400 THE CAMELLIA. 



part of this has become as sterile as the sand of Sahara. 

 The practised hand will know by the weight of the ball 

 of earth how far this state of things exists, but we know of 

 no rule by which the inexperienced can arrive at correct 

 conclusions. If any doubt exists, the safest way with 

 him is to get an iron pin about the size of a crow-quill and 

 pierce the balls through both perpendicularly and horizon- 

 tally, then place them entirely under water, in tubs or 

 in a pond, and leave them to soak for six hours. By this 

 means the whole mass will be saturated and not likely to 

 become dry again at the centre if watering be henceforth 

 properly attended to. When the plants are put back in 

 the pots or tubs see that perfect drainage is secured, and 

 press the soil firmly at the top so that it may be equally 

 solid from the centre outwards towards the circumference. 

 Now thin out and cut back the branches freely, leaving 

 the plants mere stumps in appearance, but taking care to 

 leave a few shoots or leaves to keep up the action between 

 roots and branches. Next place them in a house, and on 

 the turn of Christmas apply heat and moisture, and if 

 bottom-heat can be given it is a point in their favour, 

 although this latter condition is not absolutely indispens- 

 able. A temperature of 60 by day and 50 by night may 

 be maintained, and the syringe should be used freely 

 morning and evening. About March the new growth will 

 commence. Here and there a solitary eye will start into 

 life, and in some places along the bare stems where no 

 sign of life was previously seen clusters of eyes will rise 

 into being. Now is the time to refashion the plants. 

 Estimate the number of shoots required and mark out the 

 positions they should occupy, rubbing out the surplusage. 

 As growth proceeds and the leaves acquire some size weak 

 liquid manure should be given. From this time forward 

 these plants require the same treatment as that already 

 described for Camellias established in pots. Debilitated 

 and unsightly plants may sometimes be restored in a 

 single year, but it sometimes requires two or three years, 



