TEEATMEXT IN THE HOUSE. 



121 



and dui'ing the period wlien they are so. Keep them rather close, shghtly 

 warrQ, and very moist while making their wood. Give them plenty of 

 pot room, particularly large specimens, but under no cux'umstances plant 

 them out in the borders of the house. Shade them from the sun, and 

 never apply heat to them when coming into flower, nor during the period 

 of flowering, for the buds will neither expand so well, nor will they con- 

 tinue so long in perfection. 



After the flower buds are formed, great cai'e ought to be taken that the 

 plants are not neglected from want of water, even for the shortest time, 

 as if such should be permitted, the flower buds will be certain to fall ofl". 

 Such also would be the case if an undue application be indulged in. We 

 find Mr. Paxton attributes the falling off of the flower buds to another 

 cause, viz., the sudden changes of temperature ; but in our opinion this 

 latter species of mismanagement has less Cifect upon the Camellia than 

 he appears to think. 



" The great reason," says Mr. P., " why the flower buds veiy often fall 

 off, without coming properly into bloom, is, the too sudden changes in 

 the temperatme to which they are exposed ; for instance, when the buds 

 are nearly ready to expand, a sudden heat causes them to push forth too 

 rapidly ; and, on the contrary, a decrease of warmth at that time checks 

 their growth, and, in both cases causes them to fall. It is astonisliing 

 how veiy easily the flower buds, when nearly ready to expand, are acted 

 upon by heat or cold, the variation of only a few degrees will considerably 

 afiect them ; it is therefore absolutely necessary that gi'eat attention should 

 be paid to them at that time, particularly if it be in the winter season ; 

 in the spring so much care is not required, as in general each succeding 

 day is a little warmer than its predecessor ; but in the winter months, 

 when the weather is so changeable, and the plants are only excited by 

 artificial means, the greatest care is requisite, in order to keep them from 

 advancing too much, and also not to allow the temperatm'e to decrease, 

 for fear of the flower buds falling ofi"." 



Camelhas may be forced so as to produce their flowers at almost any 

 period of the year. 



GENERAL TREATMENT WHEN OUT OF DOORS. 



Having already stated our opinion upon the propriety of keeping 

 Camellias at all seasons under glass, when the structure they are intended 

 to inhabit is properly adapted for them, it only remains for us to observe, 



