196 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



April 



are also others having pink, white, and yellow 

 blossoms, but, in general, the awkwardness of 

 the plants prevent their introduction among 

 parlor flowers. 



Calceolaria, or Slipper-wort, from the form 

 of its corolla. Chili and Peru abound in many fine 

 species of this plant. It was first cultivated in 

 1773, and now the varieties and hybrids of the 

 genus are almost innumerable. At first its 

 blossom was of one color only — yellow ; now, 

 we have specimens of almost every shade and 

 tint. The calceolaria is raised easiest from 

 seed ; but cuttings, first rooted in water and 

 then kept from the sun a few weeks, do well. 

 They should be started in May, in a soil of 

 rich light loam mixed with peat and sand ; a 

 layer of broken crockery occujsying the bot- 

 tom of the pot. Give them plenty of sun and 

 air after they begin to grow, and water freely. 

 Tie the centre stem to a stout wire, and prune 

 the side branches to make a symmetrical plant ; 

 or else train it to a frame. It is well to re- 

 pot old calceolarias, every spring, and cut back 

 the branches a few inches, in order to increase 

 their strength. Keep themi in an airy, cool 

 place till September ; then bring them forward 

 gradually. 



Calla ExnioPiCA : Arum, formerly, Aron, 

 is supposed to be an Egyptian name by which 

 this lily was known. It is a native of the 

 Cape of Good Hope, and of the island of St. 

 Helena; where it grows by the side of rivers. 

 This plant requires so much moisture that it is 

 sometimes grown in aquariums, the root being 

 covered by stones to keep it in place. The 

 leaves, when young, are eaten raw in Egypt ; 

 and in that country, as also in the Levant, the 

 root is boiled for food. A cosmetic is made 

 by the French from the dried and powdered 

 root of one species. It is also used in medi- 

 cine, thougli more seldom now than formerly. 

 This beautiful lily, Avith its shining aiTow-shaped 

 leaves, and pure white flower, makes a majes- 

 tic ornament for a window-seat ; or looks finely 

 as the centre of a group of more gaily colored 

 and smaller plants. It is increased by off-sets, 

 that form on its thick, fleshy roots. These 

 should be first placed in small pots, in a soil 

 three parts sandy loam and one of well-rotted 

 leaves, with a handful of pebbles beneath. As 

 the plant increases in size, give it a larger pot 

 every year, with soil prepared as above. Wa- 

 ter frecjuently, for it will not flower if it once 

 becomes dry while in a season of growth. Af- 



ter blooming, the leaves will begin to wither ; 

 then, le^sen the water, giving it only enough 

 to keep it alive. When the leaves are all dead 

 keep the plant dry, and in the dark, about a 

 month, for entire rest ; then re-pot it. As 

 soon as the new leaves have started, set the 

 pot in the sunshine ; and, early in October, 

 bring it within doors ; let it have a warm, sun- 

 ny situation till the flower-bud appears. Re- 

 move, then, to the shade, but keep it where it 

 is light. Supply water abundantly. Let the 

 saucer be always full ; — if it imbibes too much 

 it will be thrown off in drops from the points 

 of the leaves. 



The Camellia Japoxica is one of the most 

 beautiful of house-plants. It takes its name 

 from Kamel — Latinized, Camellus — a INIoravi- 

 aa priest, who travelled in Asia, and was first 

 carried to Europe from Japan, or China, 1739. 

 This flower and the chrysanthemum are favor- 

 ites of the Chinese, and are very frequently 

 introduced into their paintings. In its natural 

 state it grows to a large tree ; and its deep 

 green foliage and elegant blossoms — red, white, 

 yellow, or purplish — sometimes variegated 

 and blotched in color, render it one of the 

 finest objects in an Oriental landscape. The 

 seeds are boiled and crushed to obtain an oil, 

 one kind of which is used for anointing the 

 hair ; others in medicine ; others in cookery. 

 It is to this large family that the tea-plant be- 

 longs ; and many beautiful flowering trees and 

 shrubs. 



The camellia is usually propagated by cut- 

 tings, as it takes a long time for some varieties 

 of the seed to come up. Yet, sometimes, 

 seeds planted in boxes of earth in China 

 will become seedling plants before reaching 

 this country. The cutting should be taken 

 from the base of a leaf, or at a joint, as soon 

 as the wood is ripened, and placed in damp 

 sand, under a glass. From this, when well 

 rooted, transplant to a pot one-third full of 

 broken charcoal covered with dry moss. Lay 

 upon this moss the soil, composed of well- 

 washed river-sand, peat. Light loam, and rotten 

 leaves, in equal proportions, well mixed. When 

 the plants are growing they need a great deal 

 of water, but the leaves will blister and be- 

 come stained if wet when the sun is shining 

 upon them. If kept too dry, the buds will 

 drop off. There is danger that the roots will 

 get matted, so (hey must be re-potted every 

 year. This should be done as early as possi- 



