The Culture of the Camellia. 215 



pendently of this, however, provided there be no insects, the 

 ordinary syringing is followed up, and a very liberal course 

 of ventilation carried out. 



It will be understood, that I have been describing a course 

 of practice pursued in order to have forced camellias ; that is 

 to say, camellias flowering all through the winter. Perhaps 

 the term "forced camellias" is not strictly applicable; it 

 will, nevertheless, serve to convey an idea of what I mean. 

 By the practice here described, they will commence flower- 

 ing in November, and continue blooming until the following 

 March. 



Now, to ladies and gentlemen who spend their time in the 

 country, as many do, from the autumn until the " London 

 season," the gratification of such a fine winter-house of ca- 

 mellias is very considerable ; for of what benefit is it, in such 

 cases, to have them blooming in April and May, which is the 

 most usual period for those which are not forced. 



To proceed. I do not apply any fire-heat until frosts oc- 

 cur, and then with great moderation indeed. The buds will 

 continue swelling, and unfold, when ripe, in the most gradual 

 way ; and, indeed, on this gradual unfolding much of their 

 size depends. As soon as they commence blossoming, all 

 syringing must immediately cease ; still, however a reasona- 

 ble amount of atmospheric moisture must be kept afloat, yet 

 by no means allowed to condense on the leaves. 



Now, this is a point not easily accomplished, when the 

 dark and frosty days and nights of December arrive : if moist- 

 ure exist in the atmosphere, and fires are used, the vapor 

 will ascend, and in ascending, come in contact with the 

 glass roof, and this, at the low temperature consequent on a 

 sharp frost outside, will condense, and fall in drip on the 

 plants. 



What then is to be done ? I will describe the practice by 

 which I generally avoid the drip. 



In the first place, as to moisture. All watering is per- 

 formed, of course, rather early in the morning, say by ten 

 o'clock. I need scarcely observe, that, under the circum- 

 stances, no attempt is made to raise atmospheric moisture ; 



