ox REARING FLOTCRS. 



175 



the bud state, without ever expanding. This unfortunate 

 circumstcince is caused, in a great measure, by the varia- 

 tions of temperature to which they are subjected while 

 the flower-buds are forming, and partly by either a lack 

 or superfluity of water at this season. To obviate this 

 it is necessary to pay particular attention to them after 

 they have ceased flowering, and during the gro^.ving 

 season, at which time the flower-buds are usually formed. 

 As soon as their flowers have fallen, they should be 

 potted into larger pots, as they may respectively require, 

 in a compost consisting of one-half sandy loam, one- 

 fourth peat or heath-soil, and the rest of well-rotted 

 manure, or leaf-mould, and white sand. After being 

 potted, they should be placed in the window of a 

 dwelling-room, where a fire is usually ke'pt. and watered 

 with great care, never allowing them to become too dry 

 or too wet. As long as they continue growing, and 

 until the flower-buds are properly formed, they should 

 remain in the situation above alluded to, and never be 

 removed to the open air. They should be allowed as 

 much light as can be afforded them, without permitting 

 the sun to shine directly upon them, which latter cir- 

 cumstance should be avoided throughout the whole 

 period of their growth, as camellias cannot endure the 

 immediate mys of the sun without being injured. "When 

 their growth is completed, and the flower-buds perfectly 

 formed, the plants may be removed to the open air in a 

 shaded (not exposed) situation, but they must be retained 

 in the pots, and removed again to the Avindow of a 

 dwelling-room upon the first appearance of frost. From 

 this time till the period of flowering, particular attention 

 should be paid to watering them carefully, and if this 

 operation is properly and judiciously performed, they 

 will never shed theii' flowers, unless they are allowed to 

 be injured by frost, or too severe cold. Throughout the 

 growing season, the leaves and branches should be 

 frequently sprinkled or syringed with water, and the 

 leaves should also be sponged as often as dust or filth, 

 accumulates on them. The best mode of propagating 

 them is by inarching, which must be performed by an 

 experienced gardener. Some of the common sorts are 



