232 GBEENHOUSE PLANTS. 



varieties then sent home were C. Japonica and C. anemoni- 

 flora, the latter perhaps better known under the name of 

 Red Waratah. Both were introduced from China, where they 

 are great favourites with the inhabitants, the varieties being 

 planted by them very largely in their groves and gardens, 

 where they yield a profusion of gay flowers from October 

 to the beginning of May. The plant has become such a 

 universal favourite with all European horticulturists, that 

 we have come to look upon it as a plant of our own, 

 and not an introduced one. Very few kinds have been 

 imported into this country ; but the work of intercrossing 

 and of raising seedlings has been so diligently and success- 

 fully carried on, that many hundreds of varieties might be 

 enumerated. 



The genus Camellia is nearly related to Thea — indeed, by 

 some authorities the latter is merged into Camellia, so 

 that one might invite one's friends to drink a cup of Ca- 

 mellia, instead of a cup of tea ; it is, however, well known 

 that the leaves of C. arixanqua are used in China to mix 

 with some of the select kinds of tea, to give them a superior 

 flavour. 



Camellias are universally admired for the rich and pleasing 

 contrast afforded by their dark green leaves and their superb 

 double flowers, which latter enliven our greenhouses and 

 conservatories throughout the winter and spring months. 

 The flowers are also extensively used for bouquets and for 

 dressing ladies' hair, for balls and parties ; indeed, the 

 want of fragrance is perhaps the chief thing which prevents 

 the Catnellia from supplanting the Rose in universal admi- 

 ration. 



The soil best adapted for Camellias is a mixture of about 

 equal parts good turfy loam and peat, with a liberal 

 addition of sharp sand. We consider the best time for 



