the long run, and no serious injury is 

 likely to occur when it is properly attended to. 



