THE CAMELLIA. 397 



the position of each plant, and then pack the soil in 

 squares of about 3 feet of a suitable nature to each. We 

 have already described the soil we consider best for 

 Camellias when treating of pot plants, and the same 

 materials may be used here, but in a coarser state. Plants 

 of large size should be planted, and when transferring 

 them from the pots or tubs into the ground it will be well 

 to disentangle and spread the outside roots, working 

 a portion of the finer soil amongst them. The soil should 

 be trodden firmly around the old ball of earth, and when 

 the plants are fairly set the earth should be thoroughly 

 soaked with water from a fine rose watering-pot. Septem- 

 ber is perhaps the best month for planting, but it may be 

 done at any time excepting when the new growth is in 

 course of development. If planted in September and once 

 well watered, little further watering will be required till 

 the flowers begin to expand, although a daily syringing of 

 the leaves for the first fortnight afterwards will be likely to 

 prove serviceable. A slight shading here, as elsewhere, is 

 desirable during the periods of flowering and growing, but 

 as other plants in the house may not require this, the 

 Camellia should be attended to individually. Warmth and 

 syringing are also required from the time the new growth 

 commences till it begins to harden, in order to secure 

 a Cull crop of flowers the succeeding year. The buds once 

 set an abundance of air should be given and partial shade 

 still maintained. The season of flowering will depend 

 much on the temperature of the house. As the conserva- 

 tory is usually managed they will appear in gradual 

 succession from December to March. 



The Camellia is a capital wall-plant, thriving well 

 planted out in shaded situations with little light, either in 

 the greenhouse or conservatory. 



ON FORCING. 



Although the natural blooming season of the cultivated 

 varieties of the Camellia is February, March, and April, 



