CALLA — CAMELLIAS — CANNAS 861 



The plant will thrive all the better at this time if the pot is placed 

 in a saucer of water. In fact, the calla will grow well in an 

 aquarium. 



The calla may be grown through the entire year, but it will prove 

 more satisfactory, both in leaf and flower, if rested through part of the 

 summer. This may be done by laying the pots on their sides in a dry 

 shady place under shrubbery, or if in the open slightly covered with 

 straw or other litter to keep the roots from becoming extremely dry. 

 In September or October they may be shaken out, cleaning off all the 

 old soil, and repotted, as already mentioned. The offsets may be 

 taken off and set in small pots and given a year's growth, resting them 

 the second year and having them in flower that winter. 



The spotted calla has variegated foliage and is a good plant for mixed 

 collections. This blooms in the spring, which will lengthen the season 

 of calla bloom. The treatment of this is similar to that of the com- 

 mon calla. 



Camellias are half-hardy woody plants, blooming in late winter and 

 spring. Years ago camellias were very popular, but they have been 

 crowded out by the informal flowers of recent times. Their time will 

 come again. 



During the blooming season keep them cool — say not over 50° at 

 night and a little higher by day. When blooming is done they begin 

 to grow; then give them more heat and plenty of water. See that they 

 are well ripened by winter with large plump flower-buds. If they 

 are neglected or kept too dry during their growing season (in summer) 

 they wiU drop their buds in fall. The soil for camellias should be 

 fibrous and fertile, compounded of rotted sod, leafmold, old cow 

 manure, and sufficient sand for good drainage. Always screen them 

 from direct sunlight. Do not try to force them in early winter, after 

 the growth has ceased. Their summer quarters may be in a pro- 

 tected place in the open air. 



Camellias are propagated by cuttings in winter, which should give 

 blooming plants in two years. 



Cannas are among the most ornamental and important plants used 

 in decorative gardening. They make fine herbaceous hedges, groups, 



