208 The Culture of the Camellia. 



There are peculiarities about this charming plant, which 

 mark it out above most other flowers ; and it seems to bid 

 fair to be as enduring, as to its popularity, as the geranium 

 or the rose. 



For although our continental neighbors have poured their 

 thousands and tens of thousands of camellias into the British 

 market ; and although the camellia has been planted against 

 walls out of doors, in all quarters, made to form extensive 

 undergrowths in woods and plantations, and even bedecked 

 the cobbler's stall, yet nobody thinks a well bloomed camellia 

 commonplace in character, or beneath their notice. 



For enlivening the dreary winter months, we know noth- 

 ing equal to it, provided its culture for that period is done 

 justice to. How to do that, according to my opinion, shall 

 form the groundwork of my present observations. 



In order to render my remarks familiar to the amateur, to 

 whom principally I opine they will be useful, I must first 

 premise that, for practical purposes, the culture of the camel- 

 lia, a twelvemonth round, divides itself into five periods ; 

 each of which, under a systematic course of culture, should, 

 according to my notions, be recognized by all good cultiva- 

 tors as distinct in character ; although it may be, some of the 

 features of management, at first sight, appear identical with 

 those of another section. 



The five periods, then, I would entitle as follows : — 



1st period, Forcing into wood. 



2d do. Formation of fltjwer-buds. 



3d do. Maturation of flower-buds. 



4th do. Development of blossoms. 



5th do. Rest, necessary to the first period. 



riRST PERIOD. FORCING INTO WOOD. 



It was long before the true bearing of the policy, as to its 

 connection with successful winter flowering, was understood 

 or appreciated. Indeed, I am not assured that all our camellia 

 growers yet thoroughly recognize its importance. Be that as 

 it may, with me it is the 'keystone,' and I think that I can 

 show a winter-house of camellias, from this period until 



