332 
CULTURE OF THE CAMELLIA. 
casting their buds : and why ? simply because they are in a better condition to form buds 
than to maintain them afterwards. This often happens with the amateur, yet seldom with 
the nurseryman ; and this because the former is not aware how much moisture is at times 
necessary to the Camellia ; and if pot-bound, how often the interior of the ball, wedged up 
with hundreds of fibres, can scarcely be penetrated without steeping it occasionally, 
especially if through any neglect of watering the ball has become thoroughly dry. This, 
then, amongst other circumstances, show^s that a systematic course is necessary, and that 
directions for the amateur should be very explicit ; so much so indeed that old practitioners 
will be apt to consider them tedious. 
It must not be thought that in thus noticing in a digressive way watering, this period 
in Camellia culture requires more water than any other ; I name it here to pave the way to 
suggestions for a more liberal amount of pot-room, for such is quite compatible with free 
flowering, provided the cultivator exercises that control over his plants during the latter 
part of this stage, which a niggardly application of water will furnish. 
In the earlier part of this stage a slight decline in the temperature may take place, 
60° will amply suffice ; more solar heat, however, will frequently compel the cultivation to 
stand at a higher pitch. Shading must be continued as before, and the only difference 
requisite is a free circulation of air, night as well as day, and a gradual diminishing of the 
amount of water, until the incipient blossom bud attains a decided character, which it will 
do in four or five weeks. It may here be understood that I intend a temporary check, 
yet not such a check as may interfere with the health of the plant, or the size of its 
foliage ; such a check may be decried by minds unprepared for, and indisposed to a nicety 
in culture : I, however, advise no more than I have proved for many years. 
A too severe check would materially impair the size of the foliage ; I have, however, 
constantly found that the most luxuriant foliage may be obtained, and blossom buds as 
well, provided the root is in a sound and healthy condition : without this — as indeed with 
all other modes of culture — all niceties of atmospheric management must fall to the 
ground. As Mr. Barnes once observed in regard to the culture of the Pine, the main 
point is to cultivate them with plenty of live roots. 
I would here advert, however, to the importance of supplying abundance of atmospheric 
moisture whilst the temporary check is going on ; this it is which prevents loss of size in 
the foliage, and I may add, loss of colour also. 
I may here observe that this check, through a very moderate allowance of water, is 
carried so far with a somewhat gross subject, as to permit the plant to flag a little 
occasionally. When the roots are healthy, I find no injurious consequences result from 
it : I may observe, however, that this is not permitted until the leaves have attained nearly, 
or quite their full size. 
Liquid manure is, of course, entirely withheld during this stage or period ; and after the 
checking system has been persisted infer a few weeks, most of the shoots will begin to show 
twin buds at their terminal points, or even three or four, as the case may be. Nothing more 
is necessary than to be very cautious in the return to a liberal watering, of which I shall 
speak in the next period. It may here be observed, that before a more liberal course of 
treatment is had recourse to, most of the young shoots should show the twin buds before 
alluded to, one of which is the true terminal wood bud, and the other an incipient blossom 
bud, of which more will subsequently be developed as the young wood becomes mature. 
Third Period, — Maturation of flower-huds. 
The horticultural tyro must not fancy that the periods here alluded to are as definitely 
detached as the divisions of my remarks. As may be inferred, they gradually merge into 
each other ; this period, therefore, may be characterised as fairly commencing when the 
flower-buds are as large as peas ; then it is my practice to commence a course of liquid 
manure. The characters of this will be hereafter described. 
At the commencement of this stage a more liberal amount of watering may be 
commenced, observing to apportion its amount according to the character of growth ; 
