170 On the Cultivation of Camellias in an open Border. 



covered at night with a mat. I took off the glass when the 

 weather was mild. 



At the end of April, 1820, I removed the frame and 

 glass, and in May the old bark, in order more freely to 

 admit the influence of the sun and rain to the roots. At 

 the approach of winter, 1820, I replaced the spent bark and 

 the frame, and used the glass and mat in hard frosts, as before. 

 In the winter of 1821, I again protected the roots, and used 

 the frame and glass, but no mat. Since that time I have 

 not protected the plants with any thing over their tops, 

 except during heavy snows to prevent their being broken ; 

 but at the approach of each succeeding winter, I covered the 

 roots to the extent of three feet from the stem of each plant, 

 with old decayed leaves, or spent bark, to the depth of ten 

 inches, but removed this covering in the following spring. 



The plants are now vigorous and grow very freely ; they have 

 blossomed every spring from the middle of April to June, 

 and last year the striped and red varieties had about three 

 hundred blossoms upon each bush. The white variety does 

 not grow so freely nor bloom so abundantly as the other kinds. 



It sometimes happens that at the time when the blossoms are 

 expanded, there are a few frosty nights, and if the frost operates 

 strongly on the flowers it turns the petals brown, but when 

 frost is apprehended I place the frames and glasses over the 

 plants, as in winter; this prevents the bloom from being 

 injured. I am, Sir, 



Your very obedient Servant, 



Joseph Harrison. 



Worthy Hall, 

 January 30, 1827. 



