120 



THE CAMELLIA HOUSE. 



band may, from time to time> be loosened, and entirely removed as soon 

 as the scion appears quite established. 



PROPAGATING BY LAYING, 



Is seldom practised miless by nurserymen upon an extensive scale, and 

 v^^ho have Camellia stools planted out in pits, protected during winter by 

 glass, mats, or other covering. The process of laying is performed in 

 spring, and is the same as that practised with other evergreens. The year 

 following, the young plants are taken off the stool, potted, and afterwards 

 used as stocks. 



GENERAL TREATMENT W^HEN IN THE HOUSE. 



In a Camelha house ha\ing a north aspect, was it not that the plants 

 would in most cases stand too crovrded dming the summer, we would 

 prefer to keep them always in ; but in houses having a southern aspect, 

 we would remove them out into the open air dming the heat of sum- 

 mer into a cool shaded situation, for Camellias do not like an excess of 

 heat, whether from the sun or from artificial means. The only season 

 vdien a sUght heat is advantageously apphed is, when they are making 

 their young wood, at which period also they require an extra supply of 

 water, not only at their roots, but over their foUage also. To prolong the 

 flowering season of this splendid family, it might be well to remove a few^ 

 of them in succession into a winery, or cool stove, to forward their bloom- 

 ing, but this must be done at the period when they are making their wood, 

 or rather before that period naturally arrives, say March, or even the end 

 of February ; the intention being to forward the formation of wood, and 

 consequently flower buds also. When the flower buds are formed, they 

 should then be placed in the coolest part of the Camelha house, and less 

 abundantly supplied with water. If three or four sections of plants be so 

 treated, they vriU come into bloom in the same order, and keep up a con- 

 siderable display until the general collection come into bloom at thek 

 natm-al season. 



The Camellia is easily cultivated, the few following rules being attended 

 to viz., never allov,^ them to become too dry at the root, which they are 

 liable to do, particularly if under potted. An extreme of moisture is also 

 to be guarded against. Keep them cool while they are coming into bloom. 



